FUTURA FRY PAN CAST IRON G/L 24CM CIF24G

Futura Cast Iron Frying Pan 24 cm (CIF24G) – Naturally Nonstick, No Coating, 5mm Extra-Thick Base, Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet for Eggs, Omelettes, Searing & Everyday Frying

About This Product

Every experienced cook knows that certain dishes have a home — and for eggs, the perfect omelette, a properly seared piece of fish, golden-crisp dosas, or a pan-fried snack that stays crisp rather than greasy, that home is cast iron. The Futura Cast Iron Frying Pan 24 cm (CIF24G) is built for exactly these tasks. A 24 cm cast iron skillet with an extra-thick 5mm base, pre-seasoned with vegetable oil, and carrying no synthetic coating of any kind — it brings the genuine, time-tested experience of cooking on cast iron into an everyday format that is practical, honest about what it is, and completely honest about how food tastes when it is cooked well. The naturally non-stick cooking surface is not achieved through chemistry — it is built from the character of the iron itself, developing and deepening through every cooking session over years of use.

The defining advantage of cast iron for frying is its relationship with heat. Where a thin aluminium or stainless steel pan responds rapidly to flame changes — heating and cooling quickly — cast iron does the opposite: it takes slightly longer to come to temperature, but once there, it holds that temperature with remarkable steadiness. This thermal stability is what makes the difference between an egg that sticks and tears and one that slides out cleanly, between a piece of fish that steams in its own moisture and one that sears into a crisp, golden crust. The 5mm base of the CIF24G amplifies this property further — the additional thickness gives the pan enough thermal mass to maintain frying temperature even when cool ingredients are added, preventing the temperature drop that causes oil to become greasy rather than hot and sharp. The cooking surface, seasoned through use, develops an increasingly natural release quality that makes everyday frying progressively more effortless.

The CIF24G comes with a heat-proof glass lid with a food-grade silicone rim, making it useful not just as an open frying pan but also as a covered cooking vessel for eggs, fish, and dishes that benefit from steaming or covered finishing. Compatible with gas, induction, electric, ceramic, halogen, and firewood cooking surfaces, it is one of the most universally usable frying pans in its category. Metal spatulas and ladles can be used freely — there is no coating to protect or preserve. And because this is cast iron, properly maintained, the CIF24G is a frying pan that will outlast every other pan in your kitchen — improving through years and decades of cooking rather than wearing out and needing replacement.

Key Features

No Synthetic Coating – Naturally Nonstick, Chemical-Free Cooking

The CIF24G has no synthetic non-stick coating of any kind — no PTFE, PFOA, ceramic, or enamel layer. Its natural non-stick quality comes entirely from the seasoning — the layer of polymerised oil built up through cooking — that progressively fills the surface pores of the iron. There are no chemical compounds to degrade, no flaking risk, and no need to replace the pan when a coating reaches the end of its life. The CIF24G's cooking surface only gets better as the seasoning deepens through use.

Extra-Thick 5mm Base – Stable Heat, No Hotspots, Food Won't Burn

The 5mm base thickness gives the CIF24G exceptional thermal mass — the ability to hold and distribute heat evenly across its full 24 cm cooking surface. This eliminates the hotspots that cause uneven cooking or burning, and gives the pan enough stored heat energy to maintain frying temperature even when cool or wet ingredients (like eggs, meat, or batter) are added. Food cooked in the CIF24G fries evenly from edge to centre of the pan — a quality that directly translates into better-tasting results.

Exceptional Heat Retention – Keeps Cooking Temperature Stable

Unlike lighter pans that respond rapidly to flame changes and can overshoot or undershoot temperature, the cast iron CIF24G maintains a steady, stable cooking temperature once heated. This steadiness is critical for precision frying — the kind where an egg sets perfectly without browning, where a piece of fish develops a proper crust without drying out, or where a chapati or paratha finishes cooking through residual heat after the flame is reduced.

Pre-Seasoned with Vegetable Oil – Ready to Cook from Day One

The CIF24G arrives pre-seasoned with vegetable oil — the factory-applied layer of polymerised oil that initiates the natural non-stick surface. A simple wash and dry before first use is sufficient to begin cooking. From this initial layer, the seasoning builds progressively with every cooking session, deepening the natural non-stick quality and enriching the flavour profile of everything cooked in the pan over its lifetime.

