Heat Diffuser, 8 1/4in, Black

I needed something for warming my keto pots in such a way that they wouldn't boil and burn with hot-spots from my gas range. No matter how low I'd set the gas, it would eventually make the pot boil. When I make a 3-quart stock-pot full of chicken thighs, sausages, stock, spices, and lots of different kinds of vegetables, one pot can last me for five meals. Great for losing weight and/or keeping it off but when it boils it doesn't taste as good for those last few meals. This plate is absolutely perfect for warming anything from low to medium heat and looks brand-new after repeated uses. I don't think you need one for high-heat type use, just cook over the naked flame for that, but for warming and simmering things, this plate is perfect. Bonus: The cast-in ridges on the bottom really grip the range-top grate beautifully and creates a rock-solid base for your pot or pan. Excellent product!

I have both sizes of the Ilsa diffuser- the 8.25 and the 7 inch. Although I already have solid electric elements on my 'antique' canning stove, I wanted a bit more protection from direct heat for my Pillivuyt cookware. I don't cook foods quickly and prefer to cook them on a lower heat very slowly. These do take a few minutes to heat up but if you're patient chef, you won't mind. My pillivuyt cookware performs exceptionally well with these. I also have a Tagine that performs well with these. I usually turn the stove on and let the diffuser warm while I'm preparing food. I wanted to note that while the 7" fits like a glove over my small stove element, the 8.25 does not and sits on top of the large element creating a slight air space between heat source and diffuser (The small 7" surface makes direct contact with the solid element on my stove) Despite the 8.5 inch larger size, the bottom rim that it sits on is the exact same size as the 7 inch. The only difference is that the larger size has an additional rim on the surface that extends beyond the 7" bottom rim. The overall size is the same diameter of my large element but again, it sits on top of the element and the top surface does not make direct contact with the existing element which is fine and that's what they are meant to do. It's just that I had hoped they would because I was trying to disguise the older ( unattractive) elements on my stove. Hope that makes sense. I'm not exactly certain why they put a hole in the center of the large diffuser. maybe someone else could answer that. These are also great for keeping food warm without burning.

This thing is made for a gas stove and no matter what they claim, it works best only on a gas stove to reduce the heat to a low simmer. Our stove is too hot and this diffuses the heat to take it to a lower temp than the stove would otherwise allow. The hole in the middle works to direct some of the heat to the center of the pan and the diffuser is made of heavy cast iron with an enamel glaze. We have tried other diffusers and this one works as well as the ones that come with the stove.

This is fine but I find it doesn’t distribute the heat enough. It helps when things simmer, but the heat still seems concentrated. I have a large stock pot that Does a better job for simmering.

Our gas stove works perfectly, and we can adjust the heat over a considerable range. Gas burners and our enameled, cast iron Dutch ovens are a perfect match. But. When we cook apples for applesauce and fruit leather; beans for everything; pumpkins and other winter squash for pies and soups; tomatoes for sauce and soup -- we want that lowest flame diffused for very gentle heat under the bottoms of the pots. This diffuser does not reduce the heat; it expands the heat over a broader area. In other words, it reduces hot spots inherent even with the lowest gas flames, and on smaller electric burners. This plate has a durable enamel finish, has not needed cleaning after 3 months of daily use. The "teeth" on the bottom keep it in place over the burner. If this sounds like a crock pot system, remember that most crock pots have but two heat settings. With this diffuser, we eliminate the hot spots over a wide range of heat for pots of many sizes. A "must have" for the serious cook with a gas stove.

I can now make a wonderful pot of beans (and more) in my artisanal earthenware pot right on my electric stove top burners and with no worries. Thanks so much!!

This worked great for my propane gas stove burner for making applesauce in a 20-quart stainless steel stockpot. I like the ridges on the bottom - they fit over my burner grate nicely. Without this device for spreading the heat, the apples would burn on the bottom of the pot before they cooked down enough to be able to stir the pot. Without this device, had to spend well over an hour scrubbing off the large burned on area. With is cast iron heat diffuser, there was a small spot where food was starting to burn on. But it was rather loose and came off vary easily. Would have preferred a diffuser design without its center hole. The only problem I had with this product was how it was packaged. It comes in a nice cardboard display box that I would have liked to used for storing this item. However, it was shipped in a long & narrow shipping box along with another item I had ordered. The package was not properly stuffed, and the diffuser was able to slide around inside the shipping package. This cause the weight of the cast iron diffuser to break through the top and bottom of the device's cardboard display box.

Love it.