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.
Moreover, how can you tell if a cast iron skillet is vintage?
Maybe you are lucky enough to have inherited some cast iron from a relative or you want to shop for antique cast iron but don’t know where to start or what you should look for. If your pan was made before 1957, it’s considered vintage cast iron.
Just so, how do you date a Wagner cast iron skillet?
The best way to date Wagner Ware is by carefully examining the Wagner Ware logo on the bottom of your cast iron. The “Wagner,” “Wagner Ware” and “Sidney O” logos appeared and disappeared, were redesigned and repositioned on the bottom of the pan every few years beginning with the company’s founding in 1891.
How do you identify a Griswold?
How to Determine the Age of a Griswold Skillet
- Examine the center of the skillet bottom for a diamond shape with the word Erie inside it. Griswold used this design for its logo from 1884 through 1909.
- Look for an apostrophe in the Griswold logo. …
- Examine the bottom of the skillet for the Griswold logo inside a cross.
How do you identify cast iron markings?
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.
How old is a Wagner Ware cast iron skillet?
Wagner cast iron cookware is regarded by many as some of the finest examples of 19th and 20th century cast iron. And much of the cast iron is over 100 years old and still very usable today. These antique pans are sought-after by enthusiasts and those preferring vintage cast iron to newer pans.
How old is Wagner Ware?
In 1894, they started manufacturing aluminum cookware, making them one of the pioneer companies. They had the most advanced manufacturing facility, and they were globally recognized and awarded for it. During this period, they had competitors, such as the Sidney Hollow Ware founded by Philip Smith and Griswold.
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 do the letters mean on cast iron?
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 number 8 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.
What is the most collectible cast iron?
“To me, Griswold is the most collectible of the cast iron cookware, to me the Griswold pieces are the finest made, the most beautiful and in my experience as a seller, that is also the brand that most people want, most buyers want,” said Mary T.
What year did Wagner Ware go out of business?
Wagner Manufacturing Company
| Wagner salesman c. 1910 | |
|---|---|
| Defunct | 1953 |
| Fate | Acquired by Randall Company |
| Headquarters | Sidney, Ohio , US |
| Brands | Magnalite, Wagner Ware, National, Long Life, Wardway and Ward’s Cast Iron |