IlsaHeat Diffuser, 8 1/4in, Black

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.

Unlike the flimsy heat diffusers I have been forced to purchase in the past, this item looks like it will hold up well, and does a beautiful job of diffusing the heat. I never put anything but a small flame under it, so don't know if it will stand up to a very hot burner. One star off for the handle -although usable - seems inadequate and clumsy for moving the diffuser while in use.

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 have a DCS gas stove with big burners. I think they are 14000 or 16000 btu. Each burner does have a simmer setting and the flame is quite low. However after simmering for a few minutes, things still start to boil at a rate that, to me, is too high. It doesn't matter if I use stainless, enameled iron or cast iron, I couldn't get a nice low simmer. With this diffuser, I can set the burner on simmer and get a very nice low simmer all across the pan.I don't care in the least if the enamel flakes off, however mine hasn't. The little handle is nice to have too.The underside has a ring that channels some of the heat to the center. The rest heats the rest of the plate. Like I said, I'm getting a very slow simmer all across the whole pan. It's wonderful.

Works great! Exactly what we were looking for.

Do wouldn't think that there could be much to say about, or much difference between, the metal disks that reduce heat to a pot. But you'd be wrong. I spent a lot of time researching these, 'cause previous diffusers didn't work for me - they were flimsy, the stews still burned on the bottom of the pot, and they wore out around the wooden handle. I needed something really heavy duty. But most important, I needed something that would sit totally flat on the burner -- because my stew pot is enormous and overlaps the burner and all diffusers. That means I had to be careful about any handle. This item is TOTALLY GREAT. The handle detaches with just a squeeze, so it doesn't get in the way of the pot, and is not used except to remove the hot diffuser when I'm done with it. The diffuser itself is very heavy duty -- now my stews don't stick and burn on the bottom. Yeah.