What makes Griswold cast iron so expensive?

Author: Ms. Pascale Heller  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Paying Extra For The Griswold Name One of the reasons Griswold cast iron is so expensive is simply down to people willing to pay more. People looking to buy one or two pans will likely pay extra for the Griswold name.

What is so special about Griswold cast iron?

Griswold pans, like many other vintage cast iron brands, were made with quality craftsmanship. After casting, they went through an additional step called milling, resulting in a silky-smooth surface. This not only allows for easier seasoning but also ensures an even cooking experience.

What is the most valuable Griswold cast iron skillet?

A #0 pan, the very smallest and the #20 pan, the very largest, can sell for high prices, topping $10,000 or more. Because of the many idiosyncrasies and variations of Griswold pans, rarity can be hard to determine. When collecting Griswold, condition is extremely important.

Who makes the highest quality cast iron skillet?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Overall: Lodge Blacklock Cast Iron Skillet at Amazon $60. ...
  • Best Budget: SALE. ...
  • Best Enameled: Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skillet at Amazon $220. ...
  • Best Splurge: Stargazer Cast Iron Skillet at Amazon $135. ...
  • Best Set: Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 5-Piece Set at Amazon $100. ...
  • Most Versatile: ...
  • Best Grill Pan:

What is the most sought after cast iron?

The most sought after Wapak cast iron are the pans with the “Indian head" medallion on them, which was produced from 1903-1926. The rarest and most collectible is the #4 skillet--until recently.

Collecting 101: Cast Iron Cookware! Griswold Wagner History Popularity & Value! Episode 3

What is the best grade of cast iron?

V-2 (class 40) Gray Iron, ASTM B48:

V-2 is ideally suited for straight wear applications and possesses the highest strength, hardness, resistance to wear and heat treat response for an unalloyed gray iron.

What is the oldest cast iron brand?

Where every piece of our seasoned cast iron cookware begins. Lodge Cast Iron is the oldest and longest-running cast iron manufacturer in the United States.

What cast iron pan does Gordon Ramsay use?

Why Gordon Ramsay Uses Hexclad Pans & Cookware Sets | Hexclad – HexClad Cookware.

Does cast iron get better with age?

The more you use cast iron, the smoother it becomes. Each time you cook with oil, the seasoning on your cast iron improves, making you cast iron darker and smoother. After a few years of regular use, the finish on your cast iron will be very smooth, similar to cast iron you might find at the flea market.

What is #1 cast iron?

Grey cast iron is characterised by its graphitic microstructure, which causes fractures of the material to have a grey appearance. It is the most commonly used cast iron and the most widely used cast material based on weight.

When did Griswold stop making skillets?

Griswold Manufacturing (/ˈɡrɪzwɔːld, -wəld/) was an American manufacturer of cast-iron kitchen products founded in Erie, Pennsylvania, in business from 1865 through 1957. For many years the company had a world-wide reputation for high-quality cast-iron cookware.

Which is better Wagner or Griswold cast iron?

Probably deservedly so. Griswold is undoubtedly some of the best ironware you can use. However, there is another big name in vintage cast iron, and that's Wagner. Wagner cookware is arguably just as good, and there are excellent pans for you to use and collect.

What does number 8 mean on cast iron?

Field sizing is based on vintage cast iron conventions, so our No. 8 size means a 10 ¼" width, edge-to-edge. Dimensions: 10 ¼" diameter.

Why are older cast iron skillets better?

Myth 6: Vintage is Better Than New

The Reality: The material may be the same, but the production methods have changed. In the old days, cast iron pans were produced by casting in sand-based molds, and then polishing the resulting pebbly surfaces until smooth. Vintage cast iron tends to have a satiny smooth finish.

Who bought Griswold cast iron?

The foundry was demolished in 2023. In 2000, both the Griswold and Wagner brands were acquired by the American Culinary Corporation of Willoughby, Ohio. In 2022, the brand was reintroduced to the market by the newly established Wagner Cast Iron. The company manufactures reissues of historic Wagner cookware products.

Did Wagner and Griswold merge?

In 1957 Randall's Wagner division acquired Griswold Manufacturing from McGraw-Edison. In 1959 Randall was itself acquired by Textron. Textron sold the Wagner and Griswold lines to General Housewares Corporation (GHC) in 1969.

What will ruin a cast iron skillet?

6 Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Cast Iron Skillets
  • You don't allow time for the pan to heat up. ...
  • You use the same skillet for savory and sweet. ...
  • You don't clean the pan quickly enough. ...
  • You let your skillet soak. ...
  • You don't re-season the skillet. ...
  • You store the skillet while it's still wet.

When should you throw away cast iron?

The more you use a rusted pan, the more iron you'll consume in your food. It's best to avoid cooking with a rusty cast iron pan. If it's reached the point of corrosion or deep rust, throw it away rather than risk your and your family's health.

How can you tell if cast iron is good quality?

Features to Look for in Cast Iron Cookware
  1. Handles: Check on the cookware's handles. ...
  2. Thickness and weight: In general, with cast iron, the thicker and heavier it is, the better. ...
  3. Quality of enamel coating: If you're buying a cast iron pan that's enameled, make sure that the enamel is high quality.

What pans does Bobby Flay use?

Top Brand: GreenPan

Bobby Flay and GreenPan thought of everything. These pans are crafted from professional grade tri-ply stainless steel and feature a powerful aluminum core for incredible durability, faster heating, and no hot spots. This clad stainless steel collection is the best of both worlds.

Does Gordon Ramsay actually like HexClad?

What type of cookware do I use at home? Only HexClad 👉 it's just that good. Built with patented hybrid technology, this is how I cook my dishes to absolute perfection.

Which cast iron pan is the best?

The Lodge 10.25-Inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet has proven time and time again to be the best overall cast iron due to its unrivaled consistent heating at a stellar price.

How old is Griswold cast iron?

Founded in Erie in 1868, Griswold had a world-wide reputation for high quality, cast iron cookware.

Where can I buy Griswold cast iron?

Undoubtedly, eBay has the widest selection of Griswold cast iron available. With new listings on the site daily, you will have no shortage of choices.

Which cast iron is made in USA?

GRIZZLY Cookware is the toughest cast iron cookware made in America and it's ready to handle the toughest environments. From the unforgiving pace of an industrial kitchen to the unforgiving crowd in your home kitchen or set atop an open flame in the great outdoors, get GRIZZLY to handle it all.

Previous article
How long does it take for maggots to turn into flies?
Next article
What is the longest lasting wood finish?