Thread: Cast iron?

In looking at more Griswold #7's for comps on Ebay and Etsy, I'm glad I picked up this skillet for such a great price. I'm seeing 1.5 to even 2 to 4 times the price for skillets that aren't even in as good a shape. I need to start prowling more antique stores!

And Tim-that does look very old. I can see it hanging over a fireplace with a pot of stew bubbling away. That is what I would try in it anyway.

So.....I don’t have any holy grail cast iron pans....But if I was to get a couple...are the Griswolds the one to have ?

Originally Posted by nessmuck

So.....I don’t have any holy grail cast iron pans....But if I was to get a couple...are the Griswolds the one to have ?

I'm no expert, but I know they are highly regarded with good reason. I'm enjoying my "new" one immensely.

'One' of the things that I 'Prefer' with the vintage CI like the Griswold, Wagners, Birmingham, Stove and Range and even 'No Name' vintage cast iron is that they took the time to smooth things up. Once nicely seasoned the bottoms feel like glass.

'Most' modern CI has castings that are quite rough and while you can season them I really like the smoother surface.

I smoothed up the Lodge griddle that I have but it was a pain (I used a handheld belt sander/then a palm sander). With that said I like it a lot better than when I tried using it with the original seasoned rough casting.

Personally I wouldn't worry about seeking out the 'Name Brands' I'd look for a nice piece that has a smooth bottom that's not full of pits.It doesn't have to be of 'Collectable Quality just a nice piece that you will enjoy using for many years to come.

I hope this has been of some help.

Originally Posted by nessmuck

So.....I don’t have any holy grail cast iron pans....But if I was to get a couple...are the Griswolds the one to have ?

Are you going to collect or use?

Pre 1900 ones are the better users if they are in great shape or have the right name doesn't make a difference to myself.

Many different later ones may be worth more and have better collector value.

The Holy Grail doesn't mean it is going to cook any better.

Originally Posted by 32t

Are you going to collect or use?

Pre 1900 ones are the better users if they are in great shape or have the right name doesn't make a difference to myself.

Many different later ones may be worth more and have better collector value.

The Holy Grail doesn't mean it is going to cook any better.

Yep, I'm a user not a collector. My Griswold #7 definitely has that glassy surface. I just scramble eggs for the wife; they slid right out, wiped out with a paper towel and a thin film of oil wiped back in and done.

Hmmmmm Looks like Lodge is upping the Ante'

I haven't seen one yet

https://shop.lodgemfg.com/prodcat/blacklock.asp

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Hmmmmm Looks like Lodge is upping the Ante'

I haven't seen one yet

https://shop.lodgemfg.com/prodcat/blacklock.asp

Supposed to be 25% lighter. I doubt that the finish is going to be any smoother. I haven't seen any around here yet but if I do I'll be sure to get some pics.

Awhile back I picked up a nice Griswold #9 Waffle Iron. Here's the FleaBay pics:





I used a lye water bath to get rid of the excess build up. There was quite a bit of rust and while I could have either wire brushed it off OR just seasoned over it I wanted to have it blasted.

The project got put on the back burner and I finally got a hold of a guy who does soda blasting and sandblasting here in WW. I could have used the glass bead cabinet at a friends automotive machine shop but I've bothered them more than I care to of late so I paid to have it cleaned up.

I had told the guy that I wanted the pieces 'Soda Blasted' but when I went to pick it up he said that he'd used a very fine sand instead. He did compliment me on the quality of the cast iron as he said that he often sees small chunks come off of what he called 'inferior cast iron'.

Anyway here it is right after cleaning. I didn't bother taking a pic of the inside as it was the same as the outside.



Here it is after two applications of 'Buzzy Wax'. I melted some in a tin can and used an old basting brush to apply. Putting the wax on was a breeze-- removing the excess was a major pain





I'll be seasoning the insides some more and will probably use some lard and then give some Krustez Waffles a go before making waffle batter from scratch.

I figure that once the outside temps cool down and the grandkids come for the day we'll have breakfast for supper with waffles leading the parade.

Grandpa fixin' supper-reminds me of this: