Are cast iron skillets worth anything?
Cast iron skillets from the early centuries are worth the bucks for many good reasons. In fact, well-maintained skillets can get better with time to add value. But the trade involves marking detection, proper identification & exact pricing. How can a novice or beginner like you get past the guidelines to attend a success?
What is so great about a cast iron skillet?
The material in cast iron skillets is highly resistant to damage. Nonetheless, avoid cooking acidic food on these appliances. The acid can erode the metal and leave some metal particles on your food. Cast Iron Skillets Have High Versatility. As seen earlier, cast iron skillets offer a wide range of uses. They can bake, fry, broil, roast, sear, and perform other types of cooking.
Are cast iron skillets better than stainless steel?
While cast iron is known for its ability to retain heat, stainless steel pans are actually better at evenly distributing heat over a stovetop, according to chef and food writer Kenji Lopez-Alt. In an experiment testing various types of pans, he compared the heat conductivity of cast iron, stainless steel, and carbon steel.
Is a cast iron pan worth it?
If you can’t afford to replace multiple pans, you might as well opt for cast iron. These skillets are more affordable than your other options because not much goes into making them. The manufacturers pour molten iron into a mold in the shape of a pan. You can replace your entire cooking arsenal with cast iron and save tons of money.
What cast iron skillets are worth the most money?
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.
How can you tell if a cast iron skillet is vintage?
Oftentimes, the letters and numbers you'll find on the bottom of a vintage pan denote a pattern number or correspond to a particular cooking surface on a stove the pan might've been sold with, and unusual notches could be a maker's mark incorporated into the piece to identify the actual person who crafted it.
What is considered vintage cast iron?
Only cast iron made between the late 19th and mid-20th century is considered “vintage.” That's basically anything produced before 1957. Most cast-iron goods from this time period were made by just a handful of companies: Birmingham Stove & Range. Griswold Manufacturing.
How do you date cast iron?
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 much is an old cast-iron skillet worth?
The value for an old/vintage/antique cast iron skillet can start from a mere $50 to reach $1500. As you can understand, the range of possibility is incredibly wide to say without facts. Likewise, all the essential points will decide the actual value for trading.
What do the numbers on the bottom of a cast-iron skillet mean?
Small Raised Letters or Numbers. There is a case in which you may see a small raised number, letter, or group of letters on a pan. These were added to the mold at the time of the casting, and are known as "molder's marks" (as opposed to "maker's marks" which were incised).
What is the oldest cast iron skillet 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.
When did they stop making cast iron?
Cast iron pipes finally went out of fashion in the 1980s. They were replaced by Polyvinyl Chloride plastic (PVC), which can be made quicker and more easily.
What are the 5 types of cast irons?
Various types of cast irons are produced using different heat treatment and processing techniques, including gray iron, white iron, malleable iron, ductile iron, and compacted graphite iron. Cast iron design details are produced by smelting metal and pouring it into a mold.
What does the number 8 mean on cast iron?
Why the number "8"? - Our cookware uses traditional American cast iron sizing metrics dating back to the 1800's. The numbers correlate to the size of eyes on antique wood stoves as cast iron cookware and wood stoves often went hand in hand. The number 8 is traditionally a top diameter 10.5" skillet.
Can you use PAM on cast iron?
Do not try to use nonstick sprays like Pam to season your cast iron skillet, as they contain other ingredients that aren't good for your pan.
Why are old cast-iron pans 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 color is vintage iron?
The Antique Iron finish is a natural looking finish that is available on iron and steel. It is achieved by applying a lacquer coating on the metal which protects and preserves the look of the finish, a light matte grey. The finish code for antique iron is AI.
Is vintage cast iron better than new?
Many cast-iron aficionados swear that older is definitely better—better as in more durable, conducts heat more evenly, and withstands arduous conditions. While cast-iron pans continue to be made from the same material no matter what the era, production methods have changed as demand increased.
What is the oldest cast iron skillet 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.
How old 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.
How to Identify Antique Cast Iron Skillet?
Finding a genuine, usable, precious antique requires close observation. And professionals let you identify an antique through the following considerations.
What are some good videos on cast iron skillets?
YouTube also contains many great videos on cast iron skillets. Consider starting with the videos on Cast Iron Chaos, The DCpicker, EcoTechnify, Homesteading Family.
How much does an antique skillet weigh?
