How can I tell who made my cast-iron skillet?

How can I tell who made my cast-iron skillet?

If the pan has notches in the heat ring and also features the text Made in USA, it is Lodge skillet that was made in the 1960s. However, if the unmarked pan has raised letters at the bottom and a handle with a number on it, then it was made in the late 1800s to early 1900.

What is a gate mark on cast iron What does it mean?

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.

Where are the numbers on a cast iron skillet?

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 should I look for in an antique cast iron pan?

Finally check for rock or movement in the pan. Although antique cast iron is desired because it’s lighter than modern cast iron cookware is comes with one drawback. Older lighter skillets may be warped or bowed. Any movement may negatively affect the price and in some cases usability.

Where was the original Griswold cast iron skillet made?

Original Griswold skillets are collectors’ items and bring high prices on the open market. In 1957, another cast iron cookware manufacturer, Wagner, bought out Griswold and closed the Erie production facility. An original cast iron manufacturer, Wagner had been in the cookware business since 1891 and was located in Sidney, Ohio.

What are the ghost marks on a cast iron skillet?

“Ghost marks” are almost invisible trademarks on the bottom of cast iron skillets that indicate a manufacturer other than that of the company claiming to be the producer. Often, a company such as Wapak bought product from other manufacturers and didn’t do a good job erasing the original maker’s name.

What are the numbers on a cast iron skillet?

Though wood-burning stoves gave way to gas, and eventually electric stovetops, this system of numbering continued as the standard for sizing cast iron cookware. A Wagner Manufacturing Co. catalog dated 1924 provides this code for the bottom diameters of their cast iron skillets: #2 – 4-7/8″. #3 – 5-1/2″. #4 – 5-7/8″.

How old is an unmarked cast iron skillet?

Let’s explore tips on how to identify unmarked iron skillets. When you spot a cast iron skillet at the junkyard or flea market, it could be a hundred years old. So it helps if you review common cast iron brands before you start scouring salvage piles.

What to look for in an antique iron skillet?

Look at the condition of the iron. In a vintage piece, the cast iron will be dark, free from rust, and smooth. A newer bank will have a silvery cast, may have rust, and often will have sharp edges. Look at the condition. A vintage bank is expected to have some wear to the paint.

What does a heat ring on a cast iron skillet mean?

Since the heat ring denotes use on a wood stove, it also means the piece is an antique! “Makers marks,” in cast iron history, not bourbon history, are the easiest way to identify antique cast iron. With the name and logo emblazoned on the bottom of the skillet, its origin can be traced and even dated.