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Welcome to the blog, where we celebrate our shared love for vintage and antique cast iron cookware. We’re happy you are here, and hope our posts will educate and entertain you. Whether you’re a die-hard Griswold cookware fan or just starting to explore other makers of old cast iron cookware like Wagner or Lodge, we’ve got something that will spark your curiosity. Our mission is to make the world of old cast iron cookware accessible and enjoyable for everyone, and we’re always glad to connect with other collectors and enthusiasts.

Remember to explore our ‘Learn About Your Iron‘ page, a treasure trove of information about your cast iron collection. For even more content and updates, be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Baked Brie with Jalapeno Jelly made in a Cast Iron Skillet

Here’s an easy appetizer for your next camping adventure – baked brie with jalapeno jelly. Bring along a number 5 or 6 vintage cast iron skillet, a smaller round of brie and a small jar of jalapeno jelly and crackers or a baguette and you’ve got everything you need! When I go camping with my…

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The Vintage Cast Iron Cookware Auction part II: Tips and Considerations

Now that you have read about some of my learning experiences at vintage cast iron cookware auctions in part I of my blog series on auctions, you can venture forth with knowledge to help you avoid the same mistakes I made. Here are more tips and considerations to help you be a savvy bidder and…

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The Vintage Cast Iron Cookware Auction, part I: Learn from My Mistakes!

Tips to help you when bidding at a large cast iron collector’s auction.

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Griswold Cast Iron Collector Dave Lange

Written by Mary, as told by Dave and Nancy Lange. Note: I am grateful that I had the chance to visit with Dave and Nancy for this story at the March 2024 Griswold & Cast Iron Cookware Association’s annual convention in Erie, Pennsylvania. Dave passed away on June 28, 2024. Our hearts and prayers are…

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Linda’s Cast Iron Skillet Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake

For her sister’s recent birthday celebration, Linda baked a delicious rhubarb upside-down cake in her vintage Griswold small logo grooved handle number 7 cast iron skillet. It was a big hit! The number 7 skillet worked well because of its size – the vintage Griswold number 7 cast iron skillet is about 10″ in diameter…

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Larry and Marg O’Neil and their Magnificent Cast Iron Collection

Larry and Marg O’Neil have what some believe to be the largest collection of vintage and antique cast iron cookware in the United States.

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Cast Iron Skillet Strawberry – Rhubarb Crumble

I was invited to a pre-Memorial Day shindig at Jerry and Debra’s home, where we were to practice making pizzas in their new outdoor pizza oven. Being the good guest that I am, I asked what I could bring. I don’t want to bring dessert! I was told to bring the fixings to make a…

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2024 Griswold & Cast Iron Cookware Association Convention in Erie, Pennsylvania

The Griswold & Cast Iron Cookware Association The Griswold & Cast Iron Cookware Association (GCICA) is a vibrant community of vintage cast iron collectors and enthusiasts united by a shared passion for collectible cast iron cookware. Its membership includes those just starting their journey and seasoned collectors with huge collections. The members love vintage cast…

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I've written a few posts recently about vintage cast iron auctions, and given some examples, tips, and considerations based on my experience.

Here is an online-only auction out of Frewsburg, New York with a number of cast iron pieces that closes tonight - July 24, 2024. petersonauction.hibid.com/catalog/552717/griswold--toys-and-lunchboxes-online-auction

If you don't have experience with cast iron auctions, read my posts before you bid! griswoldcookware.com/the-vintage-cast-iron-collectors-auction-part-ii-tips-and-considerations

With this particular auction and lot, notice:

- There is no information about the condition of the pans in the catalog. A bidder must rely on the photos alone unless they were able to personally attend the two-hour preview held from 4-6 pm last night in New York. Remember - all items are sold "as-is, where-is." If there is a hidden crack or warpage, you won't know until you receive the pan.

Look carefully at the surfaces of the skillets in the last photo of the listing. Is that fire damage or rust that you see on the inside of the top left pan? With the lower right skillet, what is on the surface of the pan? Is it damage or is it just a pan that needs better cleaning? I see an indentation on the rim left of the handle - is that showing a hairline crack (when there is a hairline crack, it is often found just to the side of the handle) or is it the casting of the pan? Is there pitting on any of the pans? Before I spent hundreds of dollars on this lot, I'd call and ask these questions. I'd also ask about warpage.

- About 9 hours remain until the auction begins to end, but there are already 13 bids. Why are these bidders already bidding and driving up the price?? These bidders will not win this lot at the price currently shown.

