How to Collect Cast Iron Skillets
Cast iron skillets and pans are among the most popular collectibles on the market. Visit any flea market or swap meet and you'll likely find dozens of sellers offering antique cast iron pans. Griswold is one of the more popular brand names, but there were hundreds of different companies making these pans. Deciding what type you want to collect is one thing to consider before you collect cast iron skillets.
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Instructions
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Decide on a manufacturer that you'd like to focus your collection on. Griswold and Wagner are the two most popular brands, but these are also more expensive and more commonly reproduced. Other brands include Ace, Rock Island Stove Company and Sidney Hollowware.
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Look at the bottom of each piece before you buy and check for an identifying mark. Wagner used the company name in a script style on the bottom of each piece, while Griswold used the company name on top of a cross. These logos were always on the bottom of the piece and never inside.
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Check the condition of the piece and only buy the best quality cast iron skillets that you can afford. Cast iron can become chipped, damaged or broken, especially the older antiques. However you shouldn't buy those pieces unless they are extremely rare.
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Learn the difference between a reproduction or counterfeit piece and an authentic piece. Items with a high amount of rust are likely reproductions, made to look old by leaving the pieces sitting outside in the rain. You can also identify reproductions and counterfeit items by looking at the size of the piece, as reproductions are often smaller.
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Decide on the finish and color of the pieces that you want to add to your collection. Black cast iron is the most popular, but far from the only option. Companies also made cast iron skillets with a hammered finish, an unpolished finish, a polished finish and even enamel coverings on top of the cast iron.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider joining a collector's group such as the Griswold & Cast Iron Cookware Association. These groups hold different meetings and events throughout the year that are only open to group members. You also have access to auctions and sales featuring the best examples of cast iron cookware.
Don't buy a piece just because you see the name of a company or manufacturer on the bottom, but always do your research first. There are some pieces labeled with one company name, when that company never made the piece.