The average weight of an antique skillet should range from 4 lbs up to 12 lbs. However, standard skillets in the 19th-century kitchens had 12”m diameter to weigh around 8 lbs. Of course, the actual weight should differ by size & material thickness.
What is an antique skillet?
Antique skillets held the cooking pan with its handle altogether without discontinuity. It’s undeniably a clear distinction from the modern-day designs from every aspect. Heavily insulated polymer handle remains attached to the steel pan with screws/rivets.
What is a modern skillet?
Modern skillets feature lightweight aluminum as well as dependable stainless steel constructions. But the earlier old-school designs had high-quality cast iron of significant thickness on all sides. And it directly contributes to the free skillet weight on hands.
What are the signs of aging on iron?
The hundred-year-old iron has to contain deterioration or damage marks as aging signs. However, we’re explicitly talking about somewhat visible rusts or warps on the surface. The brownish/reddish-colored rusted spots may even check acid erosion.
How old is a gate marked cast iron griddle?
Manufactured sometime from the 1750’s to the 1880’s, this antique gate marked cast iron griddle is in reasonable condition, considering it is well over 100 years old. It sits flat. There is no wobble. The cooking surface is smooth. The are utensil marks from normal use. Due to the manufacturing process used in the 1800’s, the bottom surface of the gated side and the outside walls are rough by design, but there is also deep pitting as well. There are no cracks and there have been no repairs. Source: Ebay.com
How much does a cast iron skillet cost?
Most local home stores sell a good-quality skillet for around $15-20. With cast iron, you can elevate the taste of your home-cooked meal from ordinary to extraordinary without burning a hole in your pocket.
What is the advantage of cast iron?
The advantage of cast iron is that once you warm it, it remains hot. This property of cast iron pans is known as high volumetric heat capacity. This characteristic is fundamental when you want to sear meat.
What makes cast iron pans non-stick?
What makes cast iron pans non-stick? It is the seasoning process. Which is a thin layer of polymerized oil coating applied to the inside of your cast iron pan.
What pans were made in the early 20th century?
The vintage Wagner and Griswold pans of the early 20th century are priceless possessions. In the past, iron casters made cast iron pans by using sand molds.
What is cast iron used for?
This feature makes cast iron perfect for pan roasting vegetables and chicken.
What can you make with cast iron pans?
Whether it is an affordable or more expensive piece of cookware you can make an assortment of mouth-watering appetizers, cornbread, main dishes, and even desserts in a cast iron pan.
How to get smoke off of cast iron?
Place a cast-iron skillet over the burner on high heat. When the water dries out, add some canola oil and rub it around with a paper towel. Keep heating until smoke comes off. Let it cool.
What color is a cast iron skillet?
You can tell by the color of a skillet whether it's pre-seaoned or not: bare cast iron is a silverish gray color, while seasoned cast iron is dark brown or black.
How much does a 12 inch skillet weigh?
If you can afford it, the Field 12-inch skillet is light at only 6 pounds, with a ground and polished surface that makes it a pleasure to use right out of the box, though like all pre-seasoned cast iron, it would benefit from more seasoning. The 9.75-inch cooking surface is roomy. Heating performance is very similar to cast iron costing significantly less, however, so unless the lighter weight and/or smooth surface are primary considerations, you can get virtually the same heating and durability for a fraction of the price from Lodge.
What Is Seasoning? And Why Is it Necessary?
Seasoning is the process of adding a coating of oil (or fat) to the cooking surface of a cast iron skillet and heating it until it forms a protective coating. Without this seasoning, cast iron rusts very quickly and will also react with acidic foods, giving them an off, metallic flavor. Thus, seasoning is an essential part of using a cast iron skillet.
What About Enameled Cast Iron?
Enameling solves the problem of having to seaon by coating the cast iron with durable, long-lived, ceramic-based enamel. The baked-on enamel is almost as durable as cast iron itself, though it can chip if you whack it too hard with a steel spatula (for example), and it can get small surface cracks ("crazing") from abrupt temperature changes. In general, though, the enamel coating is pretty tough (especially on the high-end brands such as le Crueset and Staub ).
What are the advantages and disadvantages of enameled cast iron?
The advantages of enameled cast iron are that it doesn't require seasoning, and there are no worries about the cast iron reacting with food or rusting. Disadvantages are that the enameled surface, while smooth, cannot replicate the nonstick surface of well-seasoned cast iron.
