# 8 "ERIE" Skillet

[Charles_A._Burger]

So I'm at an antique mall today and found more CI than I'm use to seeing.  I believe one item is mispriced because they didn't take the time to stare at the bottom and see the Ghost form of "ERIE" in all the crud.  They are asking $20.  Seemed to be flat, no pits on the cooking service.  Is that a discounted price these days for that pan or about average?

Thanks

[Jeff Seago]

Is the skillet an ERIE then or does it just have an ERIE ghost??  If it is an ERIE and it sits flat with no noticeable defects (make sure to check for cracks near the handle!! as well as the entire top rim (sometimes they can hide very well)) then you better get back there and pick it up for $20.  I would try to talk them down to $10 by telling them that it is all covered in crud  :D

Make sure to give it a thorough once over before you buy it.  Don't want you getting hosed.

[Craig1952]

I've heard some great stories about things that have been found under the crud. If not broken, steal it for $20.  

[Mike Shonfield]

I agree with Jeff, watch for hairline crack by the handle...quite common and reduces value but not its use.

Often very hard to see, so check closely.

[Charles_A._Burger]

I agree with Jeff, watch for hairline crack by the handle...quite common and reduces value but not its use.

Often very hard to see, so check closely.

My guess is that it's due to the overall thinness of the pan coupled with the stress put on it.

[Mike Shonfield]

Yes at last years WAGS Convention there was a presentation on handles and how to tell the age of a pan by its handle and those handles were prone to cracks for the reason you mentioned.

[Ryan Ellington]

it did this at a flea market last fall.found a skillet covered in crud but could make out a letter e.bought it for $8.00 and put it in the lye tank and came back a week later to check on it.it was a no7 erie ci skliiet.

[C. Perry Rapier]

The BEST way to check a skillet for cracks is to look at in natural light. If your inside, take it to a window, if it is cracked, your chances of finding it are greatly increased.  ;) There's a hot tip for those of you who did not know that.

[Jeff Seago]

Perry another good way to check for cracked skillets is just to watch the what I buy on EBay!!  They come to me by the dozen!!

That is pretty sage advice from an old knowledgeable butcher  ;D ;D ;D

I also always carry a flashlight with me when I go junking.  That way if you don't have good light you can use the flashlight.  It also works to see under things as many of the shops that I have been to have junk everywhere.

[C. Perry Rapier]

Perry another good way to check for cracked skillets is just to watch the what I buy on EBay!!  They come to me by the dozen!!

That is pretty sage advice from an old knowledgeable butcher  ;D ;D ;D

I also always carry a flashlight with me when I go junking.

HEY YOUNG PUP ;D

Now what does carrying a flashlight got to do with what I said?  ;D

Also, now listen up here, since you got that College Degree you're supposed to be smarter.  ;)

Clark Rader has got the hot tip, he's got a flashlight, one of them slender ones, and its a regular flashlight, and a black light, and its got a magnet on it. The only other thing that I could think of, is if one had about an 8 inch straight edge, and if you wanted to go deluxe, throw in a good magnifying glass.

[Jeff Seago]

I just take my classes off and use them as a magnifying class when I want to check something out!!

Now the straight edge I have never thought of until you bring it up!!  I like that idea alot!

[Duke Gilleland]

My straightedge is 6" and if in doubt, I ask to carry outside and use the sky light to check ;) There's gold at times 'neath that carbon :o

[Tom Meinke]

Another great method to find cracks is to support the bottom of the pan with your fingertips and gently knock with your knuckles around the outside pan wall, a cracked pan has a flat sound, a good pan has a nice ring. Even a blind person can find a crack this way.

[Jesse and Kim Dunfee]

Thank You Tom for suggesting that. I have been told not to trust a ring.   Well I have never been let down by knocking on the bottom of a skillet and hearing a dull sound or a nice ring. Thanks Tom...... :)

[Judith Holiday]

I just take my classes off and use them as a magnifying class when I want to check something out!!

Now the straight edge I have never thought of until you bring it up!!  I like that idea a lot!

Jeff: I think you have a nice black straight edge to match your CI. You can use it as a tester and  study a bit of history at the same time.

[Jeff Seago]

Judith you are right I do have a new nice black straight edge!!  I will have to pack that in the cast iron hunting bag (don't ask cause I ain't gonna tell ya whats in the bag!!).  Hmm the bag says Holiday on it.  I wonder where I got it from??

[Charles_A._Burger]

Well I went back and check the pan over thoroughly.  Straight edge test failed.  Crack check around the handle was inconclusive, but I had suspicion of a crack so no deal.  Thank you WAGS.  

So with that money saved I should have went home up $20.  Well I also "should have" studied harder in school, but I went a looking around again and noticed a thick cast #14 Lodge for $24.50 minus 30%.  The Booth had a sale.  They also have a #9 Slant Griswold dutch oven for $50 minus 30%.  I may just feed the need a little more today.

[Jeff Seago]

Those are pretty darn good prices you got on those pieces Charles!!  What does the lid look like on the slant erie dutch oven??

[Ray Benash]

Well done Chris. Nice discounted price on the DO!

[Ed Allspaugh]

Thank You Tom for suggesting that. I have been told not to trust a ring.   Well I have never been let down by knocking on the bottom of a skillet and hearing a dull sound or a nice ring. Thanks Tom...... :)

  I don't trust the ring test. I have looked a few skillets over and found a crack in my iron adventures.  The seller will do the ole ring test and say no it's not. Thats when I point out one of them thar tight hairline cracks.
  Oh yes and throw a small tape measure and magnet in your iron survival pack.  :D