Using Your Pre-Seasoned Iron Pan for the First Time

Your pan is ready to use straight away. Simply wash it in hot water (no soap or detergent), dry thoroughly, and begin cooking. For best results, we recommend applying an extra coating of flax oil before first use. This helps deepen the seasoned layer and improves performance over time.

Re-Seasoning Your Iron Pan at Home

Re-seasoning is simple and restores your pan to a smooth, naturally non-stick finish.

To re-season:

• If rust is present, remove it using fine sandpaper or steel wool.
• Remove the oak handle covers and wash the pan in very hot, soapy water.
• Scrub with a stiff brush or scouring pad and dry thoroughly.
• Using a clean cotton rag, apply a very thin layer of flax oil to all surfaces. Thin coats work best.
• Place the pan on an oven rack with a tray beneath to catch any drips.
• Slowly heat the oven to approximately 250°C (480°F or Gas Mark 8).
• Once at temperature, bake for 1 hour, then switch off the oven and allow the pan to cool slowly inside.
• Store the pan in a dry, well-ventilated space.

Using Your Iron Pan Daily

• Always preheat your pan before cooking to reduce food sticking.
• Bring cold food to room temperature before adding it to the hot pan.
• Remember, iron retains heat — always use oven gloves if handle covers are not fitted.
• Avoid very cold water on hot pans to prevent warping.

Cooking Acidic Foods

Acidic ingredients like tomatoes, citrus, vinegar or wine can affect the seasoning.

Tips:

• Re-season the pan before cooking acidic recipes.
• If rust appears, follow the re-seasoning instructions above.

Cleaning Your Iron Pan

• Never place your iron pan in the dishwasher.
• Do not plunge a hot pan into cold water — this may warp the metal.
• Clean with a stiff plastic brush and hot water only.
• Avoid using soap or detergents.
• If food is stuck, try gently boiling water in the pan to loosen it.
• Dry immediately and thoroughly — never allow the pan to air-dry.

Caring for Oak Handle Covers

• Oak covers reduce heat transfer but must be kept away from direct flames or high heat.
• Always remove handle covers when using the pan in the oven or under a grill.
• To remove, unscrew both brass screws with a screwdriver (turn anti-clockwise).
• Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Do not soak.
• When replacing, align with the holes and reinsert the screws (turn clockwise). Do not overtighten.

Best Oils for Re-Seasoning

• Use: Edible flax oil (also called linseed oil)
• Avoid: Olive oil, nut oils (not effective), boiled linseed oil (not edible)

Storing Your Pan

• Store in a dry, airy place.
• Do not cover the pan tightly — trapped moisture can cause rust.

All Netherton pans are handmade, so each one is unique. They will not all be as flat as a billiard table.

To maintain pan flatness and warranty cover, follow these steps:

• Every time you use the pan, heat SLOWLY from a LOW setting, before selecting high or full power.
• Use a hob/ring the same size as the pan base; small hobs/rings will warp big pans.
• Never drop a hot pan into cold water; this will buckle it.

Cooking guidance and tips:

• Oil the food, not the pan, and allow ingredients to reach room temperature before cooking
• Heat slowly to frying temperature before increasing power, especially on powerful hobs like induction
• Use a hob the same size as the pan base; small rings can warp large pans
• Oven seasoning is preferred for a more even finish; hob top seasoning is suitable for smaller pans or re-seasoning
• Wooden or silicone utensils are recommended to protect the seasoned surface
• Avoid dropping a hot pan into cold water to prevent warping

Every pan is hand-spun, so slight variations in flatness are natural. Oak handles are individually branded and unique, and each pan develops a richer patina with use.

Netherton Foundry is a proudly family-owned business in the heart of South Shropshire, once known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Where smokestacks once dominated the skyline, today there is a gentler rhythm to life, but the legacy of innovation remains.

Drawing deep inspiration from Shropshire’s iron masters of the 18th and 19th centuries, especially Abraham Darby, the pioneer behind the world’s first iron bridge, Netherton Foundry blends traditional craftsmanship with a modern environmental conscience. Their work reimagines the spirit of that extraordinary era, honouring its ingenuity while being mindful of the environmental lessons it left behind.

Each product is a celebration of heritage, quality, and sustainability, reflecting a time when things were made to last and made with care.