Full Answer
What are the standard markings on a cast iron skillet?
Antique Cast Iron Skillet Markings, Identification, Value Guide Identifying Unmarked Cast Iron Skillets. There were many local manufacturers to skip the markings on anywhere on the... Valuation of Antique Cast Iron Skillet. Intended cast iron on classic skillet featured an extremely analogous... ...
How old is my cast iron skillet?
01/12/2021 · Another type of mark that cast iron skillets can have is a gate mark. This is a raised slash or a scar on the bottom of the pan. The main thing with gate marked skillets is that they don’t have any other marks, such as a manufacturer name. It’s very easy to mistake them for bad quality pans.
When did they stop cast iron skillets with gate marks?
There were a significant number of antique cast iron skillet manufacturers, and most of the notable manufacturers made their cast iron skillets identifiable by setting their logos/maker's marks into the backs of their pans.
How do I identify antique cast iron cookware?
02/11/2015 · It may be marked SK for the skillet, G for griddle, or DO for Dutch oven. These letters are common on vintage Lodge cast iron pieces. Other brands (like Wagner) will sometimes use letters instead, like H. Pans are also sometimes marked with model numbers like 8, 10, or 90.
How can you tell if a cast iron skillet is vintage?
6:5328:47Identifying Old Cast Iron Pans - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey did this from the late 1940s. All the way to the 1970s. And this is one way to instantlyMoreThey did this from the late 1940s. All the way to the 1970s. And this is one way to instantly identify this pan as a lodge pan. Also the size number on the bottom of this pan.
How can I tell the brand of my cast iron skillet?
“If there are markings discernible, the typeface used could be a dead giveaway or at least point you in the right direction.” He also advises those looking to identify vintage cast iron to take a close look at the helper handle or tab design (if the pan has them), at the position and design of the heat ring on the ...20-Jul-2021
What is the oldest cast iron brand?
Lodge Cast IronLodge Cast Iron has been making cast-iron cookware at its Tennessee foundry since 1896, making it the country's oldest surviving cast-iron manufacturer.17-Aug-2020
What are the numbers 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.
What is a gate mark on a cast iron pan?
0:064:00Cast Iron Cookware Gate Marks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you can see that this one has a gate mark on the bottom that's where the cast the molten metalMoreAnd you can see that this one has a gate mark on the bottom that's where the cast the molten metal was poured in.
What is the rarest Griswold skillet?
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.
What is the most collectible cast iron?
With antique cast iron, there are certain numbers that are very common and some that are very rare.Numbers #3, 6, and 8 are not considered collectible. ... The most desirable pan is #1 - they're super rare and worth $1,000 each, despite their small size.More items...
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.13-Feb-2015
When did Wagner cast iron go out of business?
Wagner Manufacturing CompanyWagner salesman c. 1910Defunct1953FateAcquired by Randall CompanyHeadquartersSidney, Ohio , USBrandsMagnalite, Wagner Ware, National, Long Life, Wardway and Ward's Cast Iron4 more rows
What does number 8 mean on cast iron?
Griswold Manufacturing was a bit more complex in their numbering system, with the numbers seemingly unrelated to the size of a piece. For example, a size #6 Griswold skillet has a pattern number of 699 while a #7 is pattern 701 and a #8 is pattern 704.15-Jul-2015
Is cast iron valuable as scrap?
5—Cast Iron While it may be the least valuable household scrap metal, what it lacks in price it makes up for in weight. This is why many scrappers won't pass up on cast iron. The cost per pound of this scrap metal can add up pretty fast, which makes it worth your while to bring it over to the recycling yard.08-Oct-2021
What do the Griswold numbers mean?
Griswold's pattern numbering system is a little more cryptic, with the numbers appearing to have nothing to do with the size. A size #6 Griswold skillet, for example, is pattern number "699", a size #7 is pattern "701", and a size #8 is pattern "704". ... Other makers used numbers in similar ways.
Why are cast iron pans unmarked?
Start with the Brand. Some cast-iron pans were deliberately unmarked because they were sold directly to stores. So a pan intended for Woolworths wouldn’t have a Lodge or Wagner label on it. But if you pre-checked the characteristic of the brand, you can tell who made it, even without their ‘signature’.
