Author Topic: My first Griswolds  (Read 3510 times)

Offline Vidya Gopalakrishna

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My first Griswolds
« on: April 12, 2014, 12:43:24 PM »
Hi, I just bought a pair of Griswold pans on eBay yesterday (item # 281302908826) that the seller claims to have been from the 1940s. They have the small logo, and I've found that means they were made between 1935(?) and 1959, I think. I was wondering how the seller might have narrowed that down to a single decade, and if there was anything I could look for to narrow it down further. I've heard that the pre-WW2 cookware was nicer than the postwar, but it seems like these could fall right smack dab in the middle. Also, from what I've read (though I could be wrong) it sounds like the small logo Griswolds changed quality drastically over that period, so I'm curious about whether I have something from the earlier or later part.

I'm not interested in the collector value of these right now, since I'm just planning to use them, but more information and the history behind these pieces, just so I know what I'm getting.

Also, it looks like the seller did a couple of clean seasoning layers already. Should I be adding extra seasoning layers over that before using them, or can I pretty much start cooking right away?

Offline Russell Ware

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Re: My first Griswolds
« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2014, 01:38:29 PM »
Vidya,
The reference books I've checked state 1939-1944 for the handle style of your small logo Griswolds (according to the ebay item# you listed). The handle style on your skillets is considered "early." "Late" and "grooved" are the other two handle styles.

Offline Chris Stairs

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Re: My first Griswolds
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2014, 04:01:14 PM »
Hi Vidya,

  Welcome to WAGS!

  This picture may help you to see what Russell means by different handle styles on small logo skillets.




Chris
“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.” ― Stephen Hawking

Offline Vidya Gopalakrishna

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Re: My first Griswolds
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2014, 04:35:00 PM »
Thank you, Russell and Chris! That's exactly what I wanted to know. :D

Offline Jim Glatthaar

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Re: My first Griswolds
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2014, 01:31:33 AM »
Vidya, very exciting, your first Griswold.  I'm willing to bet it will have many siblings shortly.   8-)

Offline Larry Pesek

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Re: My first Griswolds
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2014, 07:17:50 AM »
[size=12]Vidya,

  Welcome to WAGS and congrats on your first Griswolds!
  I have a question...  What's for dinner?  ;D ;D ;D

~Larry~[/size]
« Last Edit: April 13, 2014, 07:19:53 AM by LRPY »

Offline Vidya Gopalakrishna

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Re: My first Griswolds
« Reply #6 on: April 16, 2014, 12:30:59 AM »
My bank account would like to argue with you, Jim, but.... I just picked up another couple of #3 skillets - according to the seller, a Griswold and a Vollrath (though I didn't see any identifying marks on it). The Griswold looks like it has the late handle model, and the Vollrath a similar looking one. These two are going to need some cleaning up, though. But I wanted a project piece. :)

I don't really have the room,but I think I might keep an eye out for a Dutch oven next.

And Larry, once I get them, macaroni and cheese - one of the recipes the Black Iron Blog shared from the Cast Iron Cookbook.

And after that, possibly Dutch babies, pie, and pizza.

I have to admit, I already have a favorite skillet for eggs, and it's not cast iron. It's a ceramic-coated nonstick pan. But... After reading about the older cast iron, I get the feeling I'll enjoy using that a lot more than the cast iron I already have. I'll keep using my ceramic skillet, but I'll feel better knowing that if something happens to it, I'll have another one I like just as much, and probably much more durable.
« Last Edit: April 16, 2014, 12:38:40 AM by Magycmyste »

Offline Duke Gilleland

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Re: My first Griswolds
« Reply #7 on: April 16, 2014, 05:30:44 AM »
Yidya, Check your PM's...Duke
Nowhere But TEXAS!