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.
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.
Lodge Cast Iron is the oldest and longest-running cast iron manufacturer in the United States. Originally called Blacklock, founder Joseph Lodge fired up a long-dormant railroad foundry in South Pittsburg, Tennessee in 1896.
Folks lucky enough to own and use Griswold cast iron will almost certainly say yes. Griswold is known as one of the finest quality brands of cast iron ever made. Their pans are always very thin and light, and polished smooth with a glass-like surface, and cooking in a Griswold pan is a wonderful experience.
Cast iron fell out of favor in the 1960s and 1970s, as teflon-coated aluminum non-stick cookware was introduced and quickly became the item of choice in many kitchens.
In 1980, cast iron pipes were no longer the pipe of choice. Builders and plumbers replaced cast iron with rigid PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride plastic), which is easier to make, can be made quickly, is harder than other options, and has greater tensile strength. It is essentially a cheaper, faster alternative to cast iron.
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.
The difference between a well-seasoned Griswold and a modern Lodge pan is like night and day—Griswold pans release food effortlessly, are lighter to handle, and can hold their seasoning for years.
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.
With proper care, a good cast iron pan can last for generations, becoming even better with age.
As of 2022, the brand was reintroduced to the market by Wagner Cast Iron with guidance from the Wagner family. The company produces reissues of vintage designs, beginning with the Long Griddle No. 1148.
Cast iron cookware can be used on a ceramic glass-top stove without causing damage to the surface or pan itself. Take the stress out of dinner with the ability to cook a variety of different meals in a cast iron pan without damaging your cooktop.
Don't let that scare you off—a cast iron skillet can last a lifetime (or longer!) and is easy to maintain if you remember a few simple cleaning tips. If you ever mess it up, don't worry: The great thing about cast iron is that it's easy to restore.
The price of the skillets we tested ranged from $18 to $350.
Paying Extra For The Griswold Name
Some may overlook brands of equal quality and pay extra for the Griswold name. However, this interest from a large buyer pool undoubtedly increases the asking prices from sellers and makes Griswold more expensive than other vintage brands.
Cast iron is naturally grey. The first layers of seasoning we apply to your Smithey give it a copper shade. As you cook with your Smithey, it will take on a time-honored deep black patina.
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.
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.
In each of the main films of the series, the Griswold children are portrayed by different actors. This is usually attributed to the fact that after Anthony Michael Hall declined to reprise his role in European Vacation in order to star in Weird Science, director Amy Heckerling requested both children be recast.
The numbers correlate to the size of ports on antique wood stoves as cast iron cookware and wood stoves often went hand in hand. The number 10 is traditionally a top diameter 11.5" skillet.
Today I learned about casting marks or otherwise known as gate marks. These are a line where the pan was broke from the mold. They stopped making them this way in the 1890's, so I guess I have a real vintage griddle.
Founded in Erie in 1868, Griswold had a world-wide reputation for high quality, cast iron cookware.