- This auction has a “soft close,” meaning that once the auction begins to end/close, bids continue until the high bid finally ends. As a buyer, I don’t love soft-close auctions.

- Shipping and handling charges are not specified and quotes are not specifically offered. The terms and conditions state that "Purchaser is responsible for all shipping cost[s] and the cost of the materials used to package the items." I'd call the auction house and inquire about this before I bid to try to determine what the shipping price would be, if I was interested in bidding.

- There is a low (10%) buyer's premium. 3.5% is added to this if a credit or debit card is used for purchase. Checks are only accepted if the buyer has a previously-established relationship with the auction house.

- It appears that sales tax is only imposed in certain instances - read the terms and conditions.

If I was interested in this lot after reading all of the terms and conditions and factoring in all of the above, I would wait to bid until the auction began to close and then bid only if I was satisfied with the price and the auction’s terms and conditions.

It will be interesting to see what this lot brings, given its current price with 9 hours left. ... See MoreSee Less

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The lot sold for a high bid of $270. That price does not include buyer's premium (10% - lower than you typically see), shipping/handling, tax if applicable, and credit/debit card premium of 3.5% if applicable.

The large vintage cast iron cookware auction is a sight to behold. I've been to many over the years. It can be pretty intimidating at first; all of that iron with all of those people just as determined as you are to snag a good piece at a great price.

I learned a few things along the way that might help you as you navigate the auction scene.

griswoldcookware.com/vintage-cast-iron-collectors-auction/ ... See MoreSee Less

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A 3 in 1 (aka "all in one") Griswold cast iron skillet with lid for $1? Yes, please. In great condition, these sell for the mid to high hundreds.

A Griswold loaf pan with cover for $1.59? I'll take a hundred, please. This set, in great condition, easily brings over $1,000. ... See MoreSee Less

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In regards to cooking 3 foods at one time: you can tell ChatGPT that you want recipes for meat, carb, and vegetable that will all be cooked at the same time using the same temperature. If you don't like the menu it spits out, then tell it to give you more recipes.

I'll have a loaf pan and the lid in our August auction at Dinkys, I was at an auction in Punxsutawney, Pa right after the convention and a loaf pan with the lid sold for $2900 gavel price + 6% tax and 10% buyers premium. Crazy $$, at $1.59 I would have bought 500 of them..

"Check and Double Check," a vintage ornamental cast iron dog door stop made by Lodge Cast Iron in the 1930s. From the collection of Carolyn Millhiser - Joseph Lodge's great-granddaughter. The piece pictured is used as a doorstop in the parlor of the house built by Joseph Lodge in S. Pittsburg Tennessee in 1887.

Wouldn't it be fun to find one of these on your next cast iron hunt?

@lodgecastiron ... See MoreSee Less

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there was also a lamp... did lodge make all of these?... some of them have markings on the back. imgur.com/gallery/texaco-listen-scottie-lamp-door-stop-jKJVZoQ these were based on a print by Morgan Dennis from the mid 1920s and used in an advertising run for Texaco starting around 1932.

I wish Lodge would re-make something like this or the other animal themed cast iron items from their past instead of yet another advertising skillet for TV program based series of items (sorry Dolly). I think that would have broader appeal and longer interest with the public.

Antique cast iron bundt cake pan marked "CAHILL" with the pattern number 455. From the collection of John Clough. ... See MoreSee Less

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Eric Shankles

Three vintage unmarked Lodge cast iron oval roasters, with lids, in sizes 4, 7, and 9. From the collection of John Clough. ... See MoreSee Less

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Have never seen another of this one. Vintage chromed cast iron Griswold oval fish skillet no. 13-1/2, P/N 1012. From the collection of Larry and Marg O'Neil of Tacoma, Washington, natch. ... See MoreSee Less

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Delighted to see the mention, Southern Cast Iron! Sharing the love for vintage cast iron cookware with fellow enthusiasts is always a blast!
Southern Cast Iron

Delighted to see the mention, Southern Cast Iron! Sharing the love for vintage cast iron cookware with fellow enthusiasts is always a blast!
Southern Cast Iron ... See MoreSee Less

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Y'all join our newly created group, the group is all about Cast iron and Cast iron related items if interested kindly click the link below 👇 join invite and share Thanks facebook.com/groups/7381521251935589/

Another one you don't run across every day, from the collection of Larry and Marg O'Neil of Tacoma Washington. Favorite Bac-n-Egg pan, with porcelain enamel base. ... See MoreSee Less

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