A gate mark appears as a raised scar or slash across the bottom of pans. Gate marked pans typically do not have the manufacturer's name on them. Gate marked pans are the oldest of the old cast iron cookware; almost certainly antique. The gate mark is a remnant of the casting process that was used in the 1800's. Click to see full answer.
Full Answer
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.
How to identify cast iron cookware?
How to Identify Cast-Iron Cookware Marks 1 Brand. A manufacturer of cast-iron cookware often stamps its name in large text on the underside of the piece. 2 Size. A number corresponding to the cast-iron cookware's size usually appears on the top of the handle or on the underside of the piece. 3 Pattern. ... 4 Considerations. ...
How to tell how old a cast iron skillet is?
Luckily, this is not the only way that you can figure out how to tell how old a cast iron skillet is. Another effective way to tell the age is to look for markings on the pan. Some cast-iron skillet pans have markings that can easily be searched for online.
Where were the first cast iron pans made?
Other early makers were generally scattered around the Midwest near the natural resources that created cast iron. Griswold pieces may also have their factory location, "Erie Pa." on the bottom of the pan. Wagner was located in Sydney, Ohio.
What does gate mark mean on cast iron?
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.
How do you identify cast iron gates?
1:574:00Cast Iron Cookware Gate Marks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause they went to a side casting process and if you look in some of your skillets let's see youMoreBecause they went to a side casting process and if you look in some of your skillets let's see you can see right on the where the handle is that this is where.
How can you tell if cast iron is vintage?
5:3528:47Identifying Old Cast Iron Pans - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe can use this as a marker for dating the age of a pan if your pan has a stamp saying made in USAMoreWe can use this as a marker for dating the age of a pan if your pan has a stamp saying made in USA you can guarantee. It was made after the Year 1960. And if it doesn't have a made in USA stamp.
How can I tell what brand my cast iron is?
“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 ...
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What is the name of the cookware that is stamped on the underside of the piece?
A manufacturer of cast-iron cookware often stamps its name in large text on the underside of the piece. For example, Wagner, Griswold, Lodge, Wapak and Favorite are some common names seen in cast-iron cookware.
What is the size of cast iron?
A number corresponding to the cast-iron cookware's size usually appears on the top of the handle or on the underside of the piece. Standard-size numbers, starting with the smallest, range from 2 to 14, and then jump to 20, the largest.
What year was Griswold cookware made?
For example, Griswold cookware made between 1865 and 1909 is marked “Erie,” for the city in which it was made, without displaying the company’s name. Compare the logo and writing style to an identification guide book on vintage cast iron to provide further clues to your cookware’s age.
How big is a 6 inch skillet?
For example, the bottom diameter of a "6" skillet usually measures around 7 1/2 inches. Though each brand produces roughly the same dimensions for each size number, they often measure slightly differently, so that a "6" pan made by one company may be a little larger than one made by another. Instead of using traditional size numbering, some brands ...
Where are the numbers on cookware?
They usually appear on the underside of the cookware and identify the mold used to cast the piece. Each manufacturer uses a slightly different numbering system and within each company pattern, numbers may differ depending when and where the piece was made.
Is cast iron cookware a forgery?
Due to high demand, certain vintage cast-iron cookware brands carry inflated prices and greater incidence of forgery. Fakes often have rough, irregular surfaces, casting flaws and faint markings. Look for pieces with crisp, well-defined edges and clear markings that are easy to read. Before purchasing an expensive piece with thick grease buildup, consider consulting a professional about cleaning the cookware so you can more accurately read the markings.
What are the most sought after brands of cast iron cookware?
Here's how to begin to decide which cookware to keep (and use) and which to put in the rummage sale. Look for a maker's name and location. Griswold and Wagner are the two most sought-after brands of antique cast iron cookware, but many more companies made cast iron cookware, too. Fanner, Crusoe, Puritan, Columbus and other makers produced cast iron ...
Where was cast iron made?
Fanner, Crusoe, Puritan, Columbus and other makers produced cast iron cookware in the shadows of the steel mills of the Monongahela and Ohio River valleys in Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio from the middle of the 19th century through the 20th century. Other early makers were generally scattered around the Midwest near the natural resources ...
When was Wagner Hollow Ware founded?
Griswold Manufacturing Company was established in 1865 and was purchased by Wagner Ware in 1957. The Wagner Hollow Ware began in 1881 and became the Wagner Manufacturing Company in 1891.
Can you dispose of old cast iron pans?
Never dispose of a good old cast iron pan. Most old pans, even painted and rusted, are reclaimable, and many cooks swear by them as the best cookware available. "Newer" cast iron (after 1950) is considered inferior to the older, harder "black" cast iron and much of it is amazingly light.
Is cast iron worth anything?
As with any collectibles, cast iron (even Griswold or Wagner Ware) is only worth what people are willing to pay for it. A quick check on eBay will confirm that pieces that are over-priced by their owners draw few bids.
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.
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.
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.
What year was the Vollrath skillet made?
In this case, it means that you have a Vollrath pan that was made during the 1930s to the 1940s.
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.
How to tell the age of a cast iron skillet?
Telling the Age by Markings. Another effective way to tell the age is to look for markings on the pan. Some cast-iron skillet pans have markings that can easily be searched for online. In fact, that is how people usually learn about the origins of their pan. Based on the kind of markings the pan has, you can discover just who made the pan, ...
When were lodge skillets made?
These skillets were made by the Lodge Manufacturing Company and are considered genuinely vintage. They were made as early as the 1930s.
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.