Will Not Rust with Regular Care

Pre-seasoning with vegetable oil provides the first line of defence against rust. With regular use — keeping the pan dry after washing, storing it in a dry environment, and maintaining a thin coat of oil on the surface — the CIF24G will not rust under normal kitchen conditions. If rust does appear from neglect, it is entirely reversible through re-seasoning — cast iron is one of the only cookware materials that is completely restorable from a rusted state.

Rough & Tough – Metal Ladle and Spatula Compatible

The solid cast iron body of the CIF24G can withstand metal spatulas, ladles, forks, and any metal utensil without any surface damage. This is a fundamental practical advantage over non-stick coated frying pans, where metal contact risks scratching or removing the coating. Flip eggs with a metal spatula, scrape the pan with a steel karchi, use a fork to check doneness — the CIF24G handles it all without complaint.

Heat-Proof Glass Lid with Food-Grade Silicone Rim – Covered Cooking Option

The included heat-proof tempered glass lid with a food-grade silicone rim transforms the CIF24G from a pure frying pan into a covered cooking vessel. Cover scrambled eggs as they set, cover fish during a steam-finish stage, cover a bhuna masala as it simmers, or cover dosas as they crisp. The glass allows you to monitor cooking without lifting the lid and releasing the trapped heat and steam.

Universal Cooktop Compatibility – Gas, Induction & More

The CIF24G works on gas stoves, induction cooktops, electric stoves, ceramic cooktops, halogen stoves, and even firewood or coal chulha. Cast iron's natural magnetic properties make it inherently induction-compatible, and its high heat tolerance and structural durability make it suitable for open-flame cooking including firewood — something modern coated pans cannot manage. This is a frying pan that works in every kitchen configuration imaginable.

Ideal for Eggs, Omelettes, Fish, Searing, Dosas & Everyday Frying

The 24 cm size, flat-bottomed design, and heat characteristics of the CIF24G make it particularly well-suited for eggs in every preparation (fried, scrambled, omelette), fish fillets, seared meat pieces, dosas, parathas, pan-fried snacks, and general shallow-frying. The natural non-stick surface excels with protein-heavy foods — eggs and fish — that are notoriously difficult in non-seasoned or stainless steel pans.

A Generational Kitchen Investment

The CIF24G is not a product with a lifespan — it is a product with a legacy. Properly maintained cast iron cookware is genuinely indestructible in normal kitchen use. It does not wear out, does not need replacing when a coating fails, and does not become obsolete. A well-seasoned, well-used cast iron frying pan handed down from one generation to the next is a richer, better-seasoned cooking tool than a new one — the ultimate expression of cookware that improves with age.

Product Specifications

Care & Seasoning Instructions

Before first use: wash with mild soap and warm water, rinse, dry completely over a flame, apply a thin coat of cooking oil to all surfaces, and heat briefly over medium flame until the oil smokes slightly. After every use: wash with warm water, dry immediately and completely over heat (never leave wet), and apply a very thin coat of oil before storing in a dry place. Never soak in water or put in a dishwasher. For outdoor firewood use, ensure the pan is on a stable grate. If rust appears: scrub clean, wash, dry, re-oil, and re-season — the pan is fully restorable.

Warranty Information

The Futura Cast Iron Frying Pan 24 cm (CIF24G) is backed by a 5-year guarantee from Hawkins Cookers Limited from the date of purchase. For warranty service, contact Hawkins at service@hawkinscookers.com or (022) 24 440 807.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is cast iron better than a non-stick pan for frying eggs?

A well-seasoned cast iron frying pan like the CIF24G can be just as non-stick as a coated pan for eggs — but with key advantages. Cast iron's thermal stability gives you more control over egg texture (the temperature does not spike suddenly and overcook the edges). There is no coating to worry about scratching. The seasoning improves with use rather than degrading. And the flavour of eggs cooked in well-seasoned cast iron — particularly when cooked in butter or ghee — is noticeably richer than eggs from a synthetic coated pan. Many professional cooks who use cast iron daily consider it the superior surface for eggs.

