What's the difference between an enamelled pan and a cast iron pan?
Our Legacy collection is handcrafted to last multiple lifetimes. Our new enamelled collection has a lifetime warranty and comes in a range of colours. 

• Enamelled: Think all the benefits of cooking with cast iron, made easy, in the colour of your choice. A workhorse for everyday cooking.
• Legacy: Our meticulous Antique Finish™ gives it a ceramic-smooth touch and non-stick performance you wouldn't believe. Each one takes hours of hand-polishing, resulting in a pan so beautiful it's practically a work of art.

Ironclad seems like an investment. Will it pay off?
Absolutely! An average non-stick pan should be replaced annually - which adds up pretty quickly. Our Legacy Collection is guaranteed for three generations and will only get better with more use and proper care. Our satin enamel collection will last a lifetime or more. It's not just good for your tastebuds, it's good for your wallet too. Pay a bit more upfront for a much better deal long term. 

Food-grade cast iron? What's the deal?
Think of your cookware like an ingredient—you want the best quality for your food. There are four types of cast iron, but only grey cast iron is ideal for cookware. At Ironclad, we test every pour for purity and we use only food-safe grey cast iron. Unlike some brands that opt for cheaper, lower-grade iron. Always check with your cookware maker about their materials—they owe you that transparency.

What happens if my Ironclad rusts?
A bit of surface rust is normal for cast iron, especially if it's been drip-drying or not used regularly. It's easily fixed. A good scrub with soap and steel wool and a wipe with an oiled cloth should get you going again. If in doubt, re-season it like new—see our Use & Care page for an easy walk through. If that's too hard, we're always here to help. Just get in touch at hello@ironcladpan.com

Will my Ironclad work on my induction stove top?
Definitely! Our cast iron loves any heat source: induction, gas, electric, BBQ, even a campfire. Just remember, low and slow is the way to go, especially at first. Too much heat too fast can warp the iron. We recommend matching the induction hob size to fit the pan and putting it on low for a minute before cranking. Since cast iron retains heat incredibly well, watch it doesn’t get too hot. 

What causes cast iron to warp?
Usually, it's from using a burner that's too small for the base of the pan, or cranking up the heat too quickly. This creates a hotspot that makes the iron expand unevenly. Minor warping often fixes itself as the pan cools. If it's bad, though, it might not go back to perfectly flat. 

What is the warranty on your enamel cookware?
As long as you follow our use and care instructions your Ironclad enamel cookware should last a lifetime. Manufacturing faults will be covered. Anything like uneven enamel coating or cracks would be apparent soon after your first use - and we can replace the product straight away. Normal wear and tear - minor scratches, small chips and some exterior staining may occur and won’t be covered, or affect the performance of the product. 

Where are Ironclad products made? 
Originally we only made one size pan in NZ. As we grew, we had to seek out more specialist suppliers with a history of making cookware. So we spoke to foundries across NZ, Australia, Vietnam, India, Fiji and multiple places in China. Narrowing it down, we independently quality tested samples and now work with two foundries in Hebei, where cast iron cookware originated from around 2,600 years ago. Our co-founder Kate regularly visits the makers to work with them on how to achieve the finishes we require and maintain the high standard of quality Ironclad is known for. 

Both our partners meet the highest quality international standards - satisfying the food-grade testing requirements of LFGB*, FDA, California Proposition 65**. Ironclad also independently tested the products locally in NZ.

We still test and do short run batches with our foundry partner in New Zealand.   

Most of our other products are made in either New Zealand or Australia by local woodworkers, metal polishers, balm makers and box makers.  

*LFBG is the German abbreviation for the Food and Commodities Act. It is short for Lebensmittel- und Futtermittelgesetzbuch, which is considered the most important food safety management act for Germany. All the food-related products are required to pass the corresponding tests and be compliant with LFGB in order to enter the German market.

**Prop 65 means that it is certified free from over 800 problematic compounds. And FDA approved - safe for cookware. 

How do you cook using enamelled cast iron?
Our enamelled cast iron range is compatible with all heat sources; induction, gas, electric, ceramic, barbecue, oven, fire. Just no microwaves please. And avoid temperatures over 300°C. Use your preferred oil or butter and ideally wooden or silicone utensils to avoid scratching the surface. Avoid extreme changes in temperature - like regular cast iron, enamelled cast iron is best when warmed up gradually and allowed to cool naturally. It will retain the heat beautifully and is perfect for serving hot to the table. Always protect your hands from hot handles and use a trivet to protect tables or benchtops.  

