What is the most collectible cast iron skillet?
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.
Is cast iron supposed to be rough?
The entire concept of seasoning cast iron, which acts as a leveling agent so the proteins won’t adhere to the pan, was a result of home cooks trying to fill in this new, rougher surface. The roughness that you feel on much modern cast iron is sand, which used to be removed during the cast iron production process.
What is the rarest Griswold cast iron?
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.
How do I know if my cast iron is valuable?
From then on, the Nances began their search for unusual pieces of cast iron. Valuable ones are identified by distinctive marks on the back. Griswold, Wagner and Erie are the names you’ll want to find, although a skillet without a name can be identified by Nance and other collectors.
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 I get my cast iron skillet smooth?
If you want an even smoother result, move up to a higher grit sandpaper and lightly sand the surface. Wash the pan with soap to remove any dust or iron debris and dry thoroughly. Your pan’s seasoning has been completely removed from this process. Season thoroughly like you would a brand new pan.
Do they still make Griswold cast iron?
For many years the company had a world-wide reputation for high-quality cast-iron cookware. Today, Griswold pieces are collector’s items….Griswold Manufacturing.
| Industry | Cast-iron cookware |
|---|---|
| Fate | Acquired |
| Successor | McGraw-Edison |
| Headquarters | Erie, Pennsylvania , United States |
Why are Griswold skillets so expensive?
Due to the market value of Griswold’s iron skillets being really high, all of their products are actually sold at a higher price. As mentioned before, these products are made using high-quality materials. They are made using the perfect mix of materials that are great for cooking your favorite dishes.
What do the numbers mean on cast iron skillets?
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 spider skillet?
A “spider” is a long handled frying pan with 3 legs. It was used extensively around the fire to catch drippings from roasting meat and to saute vegetables. The long handle provided some space between the fire to cook.