What are some examples of cast iron pans?
If you have an overview of top brand characteristics, it’s easier to identify them when you see them. For example, Cuisinart and Le Creuset cast iron pans have bright, vibrant colors. Brands from the 1800s include Griswold/Erie, Wagner, and Lodge while Le Creuset and Krampouz started in the mid-1900s.
How long can a cast iron skillet last?
Cast iron skillets can survive for decades or even centuries. And if they’re well taken care of, they get better with time. Meaning the older your iron pan is, the better its quality, and the more reliable its performance. This is because cast iron skillets – if they’re well-seasoned and maintained – will develop a permanent non-stick patina ...
Do cast iron skillets have a patina?
This is because cast iron skillets – if they’re well-seasoned and maintained – will develop a permanent non-stick patina that gives amazing cooking results. It’s also the reason why garage sales, estate clearances, and storage container options are the best source of cast iron skillets.
What are the model numbers on a cast iron pan?
Other brands (like Wagner) will sometimes use letters instead, like H. Pans are also sometimes marked with model numbers like 8, 10, or 90. The numbers might match the gas numbers on your cooker, or they might be a code to show you the diameter of your cast iron pan. Check for Provenance.
Do cast iron pans have a pour spout?
Also, older pans had two pour spouts while newer ones might have one. Contemporary cast iron pans might also have a helper handle and non-stick coatings, which are both newer. Inspect the Spout. While you’re at it, check the inner surface of the pan.
What are the handles on a cast iron skillet made of?
Also, these handles may be riveted onto the bowl of the pan, and are generally made of stainless steel. Older cast iron skillets have integrated handles that are part of the bowl with no screws or rivets. They also have a smooth finish, unlike modern cast iron which may be grooved for silicone grips.
What is cast iron cookware?
From the 1800s to the 1900s, all cast iron cookware was handmade from a mold, thus, the term “cast” when defining cast iron. The mold allowed intricate, manufacturer-designed elements to be incorporated into the design, including the producer’s logo. It also resulted in cookware that was lighter weight than the machine-produced cookware of today.
How long did it take for iron to be used in the Silk Road?
The Silk Road most likely brought iron to what are now the European countries, but it took many hundreds of years before weapons and armaments were forged from iron and turned into cookware.
Where is my great grandmother's cast iron skillet?
Great-Grandma’s big, heavy cast iron skillet sits at the back of your cupboard, taking up room. Too bulky to use as a weight for your arm curls, but heavy enough to perform well as a doorstop, at one time, the cast iron skillet seemed to have outlived its usefulness in the kitchen ‒ until cooking magazines and TV food programs grabbed onto ...
Who invented the pot?
Abraham Darby, an Englishman, found a way to cast the iron into thin-sided pots, added a trio of little feet on the bottom, giving birth to a pot that was perfect for cooking over an open fire. The year was 1707, and his patent set off a revolutionary development in the creation and production of cookware.
What is the gate mark on a cast iron skillet?
That slash is known as a “gate mark,” and it’s a leftover from the casting process. It also means the skillet was produced prior to 1880.
Where is Griswold made?
Originally a manufacturer of hardware, the company moved into the cookware business in the 1870s. Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, Griswold’s reign as the king of cast iron skillets, pots, pans, grinders and waffle irons extended into the 1950s, when lighter aluminum and Teflon products hit ...
Who bought Griswold cookware?
In 1957, another cast iron cookware manufacturer, Wagner, bought out Griswold and closed the Erie production facility. An original cast iron manufacturer, Wagner had been in the cookware business since 1891 and was located in Sidney, Ohio. Its production quality surpassed that of Griswold and gained international fame.
Why are cast iron skillets with gate marks so rare?
They’re centuries old because the gate marks occur based on an old casting technique that was used in the 1800s. This casting method was discontinued in 1890, making cast iron skillets with gate marks rather rare.
What is a gate mark on a cast iron skillet?
Gate Mark. Another type of mark that cast iron skillets can have is a gate mark. This is a raised slash or a scar on the bottom of the pan. The main thing with gate marked skillets is that they don’t have any other marks, such as a manufacturer name. It’s very easy to mistake them for low-quality pans.