Do you need to season an enamelled cast iron pan first?
No. It’s ready to go straight out of the box. We recommend washing with mild soap and a soft cloth or brush prior to your first use.  

Do the lid and handles get hot?
Yes. The handles on the pan and lid are made from cast iron, so will heat up. Use a tea towel, oven mitt or leather pan snug to protect your hands. 

Is cast iron non-stick?
Yes. And it should only get better with more use and proper care. Ensure you bring your pan up to heat before adding food. And use your chosen oil or butter when cooking. 

Are pinholes in the cast iron surface normal? 
Yes. Cast iron cookware is made using a sand moulding process and the iron itself is a natural material with variations outside of our control. Minor imperfections or small pinholes may appear on the surface but will in no way affect the performance of your Ironclad cookware. These should also diminish over time with proper use and care as the seasoning develops.  

Are pinholes in the enamelled surface normal?
Although we endeavour to ensure there are none, minor pinholes or dimples can appear on the surface of the enamel finish. Each product goes through our quality control process, so if you do come across imperfections they should not affect the integrity of your cookware. However, if you are concerned about anything please reach out to us at hello@ironcladpan.com with any questions. 

How do you clean cast iron? 
Check the instructions that came in the box. Or our use and care page here. It depends how messy you get - and can range from simply wiping out with a dry paper towel, to boiling water for easy removal of sticky bits. If you want to use a mild dishsoap - go ahead. The key is to keep your cast iron dry and lightly oiled between uses. Don’t drip dry. The more you use it, the better it gets. 

What is seasoning?
Seasoning is your cast iron’s natural layer of carbonised oil. It builds up gradually with more use and is baked onto the surface - giving it a rich dark patina. Ironclad cookware comes pre-seasoned with vegetable oil for you, so it’s ready to go and will only get better with more use and proper care.   

Why is my food sticking sometimes?
This can happen for a few different reasons, such as not bringing the pan up to heat before adding the food, or not using enough oil or butter when cooking. Some saucy, acidic or sweet things will stick - just make sure you clean out the pan afterward - boiling water to remove and reset the pan is a good trick. Scrub, dry thoroughly and then keep lightly oiled.  

Do acidic foods ruin the seasoning?
No, they won’t ruin it. Cast iron is pretty indestructible. But wine, tomatoes, vinegar and citrus can eat into the natural seasoning layer. A few tips - when cooking something acidic remove it from the pan once finished and clean straight away. Dry and re-oil. If you do find the seasoning has been removed in places, then once clean and oiled you can re-bake in a hot oven to add a layer of seasoning back on there. Keep cooking and your seasoning will develop again. Roasting vege in between stove top uses is a good way to ensure you maintain a beautiful patina. 

When will my package arrive?
We aim to dispatch all orders (with the exception of the Heirloom Pan) within 3-5 business days from our Melbourne or Auckland distribution centres.  

Where do you ship to?
We offer worldwide shipping (excluding the US - due to new import regulations) with heavily subsidised postage rates because we know cast iron is heavy!

How can I track my order?
A tracking link will be sent to you via email. Once your order has been processed, packed and prepared for dispatch you will receive your tracking information. This tracking information will update as soon as your parcel receives the initial scans by the courier. From there, you can track your order in transit. 

What do I do if I have added the wrong address?
If you have made an error with your shipping address, please contact our Customer Service Team immediately via email hello@ironcladpan.com. If we are unable to amend your address before your order is dispatched, we will attempt to contact the courier and pass on a redirection request. Unfortunately, once a parcel is scanned into a courier network, we cannot guarantee a redirection request will be successful. If your parcel is returned back to us, we will be in contact with you to arrange redelivery. Please double check and triple check your address is entered correctly before confirming your order. Shipping fees may apply for redelivery.

What if I have a delivery issue?
If you have not received your parcel in the expected timeframe, please firstly check other locations around your property, and with other members of your household. Please also check if you have received a calling card, as this will indicate if your delivery was unsuccessful, or if your parcel has been taken to a collection point for pick up. Alternatively, you may contact our Customer Service Team via email hello@ironcladpan.com and we will get in touch with the courier. 