How big is a cast iron pan?
All pans are 12-inches (though makers offer other sizes which can be rated similarly) All pans come pre-seasoned (see more on seasoning and the best fats to use below) All pans have a cast iron (not enameled or nonstick) cooking surface. Pan Category: Pros.
How many stars does cast iron have?
All cast iron gets 5 stars for durability. Its reputation for lasting for decades--even centuries--is valid, and this is true for all cast iron skillets (regardless of what you spend).
How much is cast iron 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 number on an iron skillet?
The only iron skillets that aren't collectible are marked with the numbers 3, 6 and 8. Those were part of every newlywed's starter set. The best frying pan is marked with the number 1. It's a four-inch toy worth $1,000 if you can find one.
How much is a 13 griswold worth?
Just the lid to a number 13 is worth $500. Oval skillets, waffle irons, Dutch ovens and roasting pans are worth from $40 to as much as $500 each. Holiday cake molds start at $70, but Santa brings $400. Griswold made more than 200 varieties of muffin and gem pans (a gem is a type of muffin).
Is cast iron pans a collectible?
Used for generations for their durability, cast-iron pans are back in style, this time as collectibles. The Saturday Early Show's Collectibles Expert Tony Hyman says some collectors will pay a heavy price for your old pans.
How heavy is a cast iron skillet?
Cast iron cookware should feel quite heavy. The weight usually ranges from 4-12 lbs. The standard size for a cast iron skillet is 12 inches and the average weight at that size is 8 lbs. The weight scales up or down depending on the size of the skillet. Check the bottom of the pan.
What are the numbers on cast iron skillets?
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. They are still fantastic pans to use, but you won't be making a ton of cash off of these old cast iron skillets.
Where can you find good vintage cast iron?
Vintage cast iron can be found in a variety of places, for a variety of prices that don't always coincide with the true value.
What is the best cast iron cookware?
The best way to quickly narrow down your cast iron cookware's origins is by checking the bottom for the insignia from a manufacturer. Some of the most popular and quality vintage cast iron makers of the last two centuries were as follows: 1 Griswold Manufacturing 2 The Vollrath Company 3 Wagner Ware 4 Favourite 5 Atlanta Stove Works 6 Wapak
Why do cast iron pans have a number?
There was an opening at the top that the cast iron pan sat upon, so the number was an indicator of compatibility between the pan and the type of stove it could be used with. These pans were often made by the same company that made the stove, and every company had a slightly different system.
How was the cast iron pan made?
It was all made by hand. The cast iron/steel was hand-poured into sand molds which gave the maker more control. The result was lighter cookware which was then ground down with stone to make the pan's surface smooth and flat.
What is a letter in a pan?
The letter is a way to differentiate and identify exactly which mold the pan was cast from.
Who makes the best vintage skillets?
Closely following Griswold is Wagner for the best vintage skillets. You will find a skillet manufactured by Wagner just as smooth and light as Griswold. However, you are likely to pick up a pan for less. And it’s not uncommon the see pitting on the base of late 1800s to early 1900s pans. But this will not affect usability.
What is the lightest vintage skillet?
The top vintage skillets on my list are Erie. Erie skillets are some of the lightest vintage pans around. The pans come in six slightly different handle designs and logo variations, with the first and fourth being the most sought-after. There is another vintage Erie pan with a spider on the base. However, these pans are scarce and command and high price tag.
How to identify a lodge pan?
You can recognize the vintage pans usually by identify notches on the heat ring. However, the more favored logo has the word LODGE in a slight arc on the base. Skillets with this marking are harder to find. And many vintage Lodge pans are unmarked, so they often go unnoticed by many buyers.
Do foundries make smooth pans?
Before we start, it’s good the know that many foundries made light and smooth pans. And some of my favorites do not make my list. I have taken into account the likelihood that you can easily recognize the pans. And the chance of you finding one when you go shopping. Therefore I have left out rare, expensive, and skillets without logos.
Does Wanger make nickel plated cast iron?
However, Wanger made nickel-plated cast iron cookware. So I recommend checking the pan carefully before you purchase. And even though nickel-platted as sold cheaper, I would opt for a regular cast-iron skillet for your first pan.
Do vintage skillets have pitting?
These skillets are old, so make sure to check for cracks and warpage before purchasing. Many of the Erie may have pitting on the base. However, these pans are some of the best vintage pans, and any pitting will not affect usability.
