The Wagner Manufacturing Company was a family-owned manufacturer of cast iron and aluminum products based in Sidney, Ohio, US. … The purchasers of the company in 1952 continued the brand, and Wagner products are still manufactured today.

Is Wagner ware worth anything?

The value of antique cast iron skillets can start at similar to new prices, but a super rare Wagner or Griswold can fetch up to $1,500 apiece. A mint condition, super rare “spider skillet” made in the 1890s by Griswold is worth up to $8,000. … If your pan was made before 1957, it’s considered vintage cast iron.

How old is my Wagner Ware?

1. Turn over your cookware so the bottom is facing up. Make note of all markings on the bottom of the pan and their location. …
2. Examine the construction of the pan. …
3. Consult a reputable guidebook. …
4. Post pictures of your skillet on the forum for Wagner and Griswold collectors.

Is Wagner Ware collectible?

Wagner cast iron is highly collectible. Like most antique cast iron, Wagner manufactured high-quality cookware for their entire range of cast iron products. Unlike, Wapak cast iron ironware that often has characteristic casting flaws.

Is Wagner Ware cast iron good?

Wagner cast iron is antique cookware that is regarded as one of the best in the market. Despite its age, it still works fine. It is bought by people who prefer vintage cast iron cookware or collectible enthusiasts.

Do they still make magnalite pots?

Magnalite was a line of cast-aluminum roasters introduced by the Wagner Manufacturing Company in 1934. Its production was halted in 1996 and, today, new Magnalite cooking vessels are no longer being made.

How do I clean my Wagner Ware magnalite?

Preventative Care for Magnalite Cookware Do not let your Magnalite pots and pans soak in water or put them in the dishwasher. To properly wash Magnalite cookware, scrape out large food remnants, rinse the pot with hot water, and hand-dry it with a towel.

What is the rarest Griswold skillet?

Cast Iron Guys One of the rarest of all Griswold skillets the Block EPU (BEPU) is the hardest among the 13s to find as so few were made (people tended to buy them less for the fear of unlucky 13). This one is a beauty with a heat ring, glassy cooking surface and nice mill marks.

How old is my magnalite cookware?

Magnalite cookware (cast aluminum cookware) has been around since 1934. Another name for the original design is WagnerWare. It is very durable and is made so from the casting process of magnesium/aluminum alloy. It has a bright, shiny appearance and conducts heat very well.

When did Wagner buy Griswold?

In March 1957, McGraw-Edison of Chicago, Illinois, acquired Griswold Manufacturing. Later that year the Griswold brand and housewares division were sold to the Wagner Manufacturing Company of Sidney, Ohio. The plant in Erie, Pennsylvania, was closed in December 1957. When the factory closed, sixty people were laid off.

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Is Griswold and Wagner the same company?

Wagner acquired Griswold Manufacturing Company when it was operating under the new management of the Randall Company in 1957. After this Textron, Inc. purchased the Randall Corporation in 1959, which included both the companies of Wagner and Griswold along with it.

Can you use butter on a cast iron skillet?

Yes, you can cook with butter in your cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. Keep in mind that butter burns at temperatures above 350°F (177°C), so you shouldn’t use high heat when you’re frying foods with it. Either turn down the heat or substitute it with an oil that has a higher smoke point.

What is the best oil for seasoning cast iron?

All cooking oils and fats can be used for seasoning cast iron, but based on availability, affordability, effectiveness, and having a high smoke point, Lodge recommends vegetable oil, melted shortening, or canola oil, like our Seasoning Spray.

How do you get stains out of magnalite pots?

Vinegar works for persistent stains. Simply add a few teaspoons of vinegar to the pot. Then, pour some warm water and bring the vinegar and water mixture to a boil. Once it boils, turn the stove off and let the cookware cool off. Vinegar lifts away stubborn discoloration as the water and pot cool off.

Are old pitted aluminum pots safe?

Aluminum’s soft and malleable properties make it hazardous to use at high temperatures, especially for older, worn pots. Empty aluminum pots heated at high temperatures for a long time can melt and become molten aluminum.

What is the new magnalite cookware made of?