I live outside NZ/Australia, will I have to pay duties or taxes? 
We will always do our best to ensure the amount of tax being charged to you is as minimal as possible. However, we cannot guarantee a customer will not encounter any additional handling fees, duties, tax or customs fees upon their order entering their country. 

What payment methods do you accept?
We accept: PayPal, Visa, Visa Debit, MasterCard, American Express, ZipPay, Shop Pay, Google Pay, Apple Pay.

What currency will I be charged in?
Customers can pay with their local currency by updating their currency preference at the top of the website. Purchases using Afterpay will be processed in (??) Any refunds will be issued in the currency used at check out.

I have a store credit, does this expire?
Store credits do not expire and can be used towards any future purchases.

What happens if I forget to use my discount code or gift card?
Unfortunately, once an order has been placed, we are unable to apply discount codes or gift cards. If you have any further questions, please contact our Customer Service Team via hello@ironcladpan.com.

Will I receive an order confirmation?
Yes, all Ironclad orders will receive an email order confirmation once an order has been placed online. You will then receive a secondary email notification with your tracking details upon dispatch. 

I didn’t receive my order confirmation?
Please ensure you enter your email address correctly at the checkout. Please note, depending on your email settings, your order confirmation may automatically be redirected to your junk or spam folder. If you still do not receive your order confirmation, please contact our Customer Service Team via email hello@ironcladpan.com with your full name, order number and correct email address.

Can you edit my order?
We endeavour to make changes to a customer’s order upon request but we cannot guarantee we will be able to make any requested changes before an order is dispatched. For order enquiries, please contact us via email hello@ironcladpan.com. 

Can I cancel my order?
With our scanning and inventory system, it has enabled our Warehouse Team to be very efficient in processing, packing and preparing orders for dispatch. Therefore, once you process your order online and click ‘confirm and pay’, after this point we can not guarantee an order can be cancelled.

Can I hold items in my cart?
Unfortunately, items cannot be held or reserved in carts. If an item has dropped out of your cart before checking out and has now sold out, we do apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and we appreciate your understanding.

What happens when I receive an incorrect or faulty item?
If on the rare occasion, you receive an incorrect or faulty item please contact our Customer Service Team via email hello@ironcladpan.com. 

What if I have an issue with a product I purchased from a retailer?
If you encounter an issue with a product you purchased from a retailer please contact our Customer Service Team via email hello@ironcladpan.com. 

How do I find out if an item is coming back in stock?
Please click on 'Notify Me When Available’ on the product page of the item you’re after. Once you input your email address, you will be notified when your desired item returns. 

I was messaged on Instagram that I won a giveaway, how do I know if this is legit?
Unfortunately, there are a lot of scam accounts going around which will pretend to impersonate a business to get unsuspecting customers to click links. This will result in them being scammed.
Please ensure on Instagram you only follow @ironcladco. This is our genuine account, and any communication will be through this account only. 
If you do come across a different account pretending to be us,  please report and block it .

What is your returns policy?
You may return any brand new, unused items within 30 days. Returns will incur a 10% restocking fee.  

How do I lodge a return?
Please contact our Customer Care Team via email hello@ironcladpan.com to arrange this. 

How long does it take to process my return?
From when a return parcel is received, we ask customers to allow up to 7 business days for their return to be finalised. 

Have you received my return yet?
When sending your return parcel at the post office, we recommend you ensure your parcel has return tracking. This way, you can track your parcel in transit to our warehouse, and see exactly when it is delivered. From when a return parcel is received at our warehouse, we ask customers to allow up to 7 business days for their return to be finalised. 

Can I exchange an item?
Unfortunately, we do not offer direct exchanges for returned items, unless they are deemed faulty upon inspection. In some scenarios, we may require a faulty item to be returned to us for further inspection before honouring an exchange or refund. 

Do you pay for my return shipping?
Customers are required to cover shipping costs when returning items, unless it is deemed faulty in which case we may send you a return courier label. We suggest using standard or regular shipping, as this will be the most cost effective option. We recommend ensuring your parcel has return tracking, so you can track your parcel in transit to our warehouse, and see exactly when it is delivered.