Identifying Old Cast Iron Pans: Part 1

Over the past two to three hundred years, an enormous number of cast iron pots and pans were made here in the United States. There's a good chance you have an old frying pan in your kitchen right now that dates to the early 20th century, or even earlier. Of course, antique vendors go out of their way to try to sell valuable pieces that are easily recognized, especially vintage cast iron pans made by Griswold and Wagner. But if you go looking for old cast iron pans at flea markets, garage sales, and thridft stores, you're much more likely to come across "unmarked" cast iron pans that aren't easily identified, and which are often discarded or even thrown out. But these "unmarked" cast iron pans are some of the hidden treasures of American cooking, and they're excellent kitchen users with a long and interesting history. So, if you have a pan like this in your kitchen, be sure to use it with pride.

[rstumbaugh]

There’s nothing quite like, old iron….LOVE IT!!

[joselatios]

For sure. I’m always on the lookout for the old stuff. Hopefully I have better luck when I move to Texas in a few months.

[eddielittleii]

YUP. your videos have been helpful with identifying my finds. thanks.

[williampalchak]

I've got an excellent smooth surface 10 inch cast iron pan that is marked "10 1/2 MADE IN TAIWAN" on the underside. It weighs a ton and it's at least 55 years old.