Because Griswold Manufacturing ceased production decades ago, you can only buy authentic Griswold cast iron through vintage and antique channels. Prices generally range from $ 90 to over $ 600 depending on the piece's condition and rarity.
Amazon.com: Griswold Skillets.
Manufactured with different logos throughout the years, the Griswold Company produced cast iron pieces from 1865 until 1957. Some desirable logos for Griswold cast iron include Seldon & Griswold, their first logo until 1883, and the Griswold Manufacturing Company blocked letters with a large cross.
Vintage Griswold cast iron (produced from 1865 to 1957) is widely considered superior to modern cast iron because of its exceptionally lightweight build, silky-smooth cooking surface, and superior thermal balance. These historical pieces are prized by chefs and collectors for several key traits:
Yes, vintage Griswold cast iron is highly valuable. Pieces generally range from $100 to $500 for standard skillets, but rare or highly coveted items can sell for thousands of dollars. The brand is considered the "Cadillac" of vintage cookware due to its smooth finish, light weight, and high-quality craftsmanship.
The "Holy Grail" of Griswold collecting is the Erie #8 Spider Skillet, produced between 1890 and 1891. Featuring a spiderweb logo borrowed from Scottish folklore, it was pulled from production almost immediately, making original survivors incredibly scarce and highly prized.
Whether Griswold is better than Lodge depends on what you value most. Griswold is superior for its lightweight design and polished, non-stick surface, while Lodge excels in heat retention, durability, and budget-friendly value.
Wagner is often the cast iron choice for everyday cooks who want heritage, performance, and affordability all in one. While Griswold gets much of the collector hype, Wagner stands strong as a beautifully made, reliable skillet brand that still performs just as well today as it did 100 years ago.
The most sought-after cast iron skillets fall into three distinct categories: premium modern artisan pans, luxurious enameled options, and elusive vintage "holy grail" collectibles.
The original Griswold Manufacturing Company, famous for its high-quality cast-iron cookware, went out of business and closed its iconic Erie, Pennsylvania, factory on December 7, 1957.
The "best" cast iron brand depends on your needs, but Lodge is the undisputed top pick for affordability and durability. For premium unseasoned pans, Smithey Ironware and Lancaster Cast Iron are leading choices. If you want low-maintenance enameled cast iron, Le Creuset and Staub set the gold standard.
Avoid traditional non-stick pans with worn coatings or synthetic "forever chemicals" (PFAS), as well as unlined copper and reactive aluminum. Scratched or overheated pans release toxic fumes or leach heavy metals into your food.
Throughout the lifetime of your skillet, you may choose to reseason your cookware at home. We recommend choosing a neutral oil with a high smoke point. In the Lodge Test Kitchen, we often reach for vegetable or canola oil. Both are affordable and work great for at-home seasoning.
Avoid cooking highly acidic foods, delicate fish, strong-smelling dishes, and sticky foods (like eggs) in cast iron. These can strip your pan’s seasoning, leach metallic flavors into your food, or leave behind lingering odors.
In the context of cookware, a "#1 cast iron" typically refers to two different things depending on whether you are looking at modern or vintage pans:
Identify Griswold cast iron by examining the bottom for the iconic "Griswold" cross logo (within a double circle) and specific trademarks. Authentic, vintage Griswold pieces feature crisp lettering and typically include "ERIE, PA" or "Erie, PA". The size number is usually cast into the top of the handle.
Griswold skillets are expensive because they are no longer manufactured, highly coveted by antique collectors, and feature a lightweight, mirror-smooth casting process that is incredibly difficult to replicate today.
The best oil for seasoning cast iron is one that is refined, neutral, and has a high smoke point (above 400∘F400 raised to the composed with power F400∘F / 204∘C204 raised to the composed with power C204∘C). Top choices include grapeseed oil, avocado oil, and canola oil. These oils polymerize effectively into a durable, non-stick layer without leaving a sticky residue.
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.
No, original Griswold cast iron is no longer manufactured. The original foundry in Erie, Pennsylvania, closed in 1957 when the company was acquired by its rival, Wagner. After that, some pieces were briefly produced at the Wagner foundry in Ohio until those operations permanently shut down in 1999.
Tramontina's cast-iron Dutch ovens are now available at Costco in a budget-friendly bundle—two sizes for just $70. With enameled interiors, oven-safe construction, and rave reviews, they offer a great alternative to pricier brands like Le Creuset.
Field Company and Lodge represent two distinct philosophies of cast iron. Field pans are expensive, lightweight, and smooth, designed to mimic vintage, mid-century cookware. Lodge pans are heavy, affordable, and durable, serving as the modern workhorse of cast iron.
Griswold cast iron skillets, particularly sizes 2 and 4, are rare and highly sought after by collectors, with size 2 being the most valuable. Large Griswold skillets, especially sizes 13, 14, and 20, are also hard to find and in good condition, attracting a large buyer pool.
The best cast iron skillet depends on your needs, but Lodge is widely considered the best overall for its durability, affordability, and pre-seasoned surface. For premium, smooth-milled pans, Smithey Ironware is a top choice, while Le Creuset is the gold standard for enameled cast iron.
Lodge is highly affordable compared to boutique cast iron brands because of their highly automated, domestic manufacturing and minimalist, mass-market approach.