Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — all Aditi Kitchenware cast iron products are pre-seasoned with food-grade vegetable oil before dispatch. You can start cooking right away. We recommend doing one additional seasoning round (wiping with oil and heating on the stove) after the first rinse for best results.

We recommend avoiding soap. Modern dish soap is milder than it used to be, so occasional soap use won't ruin a well-seasoned pan — but regular use strips the seasoning layer over time. Hot water and a stiff brush (or chain mail scrubber) clean cast iron perfectly without soap. Always dry immediately after washing.

Not at all — rust is completely normal and fully reversible. Scrub the rust off with steel wool or coarse salt mixed with oil. Rinse, dry thoroughly on the stove, then re-season with a thin coat of oil baked at 200°C for an hour. Your pan will be as good as new. Cast iron that has sat rusty for years has been successfully restored.

If you're cooking regularly with oil and drying properly after each wash, you may never need to formally re-season. The pan seasons itself with every use. Formal re-seasoning (oven method) is only needed if the surface looks dull and food is sticking, or if rust appears.

No — never. Dishwashers use prolonged water exposure and harsh detergents that will strip all seasoning and cause immediate rusting. Cast iron must always be hand-washed.

Yes, but only once the pan is well-seasoned (after 15–20 uses). Acidic foods can strip seasoning from a new or poorly seasoned pan, and may pick up a slight metallic taste. Once the seasoning layer is thick and established, acidic Indian curries — including rasam, sambar, and tomato-based gravies — cook beautifully in cast iron.

Yes — all Aditi Kitchenware cast iron products are fully compatible with induction cooktops, gas stoves, electric coil stoves, and ovens. Cast iron is naturally magnetic, which is required for induction cooking.

Yes — cast iron is oven-safe up to very high temperatures (250°C+). It's perfect for recipes that start on the stovetop and finish in the oven. However, if your pan has a wooden handle, avoid placing it in the oven.

Yes — cast iron is completely safe and in fact beneficial. Unlike non-stick pans that can release PTFE fumes when overheated, cast iron is 100% chemical-free. Cooking in cast iron adds a small amount of dietary iron to food, which is beneficial — especially for pregnant women who are often iron-deficient.

Most sticking issues come from one of three causes: (1) the pan wasn't preheated long enough — cast iron needs 3–5 minutes to heat evenly; (2) insufficient oil was used; or (3) the seasoning layer is still new and hasn't built up enough. Start with oil-rich cooking for the first several uses and the surface will improve noticeably.

We recommend our 11-inch Smooth Dosa Tawa or 12-inch Smooth Tawa with Silicone Sleeve. The flat surface allows you to spread batter thinly, and the smooth finish gives the best non-stick performance for dosas and uttapam.

For a family of 2–3: our 8-inch Kadhai is ideal. For families of 4–6: the 10-inch is the most popular choice. For cooking in large quantities, entertaining, or bulk cooking: the 12-inch Kadhai gives you full capacity with the same even heat distribution.

Our cast iron appam pan (also called paniyaram pan) has 7, 9, or 12 round pits. It's used for South Indian appams, paniyarams, and also for making mini uttapams, egg bites, chocolate lava cakes, and stuffed snacks. Each pit holds batter independently, giving perfectly shaped, evenly cooked results.

Metro cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, etc.): 2–4 business days. Tier 2 & 3 cities: 4–7 business days. Remote areas and Northeast India: 7–12 business days. All orders are dispatched within 1–3 business days of confirmation.

Yes — COD is available at select PIN codes across India. The option will appear at checkout if your PIN code is serviceable. COD orders are subject to a nominal handling fee of ₹50.

Yes — we offer a 7-day return window from the date of delivery for unused, undamaged products in original packaging. Damaged or defective products are replaced free of charge. See our full Return & Refund Policy for details.