Old Cast Iron

[julweidn]

Someone is selling the items in the picture below for $75 and the cast iron appears to be old (at least the one lid that you can see is Wagner)

I have heard old cast iron cooks very well. I already have two skillets, but dont have a dutch oven or larger pot. Should I pull the trigger or do you think this is a waste of money?




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[randy]

If it's old Wagner Ware, worth every penny. Wagner Ware was made in my hometown. Old Grizwald is some good stuff too.


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[JEBIV]

For sure worth the asking price, the old Wagner Ware is good stuff

[lksdrinker]

older wagner ware and griswold is usually worth grabbing....some can be quite collectible while others can just be great to cook on.  That is presuming they werent beat up too badly through the years.  I'd take a real good look at everything before paying much.  The bottom of that upside down pan in the photo above has what looks like some pretty serious pitting.

What tends to be nice about the old cast iron, from a cooking standpoint, is just how smooth the cooking surfaces are.  Part of this is being seasoned well and used through the years.  Part of it is also the sand used way back when in the casting is for some reason a bit different than whats used today.  Smaller particles of sand lead to almost mirror smooth surfaces.  Really noticeable if you have brand new (well somewhat recent anyway) cast iron right next to the old stuff.  If I use a paper towel on the new stuff it pulls and leaves pieces behind on the surface.  The old stuff is like a finely waxed car!

[firedude5015]

I'd grab it for sure...i collect and use cast iron...like some have said, older is better...

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[stubblebum]

It is amazing how bad it can look and be restored, but I agree with lksdrinker, the upside down pan looks like it is pitted.

[bluewhisper]

I love old cast iron and I use several pieces of it. Once in a while I check out the new cheap stuff, and yes, the texture is so rough you can file your fingernails on it.

Ironware and fire go together beautifully but I have learned that if you use a piece in the smoker, you can wash it but the next time you heat it in the oven it will bloom smoke aroma exactly as if you had a campfire going in the kitchen.

[HoosierKettle]

I wouldn't mind finding old if it was not out of the way and inexpensive. I like my modern lodge cast iron. Works fantastic and is very non stick despite the roughness.


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[SMOKE FREAK]

Some folks collect old CI pans like others collect old kettles...
I  would jump on that without hesitation...

[Joshua_423]

My new Lodge stuff cooks great as well and isn't overly priced on most items! They charge a lot more for the old stuff down here in GA.

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[HoosierKettle]

My new Lodge stuff cooks great as well and isn't overly priced on most items! They charge a lot more for the old stuff down here in GA.

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Yep. My lodge skillet is only 6 months old and I use it everyday. I promise it's so slick you have to chase your egg around the skillet with a spatula trying to flip it.

I was looking for old cast iron for awhile but something about used cast iron scares me a little. I know they can be cleaned but their pourus nature makes me nervous.




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[Easy]

If you do not need the GAW and it is in good condition you could sell that to me.

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[bluewhisper]

After I moved out of my parents' house, Dad decided he liked non-stick so they threw away all of the old cast iron I grew up with, without TELLING ME FIRST so I've had to rebuild my collection since ~1996. 

Oh well, so now I have some pieces I never had when growing up, like the "combi" dutch oven and the oval casserole which I call the Lifeboat. The square Lodge skillet rides perfectly on the Sportsman grill. I also have some odd old pieces from a friend's mom, maybe her mom, a flat round griddle like for pancakes and a big skillet, both of them with nice smooth surfaces. They need some reconditioning love but they're otherwise ready.