Author Topic: question about pitting  (Read 3201 times)

Offline Andrew Goss

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question about pitting
« on: November 01, 2013, 04:01:21 PM »
I've been seeing a lot of pieces that have pitting and being a novice I had a few questions; i've read there is no hope for getting it off (aside from taking it to an iron expert) is this true and if so how does the pitting change the way the piece cooks - I've been looking for a Erie #10 but the majority of what I am finding is all pitted - thanks for the help from a newbie

Offline Claudia Killebrew

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Re: question about pitting
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2013, 04:42:15 PM »
Once it's pitted, it's pitted. Now, for collector value, the price goes way down. For users, it depends on how badly the piece is pitted. Some mild pitting will not affect how the piece cooks. If mild enough, enough seasoning may even even it out. However, if the thing looks like the surface of the moon with big gaping craters, no amount of seasoning will help and food will get stuck in it.

If it's on the outside bottom, like sometimes happened with old gas stoves, that has no effect on how good it cooks. Has almost no value, but it still cooks well. 

Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: question about pitting
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2013, 04:51:53 PM »
Claudia is correct.
Rust pitting is from corrosion that has literally consumed and converted the iron to rust... the CI is gone forever, and cannot be replaced.
Gas/Sulpher pitting has also altered the composition of the iron (usually on the exterior surface.)
I have a beautiful ERIE 7 user, inside smooth as glass, cooks BEAUTIFULLY, inspite of the shallow sulpur pitting craters on the bottom....
« Last Edit: November 01, 2013, 06:45:53 PM by lillyc »

Offline Andrew Goss

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Re: question about pitting
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2013, 04:57:20 PM »
again sorry for a stupid question if the pitting is just on the outside it just lowers the value for a collector? So to understand correctly if the inside is good then go for it? I know this isn't the section for ebay stuff but this was an example that I saw and keep seeing over and over again that got me thinking about it
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ERIE-Skillet-10-1880-1905-pre-Griswold-/261316552442?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd7ae26fa

thanks for the help and information because I'm just starting out

Offline Claudia Killebrew

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Re: question about pitting
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2013, 05:06:31 PM »
That's a buyer, if you just want to use it, not collect it.

Offline Andrew Goss

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Re: question about pitting
« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2013, 05:09:52 PM »
That answered my question perfectly!!! Thanks Claudia!!! Right now I'm more in the buy and use market my wife would string me up if I started accumulating right now - I fell in love with cast iron 2 years ago and growing up less than 20 miles from where this was forged makes me want to have the older Griswold stuff to use and pass on some day

Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: question about pitting
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2013, 06:44:34 PM »
AH! You must be from PA!  :) (Originally  ;))
Several of my users have outside pitting, and some have very light pitting on the inside.  Most times light pitting on the cook surface will fill in nicely as the seasoning builds, as Claudia said... just make sure the condition is as the seller stated if you win it!! (No Cracks, No Wobble), as both of those issues may affect using/cooking with it! (Wobble drives me loco...)
Oh, and Andrew, my family has finally given up trying to "string me up" for 'accumulating'! :D

Offline Jim Glatthaar

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Re: question about pitting
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2013, 12:43:25 AM »
Andrew, I have an Erie #12 with pitting on both cooking surface and bottom, but I use it all the time, it cooks like a dream and have no problem with food sticking.  I really appreciate cooking with a pan which was made before my grandparents were born.

IMO, buy it and use it.