How much does a number 8 cast iron skillet weigh?
A comparison of two popular types highlights this factor – users found that a Number 8 Lodge cast iron skillet from the 1960s – 1983 weighed 4.65 lbs., whereas the Griswold number 8 “ERIE” spider cast iron skillet from 1906 weighed 3.85 lbs. Texture and Weight are two of the simplest ways that you can determine the age of the pan.
When did they stop making cast iron skillets?
This casting method was discontinued in 1890, making cast iron skillets with gate marks rather rare. While you will know that your pan is very old, it will be harder to determine who manufactured it. In the 1800s, cast iron foundries avoided putting logos or more on their wares.
Who makes the spider pan?
It is also produced by the Griswold Manufacturing Company. The pan features a design of a spider web with a spider in it and the words ERIE etched into the body of the spider. This is one of the earliest pans produced by the company, dating back to 1906.
Is a cast iron skillet newer or older?
Texture. Older pans have a smoother and less pebbled surface than newer ones. Newer cast iron skillets contain a thick and pebbled surface; then, it may be newer. It is also more likely to have been manufactured in the U.S. Additionally, newer pans have thicker walls as compared to older ones.
What is the name of the company that makes iron skillets?
Iron Mountain Skillets. Another type of cast iron skillet pans produced by the Griswold Manufacturing Company is the Iron Mountain skillets. They are loved because they are great for cooking, and many are favorite cookware pieces.
Why is cast iron considered vintage?
The main reasons vintage cast iron is preferred are; the cookware tends to be lighter and a lot smoother than cast iron cookware made today. Cast iron cookware made between the late 19th and the early 20th century is preferred by collectors.
What size cast iron skillet should I use for 2 people?
However if you're new to cast iron cooking I'd go for a number #8. With a number #8 skillet it's great for one or two people and more importantly it's more forgiving and less prone to warping.
Is there a shortage of cast iron cookware?
Secondly there is no rush, because cast iron is so durable there is no shortage of cast iron cookware out there. Also some asking prices are too high. Finally check for rock or movement in the pan. Although antique cast iron is desired because it's lighter than modern cast iron cookware is comes with one drawback.
STOCK YOUR BOOKSHELF
Having a collection of books to reference at the ready is an invaluable tool in identifying cast iron. If you’re an avid cast iron enthusiast, odds are you’re familiar with Schiffer Publishing’s collection of resourceful cast iron guides. Collectors call them by their color.
TURN TO FACEBOOK
In today’s modern world, one of the greatest sources for identifying cast-iron cookware is social media. On Facebook, there are dozens of groups comprised of tens of thousands of members, ranging from cast iron collectors and experts to home cooks and cast iron newcomers, who are more than willing to share their knowledge.
SEARCH THE WEB
Sometimes, the best way to find information on your mystery pan is by simply scouring the Internet. Proceed with caution, though, as you’re likely to find some false information out there. However, there are plenty of helpful photos and videos that can lead you in the right direction to identifying your cast iron.
What is cast iron used for?
Used to manufacture all manner of tools, machines, and even buildings and bridges, cast iron’ s most common application today is in the cookware industry. Many of the major cast iron cookware manufacturers established the beginnings of their businesses in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, it was not until the mid-20th century ...
Where is the Vollrath Company?
The Vollrath Company of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, was the 1874 brain-child of Jacob J. Vollrath; it made enamel-glazed household utensils and porcelain and cast iron pots, pans, and more. Originally the “Georgia Stove Company,” the Atlanta Stove Works company was established in 1889 and was most famous for its cast-iron stoves.
When was the first French cast iron oven invented?
Traveling across the Atlantic, three big names immediately spring to the forefront of French cast iron: Le Creuset, Krampouz, and Staub. The first was founded in 1925 and still produces colorful enameled cast iron casseroles and Dutch ovens (although the company affectionately calls that latter category “French ovens”).
Where is the cast iron maker?
One notable independent and non-Western cast iron manufacturer is TAKU Ironware Company, which is based in Taichung, Taiwan. This firm employs local artists in the creation of cast iron cookware that is utterly unique. At the time of writing, several modern-day companies import their cast iron cookware from China for consumption in ...