I've got a Griswold "chicken fryer" - can't remember the number on it, it's basically a deep #10. I bought it a couple of years ago, I got it on eBay and it was pretty nasty, so I took someone else's advice and tossed it in my outdoor wood boiler overnight. Big mistake, it turns out. I fished it out the next day and it looked great, so I cleaned it off, but then got sidetracked and it's been hangin in my shop since then. Recently I got it out as I was going to season it and start using it, and I found that it has a large crack extending from the rim, completely down one side to the bottom. I was pretty bummed as it is otherwise a nice pan. So my question is - do I use it as a "wall-hanger" and know that it will always be a low-value decoration, or see if I can find a master at brazing cast iron so that I can use the pan (even though it will then be more-or-less worthless and it will show a repaired crack)? The pan is not critical to my cookware inventory, otherwise it wouldn't have been sitting in the shop for years. EDIT: I researched repair of cast iron and determined that this may be a "heat crack" and not even caused by the toss into the woodstove - it may have been there all along and been well hidden by the crud and old seasoning on the pan.
Man thats sad! Sorry to here that Jon... I've tried to repair some things and have been brazing and welding for over 35 years, sometimes it's best to not even try. Also if it's repaired, it holds no value. Best to paint it and put it up on the wall. I personally know a man that has cracked a couple and I've warned him about that process. He broke a #14 Grizwold skillet, I dam near cried!
I don't think I'd know how to act either, if I found a #14 Gris, but I don't think I would destroy it. Sad story. A lye bath is still the easiest way I've found to clean off crud.
That's the way I do it also, If it's light crud I use oven cleaner and put it in a bid rubber maid tub. I'm thinking of making a dip tank but I got to research more on the electrolosis on the cast. It "souldn't have any effect and it's been used for many years, I'm stiil a bit leary of it. I have a #14 Gris with a crack right down the front, looked like it was dropped and hit right on the edge. I bead blasted it and painted enamel black, it hangs out in my BBQ shack, Nice decoration.
Agree with Jeff! They are unmarked Wagners. Many of them were sold in places like Sears, Grants, various hardware stores, Woolworths, and even grocery stores sold them. If you go back in time and remember "S&H" green stamps, Many were sold in those stores
A pound of Rooto and five gallons of water works wonders. I've had some that a wire wheel on an angle grinder wouldn't touch. After soaking for a week or two, it wipes right off. With good gloves on, of course. That solution is strong enough to burn. I've had pans in for over a month with no ill effects. Deep rust requires other measures. I always pass on those, but I am interested in electrolysis.
As am I, It's an easy thing to make, and I may make one and do a trial pan. I'd like to send the pan out after and get a analysis of the metal to see the if there is any change in properties. I've been around metal all my life and I don't seem to think so "but".... Then again, I'm not in a hurry and may just stick with lye.
I am liking it already. It makes great pancakes as I found out this weekend. I don't know if it was already mentioned in this thread but the number on pans was to correspond to the size of the cook plate on wood and coal stoves. If you wanted high heat, remove plate with lifter and put pan or skillet over the hole. Also, coal would pit the bottoms of pans if they were used in the hole. There is a lot of good info out there. I am also on the hunt now for more.
I posted it once before but go to; castironcollector.com "lot's" great stuff there! I have a couple good books also, the Griswold and wagner cast iron collectors book. Amazon has it among others, great reading.
I knew about the sizing thing. I always assumed the pitting was erosion from so much time over an open flame. These are my only two like that, but they are the best cookers I have. The insides are perfect.
I have a Piqua # 8 like yours Jeff, yea, coal is corrosive while burning. Thats why a lot of the old cast stoves bottoms would fall out! When they lined them with brick, they would last longer but then had to put a coal grate in or the bricks would break apart. Those pans have lots of life yet!
Cast iron Steak griddle. They came out of stores like; Bed bath and beyond, some Target stores, kohl's, mostly big box stores. Good for a camp fire or outdoor cooking, non-collectible pan… Sorry. But it's a good beater pan!!! Use it, why not!
I have had a 8" lodge pan that never has been right...sticks like crazy. I've stripped and seasoned it at least 4 times and it never got to to my liking. I finally had enough and took my 5" orbital sander with 80 grit and 220 grit and sanded the crap out of it....greased it up good and threw it in the oven. Works GREAT now. Sometimes you just have to be mean to them.
If you are looking for new stock. Kroger near me has 25% off on all open stock cookware which includes Lodge pans and griddles. Sale goes through 2/2/2016.
