Lid compatibility question

[Stephen Ozcomert]

I am a newbie (first post) and have been buying some vintage cast iron.  For some reason I am drawn toward some of the older and lighter pans.  Tried to buy some Griswold ERIE pans on the Bay but found the prices higher than I was willing to spend.  Recently, I bought a couple of #12 pans--one "Sidney" and one arc logo "Wagner".  I am guessing they will be similar to each other and to a "Wagner" #10 that I like.  My wife just asked me about a lid to use with the large #12 pans. We don't care particularly if the lid matches.  The seller of the Sidney says he has a #12 Griswold lid he will part with for $80.  He says it is slightly smaller than the Sidney but hypothesized it might fit the Wagner.  So, my questions:

First, does anyone know if the later Griswold #12 lid will fit an early Wagner 12?

Second, is there a chart somewhere that gives sizes/compatibility for lids and pans of different series/manufacturers?

Third, is thee a recommended solution for buying inexpensive lids to use on pans in general?  For smaller sizes, it is less of an issue as we have kids that we can use in a pinch to cover the pan and reduce splatter and such, but I don't have any large enough for a #12.

Thx much and hope this is not too basic a question with which  to trouble folks here.  I have learned a lot lurking here and am grateful (tho my wallet is less so and my wife tired of hearing about cast iron pans!).

[Russell Ware]

If I need a lid for a skillet, I just take it with me to local thrift shops, flea markets, etc. That way I know it'll fit.
I have seen quite a few Lodge lids on Wagner pans on ebay. You have a Lodge factory store near you in Commerce, GA. Take your pans there. They have both iron lids and glass lids. They have always told me to bring pans in and see what fits. They're nice people.

[Mark R. Smith]

The other option is if you have a restaurant supply store near you take the cast iron with you and match it to the lid you like.

I did that on my #8 BS&R skillets. I have cast iron lid for them and the DO, but it get to be a pain lifting that lid frequently depending on what I'm cooking. So I found two different size commercial lids in lightweight aluminum that will fit a variety of my skillets both BS&R and Wagner.

[Stephen Ozcomert]

Wow, great ideas!  Thanks to you both!  I really like the restaurant supply store option as there is one quite nearby and makes sense for what we are trying to accomplish.  I have bought a small (#8) Dutch oven that I can use for slow cooking and such, but if I am cooking burgers, say, and want to retain heat and cut down on splatter, an aluminum lid might well be just the ticket. 

[C. Perry Rapier]

Hello Stephen. Welcome to WAGS. Your question is a very good one. And to be honest with you, thats a tough question. In fact thats a whole other field of 'What Lid Fits What'? The easiest ones to match up are Griswold. They made skillets in 1880 and they were still making lids that fit those skillets right up till they closed down. For Wagner, thats a whole different story. People that REALLY know what Wagner lid fits what Wagner skillet, after the first ninety seconds of explanation you want to scream because depending on what it is depends upon what it will fit. And no a Wagner number twelve skillet cover wont' fit a Griswold number twelve skillet. None of them do as far as I know. And they made them that way too. If you wanted a lid for a Wagner skillet you had to buy it from Wagner, same for Griswold. And as far as a chart goes of what will fit what, thats a marvelous idea. I'd buy a chart like that.  :)