AUS-ION™ Care Guide

AUS-ION™ pans are perfect for everyday cooking tasks like frying, grilling, roasting, and stir-frying. They're naturally non-stick, durable, and designed for generations of use. Suitable for all heat sources.

1. Pre-seasoned for your convenience. Your pan comes seasoned, so you can start cooking straight out of the box!
2. Your pan does not have a coating. Your new iron pan is naturally seasoned with only rice bran oil. It'll change with every cook!
3. A patchy pan is normal. Don't worry if your surface looks patchy—this is normal and doesn't impact performance. These pans are designed to be workhorses, and your seasoning will evolve with every use.
4. Don't be scared, dive in and start cooking! (Though we recommend giving it a quick wash before first use). This is your new forever, indestructible workhorse. You'll soon get to know each other and be best cooking buds in no time!

Quick Navigation Menu

• Cooking Tips & Tricks
• Cleaning Your AUS-ION™ Pans
• Key to a Non-Stick Surface
• Utensils, Oils, and Heat Sources

Achieve and maintain a non-stick surface with your AUS-ION™ pans:

1. Pre-heat Slowly: Heat your pan on low to medium heat. Add oil or fat once the pan is warm, and let it heat up before adding food.
2. Use Plenty of Fat/Oil and Cook Fatty Foods Frequently: Use butter or oils generously, and cook fatty foods like bacon or sausages regularly whilst your pan is new. This will help build and strengthen the seasoning layer, ensuring better non-stick performance.
3. Avoid Acidic Foods Early On: Tomatoes, lemons, and similar ingredients can affect young seasoning. Gradually introduce acidic foods as your pan's seasoning develops.
4. Control Heat: Avoid overheating your pan, as this can erode the seasoning. Adjust the heat level based on what you're cooking—lower for eggs and fish, higher for steaks.
5. Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Cold food, especially meats, can stick to the pan. Let ingredients come to room temperature and pat dry to remove excess moisture.
6. Don't Flip Too Soon: Food will release naturally when it's ready. Be patient and avoid forceful flipping.

Cleaning after use:

1. Rinse with hot water immediately after use.
2. Scrub or scrape off any residual food or oil, ensuring a completely smooth surface (soap optional).
3. Dry thoroughly with a towel or by placing the pan on low heat (oven or stovetop) to evaporate moisture.
4. While your pan is young, apply a very thin layer of oil to protect the seasoning.
5. Store dry - never leave your pan damp.

Avoid:

• Leaving your pan to drip dry, wet or soaking in water.
• Dishwashers - hand wash only.
• Storing food in iron pans for extended periods of time.

Tips for Stubborn Issues:

• Rust: Scrub with a mixture of coarse salt and oil until smooth, then re-season.
• Stuck Food: Boil water in the pan to loosen stuck-on bits before cleaning.
• Burnt Spots: Use a paste of baking soda and water, scrub gently, and rinse thoroughly.
• Marinades: Marinades can be prone to caramelise and stick. For really stubborn marinades, simmer water on low until marinade has lifted.

Looking for the best tools to maintain and season your cookware? Explore our Seasoning & Care Kit.

1. Start with Low-to-Medium Heat: High heat can damage seasoning. Gradually preheat your pan and add oil or fat once it's warm.
2. Maintain a Smooth Surface: Bumps and rough patches on your surface act as velcro to food. Simply scrape or scrub any rough patches off to keep your pan smooth to the touch.
3. Let Food Release Naturally: Don't rush to flip or move food. Allow it to release on its own when ready.
4. Cook Fatty Foods Frequently: Foods like bacon or sausages help strengthen the seasoning layer and build a naturally non-stick surface.
5. Avoid Overheating: Too much heat can erode seasoning. Adjust your burner settings based on the cooking task.
6. Re-season When Needed: If food starts sticking, reapply a thin layer of oil and heat gently to refresh the surface.

With these simple steps, your AUS-ION™ pan will deliver a seamless, non-stick experience every time. Check out the below video of scrambled eggs in a brand new AUS-ION™ pan!

What Utensils Should I Use?

Unlike synthetic coated pans, you don't have to worry about scratching AUS-ION™. You can use any kind of utensil, including metal, wood, plastic, or silicone. For sustainability and hygiene, we recommend using metal utensils.

What Oils Should I Use?

For seasoning, we recommend rice bran oil, or our Iron Love Seasoning Balm for the best results. Other suitable options include grapeseed oil, flaxseed oil, canola oil, and lard—essentially any oil or fat with a high smoke point. Avoid olive oil for seasoning due to its low smoke point.

Heat Sources

AUS-ION™ pans are highly conductive, making them suitable for all heat sources, including induction. Use lower heat settings—medium is often your new high. For induction, avoid using the boost setting, as it can overheat the pan. Always match the burner size to the pan for optimal performance.

AUS-ION™ is made from clean Australian iron. Like traditional cast iron, it develops a healthy, naturally non-stick surface as you build and maintain its seasoning. It's perfect for everyday cooking tasks like frying, grilling, roasting, stir-frying, and more. While you can cook almost anything in AUS-ION™, acidic foods and liquids may erode the seasoning over time. Thankfully, the beauty of seasoned iron is that it's forever renewable!

Our nöni™ range, on the other hand, is crafted from ferritic, non-nickel stainless steel. It doesn't require seasoning and is exceptionally low maintenance. It's ideal for boiling, slow cooking, acidic sauces, and other liquid-based dishes.

AUS-ION™ and nöni™ complement each other perfectly, covering all your cooking needs.

AUS-ION™ cookware is built to last for generations. Whether you're searing steaks or flipping pancakes, our pans deliver outstanding results with proper care and use.

Explore our AUS-ION™ range HERE. Still stuck? Check out our FAQs.