5 long-form pieces
Buying guides
Long-form pieces on the buyer-decision questions that come up when you're shopping vintage cast iron on eBay. Each guide is ≥950 words, written from the buyer's perspective, and cross-linked to the piece reference pages it discusses.
How to identify a real Griswold vs reproduction
Erie-made Griswold sells for several times what lookalikes, later Sidney-made pieces and recasts bring. Four checks — the mark, the pattern number, the casting and the size — separate the real thing before you bid.
Read guide →Wagner Ware sizing & dating — the complete reference
How to date Wagner cast iron from its marks — plain WAGNER, Wagner Ware, the 1922 stylized logo and its heat-ring and smooth-bottom phases — plus how Wagner sizes compare with Griswold and which catalog numbers to know.
Read guide →Common cast iron defects — deal-killer vs $5 fix
Rust, crud and worn seasoning come off. Cracks, warps, deep pitting and fire damage don't. How to read listing photos and decide what a defect is worth before you bid.
Read guide →Cast iron restoration — from flea-market crust to ready-to-cook
Most rusty, crusted vintage iron can be stripped and re-seasoned over a weekend with basic materials. The methods, the safety rules, and the mistakes that damage a pan or its value.
Read guide →eBay seller red flags for vintage cast iron
Most sellers of vintage cast iron are honest but not experts. Seven listing patterns that mean you should ask harder questions — or walk away — before you bid.
Read guide →