2. How is the CIF24G different from the CIK35G?

Both the CIF24G and CIK35G are traditional pre-seasoned Futura cast iron cookware pieces with the same 5mm base thickness, no coating philosophy, and identical quality of cast iron. The difference is in shape and purpose. The CIF24G is a frying pan (flat or shallowly curved base with a long single handle) — designed for eggs, fish, shallow frying, searing, and individual portions. The CIK35G is a kadhai (deep curved vessel with two side handles) — designed for curries, deep frying, gravies, and larger family-sized portions. Both complement each other in a cast iron kitchen.

3. Can I use the CIF24G for making dosas and parathas?

Yes. The 24 cm flat base of the CIF24G is well-suited for small to medium dosas, uttapams, parathas, and egg-based preparations. The even heat distribution of the 5mm base ensures these foods cook uniformly without patchy uncooked areas or burning at the centre. The natural non-stick surface — once properly seasoned — releases dosas and parathas cleanly without tearing. For larger dosas, a dedicated cast iron tava (like the Futura CIT24 or CIDT27) with a wider flat surface is more appropriate.

4. Is it normal for the CIF24G to look rough or bumpy rather than smooth?

Yes — this is completely normal and expected. Cast iron pans have a naturally textured, slightly rough surface compared to the smooth surfaces of non-stick coated or stainless steel pans. This roughness is the texture of the raw cast iron, and it is what the seasoning layer fills over time to create the natural non-stick surface. With sufficient seasoning built through regular cooking, the surface becomes progressively smoother and more food-releasing — but it will never be as smooth as a synthetic coating. This is the character and nature of cast iron cookware.

5. How long does it take for the CIF24G to become genuinely non-stick?

The CIF24G arrives pre-seasoned, which means the process has begun. For everyday cooking, it typically takes 10 to 20 cooking sessions with adequate oil for the seasoning to build to a level where the pan is reliably non-stick for eggs and fish. Cooking fatty dishes (meat, bacon, stir-fries) builds seasoning faster than low-fat cooking. Patience with the initial period — using appropriate amounts of oil and cooking at medium rather than high heat — rewards you with a better, richer non-stick surface over time.

6. Can I use the CIF24G on an induction cooktop?

Yes. Cast iron is inherently magnetic and works naturally on induction cooktops without any special base adapter. The CIF24G is compatible with gas, induction, electric, ceramic, halogen, and even firewood or coal stoves — one of the most universally compatible frying pan materials available.

7. What should I do if food sticks during the initial uses?

Some sticking in the early uses before the seasoning is fully built is normal. The remedies are: use adequate oil (cast iron is not a zero-oil surface — it works best with a thin film of oil or ghee); preheat the pan before adding ingredients (a properly heated cast iron pan releases food far more reliably than a cold one); do not move food too early — protein like eggs and fish will release naturally once the cooking surface seals them; and cook fatty dishes frequently in the early period to build the seasoning layer faster.

8. What is the warranty on the Futura CIF24G?

The CIF24G carries a 5-year guarantee from the date of purchase from Hawkins Cookers Limited. For warranty service or queries, contact Hawkins at service@hawkinscookers.com or (022) 24 440 807.

9. Is the CIF24G suitable as a gift for someone setting up a new kitchen?

The CIF24G is an excellent kitchen gift — particularly for someone setting up a kitchen for the first time, or for a home cook who is ready to move beyond basic coated pans. It is a long-lasting, genuinely useful piece of cookware that will be used daily for years, improves with time, and teaches the recipient some of the most rewarding aspects of cooking on cast iron. Pair it with a simple explanation of seasoning care, and it is a gift that gets better and more appreciated over the years.

10. What other cast iron pieces does Futura by Hawkins offer?

The Futura cast iron range from Hawkins includes: Classic Cast Iron Kadhais (CIK15G, CIK20G, CIK35G), Classic Cast Iron Frying Pans (CIF16G, CIF20G, CIF24G), Cast Iron Tawa/Tava (CIT24, CIDT27) for rotis and dosas, and the newer Ironman Slim Cast Iron range (IMK25G, IMK40G, IMF22G, IMF26G, IMW475) with nitrided iron surface for lighter weight and easier maintenance. All share the philosophy of chemical-free, naturally non-stick cooking — through pre-seasoning in the classic range and through nitriding in the Ironman range.