Made of a unique, durable aluminum and magnesium alloy, these shiny silver kitchen tools have a denser base and thinner sides than most of their cookware counterparts, allowing the pots and pans to first heat more evenly, then distribute that heat faster during the cooking process.

What are magnalite pots called now?

McWare Cookware is Louisiana’s famous version of Magnalite cookware. McWare pots and pans are made of thick aluminum. McWare pots and pans collection includes their well know oval roasting pots just like granny used in the oven! McWare aluminum pots are made to last and may be passed down from generation to generation.

Who makes magnalite now?

Magnalite cookware is a type of aluminum cookware. It was created in 1919 by Alcoa and then sold to World Kitchen, Inc. for $230 million dollars in 2007.

What company bought magnalite?

Wagner salesman c. 1910Defunct1953FateAcquired by Randall CompanyHeadquartersSidney, Ohio , USBrandsMagnalite, Wagner Ware, National, Long Life, Wardway and Ward’s Cast Iron

Is olive oil good for seasoning cast iron?

Do not use olive oil or butter to season your cast-iron pan — they’re great to cook with, just not for initial seasoning. … Turn off the oven, leaving the pan in the oven to cool completely as the oven cools down.

Can I use coconut oil to season my cast iron pan?

You can also choose to try seasoning cast iron with coconut oil. If you use coconut oil you’ll want to go with refined coconut oil, which the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health notes has a smoke point of about 400 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (as opposed to unrefined coconut oil, which has a lower smoke point).

Why are magnalite pots so popular?

Magnalite is known for its cast aluminum material and commercial durability. Its extra thick base helps the pan to heat more evenly, and the sides of pot are thin so that heat distributes quickly.

Is it safe to cook with magnalite?

Before you go ahead with cooking in your Magnalite pot, you should ensure that it’s made up of anodized aluminum. … If your cookware set isn’t made of anodized aluminum, you run the risk of ingesting more aluminum. This means you’ll have to prepare foods that have lower acid levels like potatoes and quinoa in these.

Is magnalite cast aluminum?

Magnalite [cookware] is made from aluminum and a special magnesium alloy which is an excellent heat conductor and reacts well to change in temperature, it is “cast as thick as two silver dollars” and “cooks food from all sides-it’s like having an oven on top of your range (heat radiates from every part of Magnalite not …

What do the numbers mean on cast iron skillets?

Ever wonder what that number on the handle of your cast-iron skillet means? It’s not, as you might think, the size of the pan. The number actually refers to the diameter of the pan in inches across the bottom of the pan, not across its flared top, which is the industry standard way to measure skillet size.

How do you clean rusty cast iron pans?

1. Soak each piece of rusty cast iron in a solution of one part vinegar and one part water.
2. Using the brush, test each piece after 30 minutes to an hour to see if the rust is coming off. …
3. Once you have scrubbed the skillet clean of rust, rinse it thoroughly with water.
4. Dry skillet completely, and reseason.

What's the most expensive cast iron?

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron is some of the most expensive cookware in the world. What is this? The company is best known for its bright-colored Dutch ovens, but they offer saucepans, skillets, and many other items, too. You can check the prices of the whole enameled cast iron range on Amazon.

What is a spider skillet?

A “spider” is a long handled frying pan with 3 legs. It was used extensively around the fire to catch drippings from roasting meat and to saute vegetables. The long handle provided some space between the fire to cook.

Why are Griswold skillets so expensive?

Why are Griswold skillets so expensive? All the products offered by Griswold are known to offer great experience as they are made using high-quality materials and are highly durable. On top of that, the company’s reputation has increased significantly. All this contributes to the high price of the product.

What do the letters mean on a Griswold skillet?

The letters do not represent pattern design revisions, but only served to identify which individual pattern among several was used to make which pans. … Griswold pieces like skillets and dutch ovens are inscribed with their size number and a pattern number.

How do I find my Griswold?

1. You can identify your skillet by using logos and marking on your skillet. …
2. The Griswold slant logo block logo with a heat ring is more desired by collectors, And they also tend to be more expensive than skillets without a heat ring.