Bessemer Blog

How long has Bessemer been going?

Since 1963 that makes 48 years now- the cookware started in the mid 1970's I believe.

Do you sell seconds?

We sell seconds when we have sufficient quantity through Bessemer Distributors. Occassionally we do warehouse sales.

We had a great time at the Mildura Home Show last weekend - the Bessemer stand looked fantastic and we met lots of lovely people who had not seen Bessemer for many years. Many people commented that they did not think that Bessemer was still around. It was great to be able to help customers trade in their old pots and receive 40% discount on new ones. A wonderful weekend with Pina and her Sunraysia girls - lots of sales and happy customers!

We had a great Halloween Cooking Night at our Brisbane Sales office on Monday night. Who would have thought that you could cook Pumpkin Pie in a frypan on top of the stove! Thanks to the people who brought guests on the night, and welcome to those who took advantage of our $80 Supersaver Kit deal. Now that you have the frypan you can spoil your family with lots of sweet treats.

Bessemer Qld will be holding Christmas cooking classes on Monday the 14th November. Morning class at 10.30am, evening class at 6.30pm. Bookings are essential. Please call 3868 7000 to secure your place. Recipes include puddings, cakes and savoury treats all stove top baking. Learn how to cut down cooking times and save on power bills.

Our next cooking class will be Wednesday 16th November at 11.00a.m. Our theme for the day will be Italian favourite dishes, Lasagna, Canelloni, Pesto Pizza, and Past al Presto. If you want to learn how to cook these recipes and how to use your cookware like an oven on top of the stove. Call Ida on 87182702to book in. Everyone welcome.

Can induction pots be used on gas or electric stoves/ovens?

Bessemer Induction Cookware can also be used on electric stove tops but NOT for Gas stoves. There are 3 pieces of Bessemer cookware that are suitable for induction use, 3lt CK Casserole & Lid, 28cm CK Deep Frypan & Lid, and 2.2lt CK Saucepan & Lid.

Do Bessermer sell parts ? I have a broken handle on one of my lids.

Hi I have some Retro Bessemer Picnic Plates (square multi coloured and patterned). Can I put them SAFELY into the diswasher. I am worried that they may fade. Up till now I have always hand washed them.

will bessemer be holding a pre christmas sale in Sydney

Robyn, Yes Bessemer will be able to supply knobs for lids.. Please phone 1300655994 and you will get your local office, and they can organise to send one out.for a nominal charge.

Jill, I think the picnic plates were melamine.The dishwasher should not effect them,I would hand wash them anyway,as there are strong chemicals and high temperatures in dishwashers.

Very successful day for leads at a Church Fete last Saturday. Many Bessemer users attended and interested in booking in the new year and doing 40% tradeups. Also new customers that have always wanted Bessemer. Also a great networking day with other party plan people at the Fete.

I love your product,bought a lot,but never enough,Just woundering is it possible to send me on email,when is going to be next factory or seconds sale?Please....Thank you.

I was a Bessemer consultant in 1970.in Sydney. I remember selling melaware and cleaning products and also the cookware. I had an orange casserole dish and a brown baking dish and a yellow saucepan. I think it was called wheat or harvest' somethimg rural lol.

Anyhoo I have bought a little more this year from a TV ad. It is as I remember it from then, however I spoke to a Bessemer manager (considering joining again) and she says, also on here (John McLean) says that the cookware did not start til mid seventies. I have been wracking what is left of my brain and I had to have bought it in 1970. Is there anyone else out there like me as old as dirt that remembers cookware that early. It could have been in early 71 however no later.

This is not a life changing question its just got me thinking.

I received a yellow 2.5 saucepan and lid for my kitchen tea in yellow colour in 1972. The saucepan did not have a non stick coating nor a vent control on lid and I loved using it for everything, bean soup, italian spaghetti sauce etc, etc. It had a Harding & Wood stamp on the bottom and when I joined Bessemer many years later I recognised the shape was the same as our 2.5 saucepan and found out that Harding & Wood if I'm not mistaken were the manufacturing arm of Bessemer in those days. Would that be correct?

