Griswold pans, like many other vintage cast iron brands, were made with quality craftsmanship. After casting, they went through an additional step called polish-grinding, resulting in a silky-smooth surface. This not only allows for easier seasoning but also ensures an even cooking experience.
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.
The prices you are seeing online are because of rarity and the collecting market. There are people who collect Griswold and some pieces are so rare that they go for literally thousands of dollars. The ``spider'' Griswold pans, for example.
One of the most dependable and well-known brands of cast iron products is Lodge. Their cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens are known for their constant cooking and excellent heat retention. But another outstanding brand is Le Creuset.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After cooking, articles stuck to the pan should be loosened with a spoon. Put hot water in the pan and bring it to a boil. Let the pan soak for several minutes, empty the water and then wipe dry with a paper towel. Reheat the pan and apply just enough grease to cover the surface before stowing it away.
The value of antique cast iron skillets can start at similar to new prices, but a super rare Wagner or Griswold can fetch up to $1,500 apiece. A mint condition, super rare "spider skillet" made in the 1890s by Griswold is worth up to $8,000.
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.
White Iron
The cementite microcrystalline structure is hard and brittle with a high compressive strength and good wear resistance. In certain specialized applications, it is desirable to have white iron on the surface of the product.
Founded in Erie in 1868, Griswold had a world-wide reputation for high quality, cast iron cookware.
Some cast-iron skillets, including those made by Lodge, come pre-seasoned. You'll notice they have a smooth, non-greasy, softly lacquered surface. Those that don't come pre-seasonsed have a matte gray finish—until you season them, at which point they become shiny and closer to black in color.
With proper care, a good cast iron pan can last for generations, becoming even better with age. Whether you're new to cast iron or just need a refresher, this care guide will help you keep your pan in top shape.
Cooking in cast iron cookware can offer potential health benefits. Cast iron leaches small amounts of iron into food during cooking, which can contribute to meeting dietary iron needs, especially for individuals at risk of iron deficiency.
The term “pig iron” dates back to the time when hot metal was cast into ingots before being charged to the steel plant. The moulds were laid out in sand beds such that they could be fed from a common runner. The group of moulds resembled a litter of sucking pigs, the ingots being called “pigs” and the runner the “sow.”
In 1957, the Randall Company purchased long-term competitor Griswold from McGraw Edison. The Randall Company sold the cast iron businesses to Textron Corp in 1959. General Housewares Corporation bought Textron in 1969. In 1994, the production of Wagner Ware ended.
This is a Griswold size #8 and it measures about 10.5 inches in diameter. This example is from the large block logo era, and judging from the smooth bottom with no heat ring, it was probably produced sometime in the 1930s.