Author Topic: Thanks to ebay - I GOT A GRISWOLD  (Read 3159 times)

jmart747

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Thanks to ebay - I GOT A GRISWOLD
« on: November 18, 2004, 02:50:01 PM »
Hello,

So I'm in a local art gallery, and the owner and I are talking Southern cooking. Iron Skillet Cornbread, Iron Skillet Green Beans, etc.

About this time I say that I have a crappy iron skillet from China, which looks nothing like my mother in law's black skillet...and let me tell ya, this woman knows how to use that skillet. He recommends I pickup a Griswold skillet, but the local antique shop wanted more than I was willing to give for the Griswold skillets they had.

Well, last night I won this skillet:  [smiley=yes.gif]
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=6130677084&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT

So after a heafty shipping charge, which is costing me almost the cost of the skillet, I hope to have it soon.

Can any of yall resident iron skillet experts tell me a little more about my new skillet?

Now, I just need to learn how to REALLY cook with it,
John

Steve_Stephens

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Re: Thanks to ebay - I GOT A GRISWOLD
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2004, 03:18:53 PM »
Well John, aside from welcoming you to the forum (Welcome!) you have found yourself a 1940's No.10 small trademark skillet with the old style handle.  These are very good users and should make a much better cooking pan than your one from the other side of the earth.  Griswold continued in production until the end of 1957.  Other than being just about the best make of iron cookware, Griswold makes a fascinating collectible (along with most other older makes and styles of iron cookware).  If you think you might want to get a few more sizes or might take an interest, pick up a copy of the "Blue Book" from your book store or the author or our president (at a discount).  You can find some links to the left with thier sites starting with The Panman who authored the book.  He is diligently working on a new edition of the Book of Blue right now in case you want to wait.  Skillets just like yours were made in sizes 3-10 (but not a No.4 with the early handle) and a 12 which a heat ring (rim around the outside of the bottom).  Griswold's skillets go larger with a 13, 14 and a 20 and smaller with a 2 and a 0, or toy, size.  Be careful buying on ebay that you watch for and ASK sellers about warps, cracks and hairline cracks, pitting, etc.  Good photos help a lot.  And, as you have found out, shipping can't be ignored.  Hopefully you will have told the shipper how to pack (tightly with good protection and padding) since iron may be tough but it is brittle.  Enjoy you new pan and come back for more visits here.
Steve

Offline Greg Stahl

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Re: Thanks to ebay - I GOT A GRISWOLD
« Reply #2 on: November 18, 2004, 03:48:54 PM »
I was in touch with David Smith just yesterday and among other things, I know that the revisions for the BLUE book were just sent back into Schiffer, so a new BLUE book revision/edition is already at the publisher.  I have no idea how long it takes to get to print at this point.

BTW, David is now working on the next WAGS convention, so if you are not a member of WAGS yet, you may want to consider it soon.  THis should be another great convention and tour of LODGE.
"NO MORE MISTER NICE GUY!!" Alice Cooper.

Offline C. B. Williams

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Re: Thanks to ebay - I GOT A GRISWOLD
« Reply #3 on: November 18, 2004, 07:13:17 PM »
Welcome John: I am another southerner, in Mississippi, and I think the info you got from Steve was enough to get you well on the way to knowing Griswold. The small label smooth bottom skillets make great cookers at very reasonable prices because they are not highly prized as collectables which keeps the price down. The cooking surface has been ground smooth at the foundry and the casting has a thin wall. Sometime you will see a 7 or 8 piece set that goes for a real deal on ebay. I recommend at least 3 or 4 in different sizes, and I know you are going to enjoy you new skillet. One word of warning, this can get addictive, we have many members here who can testify to that. You mentioned southern cooking, try our chefs and recipes sections, you might find them interesting. C B
« Last Edit: November 18, 2004, 07:14:37 PM by cbwilliams »
Hold still rabbit, so I can cook you.

Offline C. B. Williams

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Re: Thanks to ebay - I GOT A GRISWOLD
« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2004, 07:31:32 AM »
John: I see what looks like a nice #9 and #5 selling today in the small label by the same seller, you could combine the shipping and save. O, that was ebay.
Hold still rabbit, so I can cook you.

Offline C. B. Williams

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Hold still rabbit, so I can cook you.

jmart747

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Re: Thanks to ebay - I GOT A GRISWOLD
« Reply #6 on: November 19, 2004, 08:04:58 AM »
Heck,

I almost had to take out a bank loan to ship a single skillet  :)

I can't imagine what it would cost to ship that set. My wife would throw me out of the house and I'd be eating Ramen Noodles out of the new skillets for months.  ;D

John

Offline Duke Gilleland

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Re: Thanks to ebay - I GOT A GRISWOLD
« Reply #7 on: November 19, 2004, 08:43:38 AM »
 ;DJohn, I bought my first quality skillet off of Ebay just this year. Just had to see what all the rage was about. I could not believe the difference!! :o And with that 10 you will be ready for anything! Yes, the shipping is killin' us all :'( WELCOME, you're hooked [smiley=yes.gif]
« Last Edit: November 19, 2004, 08:44:30 AM by DG_TX »
Nowhere But TEXAS!

Offline Greg Stahl

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Re: Thanks to ebay - I GOT A GRISWOLD
« Reply #8 on: November 19, 2004, 10:19:06 AM »
I believe the ole cast iron BUG has take a big ole BITE out of DUKE and JOHN!  Welcome to the ADDICTION!
"NO MORE MISTER NICE GUY!!" Alice Cooper.