Yes Harding & Wood were the manufacturers of Bessemer cookware in the 70's, but these must be some of the first pieces. I thought H&W were supplying Bessemer a little later than this but then again I was only 13 at the time! Happy Cooking

Thank you Santa, I thought I was not dreaming.

John, being 13 is not an excuse :-)

You are welcome Lyn, and Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year. I guess you might be right too about 13 not being an excuse :) :) :):)

Will Bessemer be having a warehouse or a factory seconds sale anytime soon ?

Not for a while as there was one in December

the opportunity is fine, I interested to join Bessemer. How can i join with you from Dhaka, Bangladesh

reply: Hi, Sorry we currently do not have any systems setup to handle oversea distributors and/or customers.

Hi there, are the oven pans able to be used on top of the gas hot plates as well as in the oven.

Yes, you can use Oven Pans on top of the stove as well as in the oven. They can be used as a frypan if necessary..

Rather disappointed to note that you had a sale in December. How are your sales advertised ? I am registered with Bessemer for updates, but did not receive any email re a December sale.

reply: Sorry to here that you did not receive an email or SMS. I can only think that we must have a misspelling with your email address. Could I get you to copy the link below in to address line and re-register, I will make sure you are entered into the system. Also when registering, please enter both an email address and a mobile number. This will allow us to send both a email and SMS to you.

http://www.bessemer.com.au/registration-form/

I have a Bessemer frypan that has seen some great service over the past dozen years, but the teflon coating has started to flake. Is it possible to resurface (do you do that?) or is it time to buy another? Regards.

I thought the 40%off sale was on until 31st January....how come it's finishing early on 15th January?

I,m looking for a new casserole dish as I find the one I bought back early in 1970 needs a lot more water in it as it dries out to quichly now. Yes 1970 I bought a 2 lt casserole & a Md.&large sausepan. The lady who sold to me was Helen & she came from Ringwood Vic.S S

I use a convection/microwave oven. Can I use my Bessemer on the convection setting? Wouldn't use with M/W only, but before I purchase another pan, I thought I should check! Thanks heaps

can I put them in the dishwasher

Dear Chris, Yes you can trade-in your frypan at 40%off rrp. Please call our customer service line 1300 655 994 and we can refer you to a distributor in your area to assist you.

Dear Dianne, The 40% off sale is still available through our distributors until 5th February. If you wish to place an order please call our customer service line 1300 655 994 and we can refer you to a distributor in your area to assist you.

Dear Lee, Bessemer cookware is not suitable in M/W ovens. You can make a roast, pizza or cakes on your hot plate. If you need recipes you can have a look at some of our recipes which are featured on this website for ideas.

Dear Judi, You cannot put Bessemer Cookware in a dishwasher as the non stick lining can be damaged. They are very easy to wash with a dishcloth and dishwashing detergent.

the coating on my frypan is starting to peel. Is it possible to resurface/recoat it?

Dear Lubica, Bessemer cookware can be traded in for a similar 1st quality piece at 40% off RRP. You can also upsize or downsize when you trade-in. Call our customer service line on 1300 655 994 and we can put you in touch with your local Bessemer Distributor who can assist you.

I want to be a member so I can buy for my whole family. Is it alright?

Dear Sandia, To join Bessemer as a distributor, you will need to purchase a Kit, organise a minimum of 3 demonstrations within 3 weeks. Free trainning is available. Please call our customer service line 1300 655 994 with your contact details and we can send you our Kitting information.

Hi There. Is Bessemer 'silver utensil' safe? I can't stand cooking with plastic utensils and will only consider purchasing if I don't have to use these!

Dear Melissa, As Bessemer cookware has a non stick lining only plastic or woden spoons are suitable. Metal tools will scratch and damage the lining.

Hi Ida,

thanks for your response regarding trading in my bessemer, however, i would like to know whether it is possible to resurface the existing piece? is that possible and if so where can i get it done?

