Do you still buy slightly warped pans? When to say

[Shane Lewis]

I'm pretty new to cast iron, and have noticed that it is near impossible to find vintage cast iron pans that are not warped in some way.
I have found a Wagner Sidney 12" that is a slight spinner for $12 or $15.
Also several other pans that have a nice, smooth cooking surface, but a slight warp.
This seems to be the norm.
So, when do you just say no?
How much warp is too much?

[Ken Davis]

As for saying "no", it depends on the item and how badly I want it.

As for how much is too much, if I plan to use it, it's too much when it won't sit still on the stove or the liquid puddles up in the center so badly that things cook poorly.

Other than that, perfection is something to be sought but don't expect to find it in everything.   ;)

[Cheryl Watson]

I have arrived at the conclusion, that ANY warp is too much.  (there may be an occasional exception, but few and far between).

I prefer not to spend the $$, and will wait for a flat one. I will spend money on a lightly pitted piece AS A USER ONLY, before a piece with warp.

-User: drives me batty when oils pool and do not distribute evenly across a skillet. I'm with Ken on this one!

- Collector Quality: Warp kills the value.

- Display Piece/placeholder: ONLY if it a truly RARE piece.

[Jim Glatthaar]

I agree also.  I learned that if the pan has a warp or wobble or spins when lightly touched, I don't buy it.  I have cooked with pans which wobble and I unfortunately have one, and it is manageable.  But I have so many non-warped cast iron pans 8-), why bother to cook with the warped one? :-?

[Larry Pesek]

I have a #5 inside the diamond pan (CHF?) that has a slight dip in the center that holds a pat of butter and is absolutely awesome for grilling sandwiches!

I often wonder if it's warped or if the polishing stone was a little aggressive at the center as the bottom seems more flat than the cooking surface...

~Larry~

[C. B. Williams]

New collectors are usually the type to buy damaged goods. They usually regret it later.

[Duke Gilleland]

Got to be at give away prices. I would nearly take a crack over a spinner. Then it would usually just be to have an example of the "unique" iron. Case by case situaltion :-/

[Russ Byer]

I am actually looking for a warped  #3 (or #2) Griswold (Block EPU, or other) to use canoe camping on the fire. It will get abused hence a warped one for cheap. I have a nice #3 but I don't want to abuse it. I have a wagner but it is 25% heavier. I'd like a thinner cast to save a bit of weight.

[Nick Niacaris]

I think there is an exception to the above when it comes to a slight wobble and that being a dutch oven. I have 2 DO's that I cook with often that have a slight wobble and they make great stews, jambalaya, breads in the oven and other various types of meals.

I'm in agreement regarding skillets and not wanting one with a wobble. Skillets are used differently than DO's.