What is the oldest cast iron skillet?

The oldest cast iron artifacts date from early 5th century B.C. China, in the Jiangsu province, and such tools were widely used in the region by the 3rd century B.C. Cast iron slowly made its way to Western Europe, likely via the Silk Road, and wasn't an important material until the 14th century A.D.

What is the oldest brand of cast iron?

Lodge Cast Iron has been making cast-iron cookware at its Tennessee foundry since 1896, making it the country's oldest surviving cast-iron manufacturer.

What is the rarest cast iron skillet?

The value of antique cast iron skillets can start at similar to new prices, but a super rare Wagner or Griswold can fetch up to $1,500 apiece. A mint condition, super rare "spider skillet" made in the 1890s by Griswold is worth up to $8,000.

Who made the first cast iron skillet?

The History of Cast Iron Cookware

The first known use of cast iron cookware was during the Han Dynasty in China, around 220 A.D. Casting techniques became widespread in Europe by the 16th century, and since then, this versatile equipment has been a staple in households all over the world.

What cast iron is collectible?

Any pan made before 1957 is considered vintage. There were several major manufactures of cast iron cookware from the 1800s to the early 1900s. These include Wagner, Griswald, Birmingham Stove & Range, and Lodge.

Identifying Old Cast Iron Pans

What does the number 8 mean on cast iron?

Ever wonder what that number on the handle of your cast-iron skillet means? It's not, as you might think, the size of the pan. The number actually refers to the diameter of the pan in inches across the bottom of the pan, not across its flared top, which is the industry standard way to measure skillet size.

Do they still make Wagner cast iron?

Wagner was active between 1891 and 1952, and at one time dominated the cookware market, selling in Europe and the US. The purchasers of the company in 1952 continued the brand, and Wagner products are still manufactured today.

What is Griswold cast iron worth?

Griswold Cast Iron Price Guide

An antique skillet from the early days of the Griswold iron works can be marketed for more than $3,000, depending on the condition and traceability.

What are vintage cast iron skillets worth?

One of the most surprising valuables around your home may be cast-iron cookware. Worth from $15 to $1,500, this is stuff you rarely want to sell at a yard sale. Fortunately, cookware is usually marked on the bottom with the name of the maker and the catalog or size number.

What is the rarest Griswold?

One of the rarest of all Griswold skillets the Block EPU (BEPU) is the hardest among the 13s to find as so few were made (people tended to buy them less for the fear of unlucky 13). This one is a beauty with a heat ring, glassy cooking surface and nice mill marks. Super collectable.

Why is Lodge cast iron so cheap?

They're made locally. The fact that Lodge skillets are manufactured in the USA helps, too. Cast iron is heavy and it's cheaper to ship to stores and shoppers from Tennessee than China. A fun plus to being made in America is that the company creates lots of jobs for locals.

Is vintage cast iron better?

However, according to many people who love cast iron, vintage pans are far superior to modern ones (vintage, in this case, being defined as any pan made pre-1950). Many cast-iron aficionados swear that older is definitely better—better as in more durable, conducts heat more evenly, and withstands arduous conditions.

What is the best brand iron skillet?

How can you tell a fake Griswold?

Fakes have rough casting, uneven margin below Griswold lettering. Original has finer detail, especially below the eye, and smoother casting. Lettering font on fake handle is sans-serif.

How can you tell how old a Wagner skillet is?

These products date anywhere from 1891 to 1910. Markings on the bottom of the pan with the “WAGNER” logo in straight, capital letters, centered and slightly raised indicate that the skillet was among the first products manufactured at the Sidney, Ohio foundry. These products date anywhere from 1891 to 1915.

How old is a Wagner Ware cast iron skillet?

Wagner cast iron cookware is regarded by many as some of the finest examples of 19^th and 20^th century cast iron. And much of the cast iron is over 100 years old and still very usable today.

Does vinegar remove rust from cast iron?

Mix together equal parts basic white vinegar and water, and either add the solution to the pan if it's rusty only on the inside or completely submerge the pan in a bucket of the stuff to dissolve the rust all over. Letting it soak for about an hour should do the trick, depending on the damage.

When was Erie cast iron made?

Erie cast iron was manufactured between 1880-1907. Over the years, Griswold made slight changes to the Erie line. Such as the handle, Erie logo, and the pattern number in the center. In total, there are six known series of Erie skillets.

Who made Erie cast iron?

Griswold Manufacturing Company or its predecessor, Seldon and Griswold Manufacturing Company, produced “ERIE” skillets for 27 years from c. 1880 to c. 1907. Along the way there were significant changes made to the skillets.

Is Griswold and Wagner the same company?

Under the new management of the Randall Company, Wagner purchased Griswold Manufacturing Company in 1957. In 1959, Textron, Inc. bought the Randall Company, which included both the Wagner and Griswold divisions.

How can you tell if cast iron is real?

The weight of cast iron is the first give away. If you can comfortably lift the pan in one hand it is not cast iron. An authentic piece of cast iron will have a thick bottom and sides, hence the weight. Next check for markings on the pan manufacturers display with pride their brand, size, or range name on their pieces.

What is a gate mark on cast iron What does it mean?

Cast iron is made with a sand mold in which liquid iron needs to be poured into it (or injected into the mold.) The liquid iron then hardens and the mold is removed from around it. In the 1800s the iron was poured in via a line on the bottom of the mold which left the line, or gate mark, on the iron once it hardened.

What do Griswold numbers mean?

In the case of Griswold, in addition to model or item numbers, "pattern numbers" were devised, ostensibly unique to each model, size, and type of pan produced. Griswold pieces like skillets and dutch ovens are inscribed with their size number and a pattern number.