What is meant by "pits"

[Steve_Stephens]

I've settled on the Slant Erie's to fill that bill. They were made up until 1909.

TC,
I'm pretty sure slant/E pans FIRST appeared in 1909 or 10 from what I have read from the US Trademark site.  And the block TM first came out in 1924.   I have seen some information that may(?) contridict these dates so I am still not completely sure.  Anyway, I put slant/E c.1909-c.1916 with ERIE markings being used up to 1909 except for the GRISWOLD'S ERIE's which would have to be before c.1909 and, probably, somewhere after 1905-08.  I often wonder if we will ever be able to pin down the dates closely.  Dates given in the books seem to be off quite a bit with little though on making them as accurate as possible and with a lot of dates just not making sense and, seemingly, having no data or reasoning to back them up.

Steve
Steve

[Steve_Stephens]

Lodge -- the casting is very rough.  ...they have added an "assist handle" to their skillets opposite the main handle -- I find this immensely helpful in controlling this heavy piece of metal (the 12-incher), especially when it's full of food.

...the Wagner-Griswold Dutch Oven... this DO was cast by Wagner using the molds they took over from Griswold, and I would guess that it dates from the 1960's -- i.e., that period during which many say the quality of the cookware being produced was in decline.

Kevin,
Start buying swag lamp chain and lots of hooks.  A small apartment can be tastefully decorated and draped with TONS of iron by using the chain and hooks to support and hang iron from walls and ceilings.  Maybe you will get an invite from Joel Schiff to come see how he has done it.  Absolutely amazing.

Most earlier Lodge (pre-1940 or 50?) was very smooth and nicely cast if a bit on the heavy side.  Todays automatic molding machinery doesn't seem to lend itself to making the same quality as yesteryear when molds were made by hand packing sand.

Yes, Lodge NEEDED the opposite side assist handle for their HEAVTY pans.  But many-well, some- skillets from the 19th century are so light you'd swear they were stamped steel and not cast iron.  Most of the 20th century makers hit a nice balance between lightness and durability in their iron and they are just about right in weight.  Yes, it was c.1960's when the quality started to go down and the use of automatic molding machings probably started, if not earlier.  

The double logo Griswold/Wagner pieces are a product of General Housewares, owner of Griswold and Wagner from 1969 to c.1997.  Those double marked pieces I think were made in the later 1970s' and were still being sold in the early 1980's.  Not very good stuff and not very collectible.

Go at your collecting slow and steady and you will end up with a nice collection.  I only started out to get a matching set of skillets, a dutch oven, and a few other pieces to cook with.  Ended up going through many thousands of pieces with my collection at one time numbering around 700 which is not all that large by other collectors' standards.  Think of all the fun of learning you still have ahead of you.

Steve

[Thomas_Callaway]

Steve, you made me look!

Blue Book says 1900 - 1909. Red Book says 1907 -  1912.

I agree that it's hard to determine the actual dates, some lines overlap widely as well. I defer to your expertise on the dates however. I just know them Slant Erie's cook good!

Either way Kevin is hooked and he, like I did, will find the niche he's most interested in. I agree with him on how cool it is to cook with this old iron. Makes me wonder about the families and meals that were made in them every time I put the flame under one.

TC

[Greg Stahl]

every time I put the flame under one.

boy I'm envious on that statement, as I would love to put a flame under mine, other than these heat coils.  Soon, soon I'll have the kitchen of my dreams.  Dream could be coming sooner based on news this week!!

[castironkevin]

Dear Steve and Greg and CB and TC and Marty and Roger and Duke,

I just wanted to thank you guys for the advice and the messages of welcome. I've already started imagining what my apartment might look like draped in cast iron (though I haven't mentioned that to my significant other yet  :o). But I really have appreciated the information, tips, encouragement and good will that you've shared with me. Using some ebay tips from Steve (and others that I found elsewhere in this forum), I have acquired my first genuine piece of Griswold -- a block TM, smooth bottom No. 8 skillet (c. 1930's, I believe)... the kind that CB suggested would be a good pan for cooking. I should say, rather, that I've purchased a piece of Griswold -- it has not yet arrived in the mail, but it should come some time this week (I'm new to ebay too, so I'm a little nervous about the whole business 'cause I know it's possible to get burned in a number of different ways).

It seems an ominous sign to me, however, that with the pan I've purchased not yet even in my hand, I'm already thinking about what I might look for next (for example, those slant/E pans that TC likes and which I think look pretty nice too) and how I might justify the purchase...

Again, many thanks gentlemen!

Kevin

[moosejaw]

And ladies  ;)

[Steve_Stephens]

I know it's possible to get burned in a number of different ways.

It seems an ominous sign to me, however, that with the pan I've purchased not yet even in my hand, I'm already thinking about what I might look for next (for example, those slant/E pans that TC likes and which I think look pretty nice too) and how I might justify the purchase...

Aw, you're already having too much fun.  NEXT thing to look at really SHOULD be the blue book followed by the red book.  As for getting burned on ebay, it really isn't too much of a problem if you ask all the proper questions before bidding and snipe bid (usually is better to do that).  But do remember shipping...oh, that dreaded shipping that can make a seemingly cheap piece cost a LOT.  My most recent piece is a $9.99 skillet but the postage is $15.75.  My most recent $58. electric fan had $54. tacked onto it for shipping.  Ebay is a great place to buy but not for everything.  Conventions can be an excellent place where you can punch the seller in the toe if he tries to burn you.  And NO shipping; you can smell the pan and run your greasy fingers over the pitting and sharp gate mark before taking it home.  Have a Happy New Year and, most importantly, get your sig. other involved in this hobby if at all possible.  The more allies you have the better.

Steve

[castironkevin]

Oooops! Sorry Marty!  :-[

-K

[moosejaw]

That's okay Kevin, I know it is hard to tell from my picture.   [smiley=happy1.gif]

[C. B. Williams]

It's hard to tell a lot of things by that picture.