Hi Lubica,

Bessemer does not recoat as our experience with this process has been unsatisfactory. Firstly any dirt or oil.on the exterior (enamelled) surface is fired in and can stain. Any pitting or corrosion in the interior after the previous coating has worn, (even after grit blasting) can show through to the recoated surface leading to a disappointing uneven result.

We don't recommmend any suppliers for the above reasons, together with the fact that their application process (usually hand applied) and non stick material used are generally not up to our standards. That's the reason we recommend trading in old cookware. You get a brand new piece with a guarantee and we remelt the old piece and recover the aluminium and manufacture new cookware from scratch.

Regards,

John McLean

Managing Director

Hi, I just wondering how to locate a bessemer agent in w.a., as I am considering trading in my very old but wonderful bessemer pot.

Hi DebM.

Here is the Phone number for the WA office (08) 9334 9500. The staff there will help organise a Distributor in your area. Please try on Tuesday 10th April

http://www.bessemer.com.au/contact-us/

Can the phenolic handles go into the oven, or are they for stove top use only? I thought I remembered a presenter saying they weren't oven safe? Also, my mother-in-law has an old worn-out shallow round baking dish (with large domed lid) that measures 40cm across and I wanted to buy her a new one. The max size seems to be only 37cm. Are you making a 40cm round baking dish anymore?

Dear CressK, Bessemer phenolic handles can go in the oven at 180-200 degrees. Bessemer cookware cooks like an oven on your stove top and there is no need to cook in the oven with our casseroles. Your old baking dish must be our 34cm Baking Dish & Lid ( code 0163) which we still sell. You can trade-up your old cookware with a 1st quality piece

for $ 248.60 plus delivery. Please ring 1300 655 994 and we can put you in touch with your local distributor who can assist you with the trade-up.

Excited and Looking forward to being at Garden Week 2012, Perry Lakes, Floreat WA, April 19th to 23rd.

Just set up the Marque today, if you are in WA come on down and visit us on the Bessemer Stall 63B. Check out the cookware and we will also be very happy to help you with any queries about tradeups, exchanges or the earning opportunity - at the moment we have a 2nds Kit for FREE, conditions apply. THERE IS ALSO 40% OFF BESSEMER COOKWARE AND STEAMERS INSERTS, excluding sets.

Had a great 1st day at the Garden Week Show. Lots of trade-up inquiries and demo leads, city and country. Everyone who had Bessemer just loved it and the ones who didn't loved the fact we had 40% off so they could buy some.

Lets hope tomorrow is successful. The garden displays are so beautiful, with ponds and fountains and lots and lots of flowers and plants of course. Well worth a visit.

my wife has some very old casseroles and frypan ,is it possible to trade them for a different piece?

My wife sais she bought her bessemer dutch oven when she was 15 or 16 making the purchase date 1967-68. It has a large B stamped on the base and is burnt orange with lid.

Had an absolutely successful Garden Week. Met some really nice people and lots and lots of customers to follow-up. We had many inquiries also for the induction cookware - many people wanting bigger pots - have made a list in case we have any available in the future. Unfortunately many people put in the induction and then find they can't use their Bessemer. I suggested they purchase the pieces we have and buy a portable gas or electric hotplate for the bigger pieces. A lot of the new apartments in the city are putting in induction and also some areas of WA apparently don't have gas. Also have some ideas for colours. Will definitely do the Garden Week next year - well and truely worthwhile.

Hi Jorge, You can update your Bessemer cookware at 40% off the RRP. You can also upsize or downsize when you trade-in. If you want to trade-up please ring 1300 655 994 and we can put you in touch with your local distributor.

Hi Carol, It looks like you have our 34cm Baking Dish and Lid which has been in our range for over 40 years. We still have it and it is our most popular piece of cookware with our customers. Great for cooking on top of the stove Pizza, Roast, cake and quiches. A very handy piece to have in the Kitchen.

Just been to Geraldton with a team member to be part of a Bridal Expo fundraiser for the Flying Doctor Service. It was really great, lots of leads and follow up created.

i am considering buying melamine for dinner plates...can i use them in a microwave?