Piece type

Vintage cast iron skillets

The piece most buyers mean by "vintage cast iron." Pre-1960 Griswold, Wagner and Favorite skillets had their cooking surfaces milled smooth at the factory, which is the main practical difference from modern sand-textured iron. Size numbers come from the stove-eye openings of wood and coal ranges, and they line up roughly across makers: a No. 8 from Griswold, Wagner or Lodge is about 10¼–10½ inches across the top, a No. 10 about 12 inches, and a No. 3 about 6½ inches. The No. 3, No. 5 and No. 8 are the most common sizes; the No. 14 and larger are scarce. On any skillet, check that it sits flat without rocking or spinning, look for hairline cracks from the rim, and watch for pitting, sandblasted finishes and plating.