Dutch oven

SWMO wrote:
Lodge holds the heat for frying longer, but takes longer to heat up.
I'm no expert, but those that claim to know say that the finer sand necessary to make a smoother casting became to hard to get and to expensive.
You can't debate the fact that Lodge survived and Wagner/Griswold didn't.

Lodge used to be nice and smooth as well.. I have a couple of really nice older Lodge pieces that are just as good as the Wagners and Griswolds.

Make sure that the lid of the pan is either flat or concave with a lip around the edge. This helps keep coals on the top of the oven.

Wishbone51 wrote:

SWMO wrote:
..yet some of it was made by the same company and no one can tell the difference beyond the markings.

When Wagner purchased Griswold and produced the dual logo pans, it was around this time when the quality started going south.

My opinion why Griswold can fetch a better price than Wagner is because their logo is nicer looking.. Most of my collection is Wagner. I actually like it better. I do have a few nice Griswold pieces.

I think you're absolutely right about the logo and Wagner and Griswold are fine peiecs of cast iron. I'm still of the opinion that there isn't a lot of difference on the stove top however. Lodge holds the heat for frying longer, but takes longer to heat up.
I'm no expert, but those that claim to know say that the finer sand necessary to make a smoother casting became to hard to get and to expensive.
You can't debate the fact that Lodge survived and Wagner/Griswold didn't.

SWMO wrote:
..yet some of it was made by the same company and no one can tell the difference beyond the markings.

When Wagner purchased Griswold and produced the dual logo pans, it was around this time when the quality started going south.

My opinion why Griswold can fetch a better price than Wagner is because their logo is nicer looking.. Most of my collection is Wagner. I actually like it better. I do have a few nice Griswold pieces.

sandblast wrote:
SWMO
Sorry but a Lodge will never heat as good or as even as a Griswold or a Wagner
due to the superior quality metal. As I said you can then settle for a newer Lodge.
Example The Chinese models are just as heavy as a Lodge

I have to call BS on that one. That isn't the difference or a difference. The early makers all used US iron. I don't know where Lodge gets there iron now, but I would assume not from very far.
The real differences are between design and manufacturing of the early versus the late. All three of the major US makers used a finer sand and finishing and that included lodge. Lodge simply took a path that they would provide the advantages of a heavier skillet.
The reason that Lodge is rougher today is in the expense of the finer sand, something they have to consider to survive against the influx of cheap foreign products. The new Lodge will season up smooth, at least mine does.
The older CI is all good iron, no doubt about it, but some is inflated for no practical reason. Wagner is worth less than Griswold, yet some of it was made by the same company and no one can tell the difference beyond the markings.
There are advantages to heavy and lighter, depending on what style of cooking is being done.
The bottom line is you really want some old iron and you aren't a collector, buy Wagner, Lodge or something from the smaller companies that existed.

I have had lots of iron, Lodge, Old American, and Chinese made. It's nice to have the best of anything. However, I feel that if you know what you're doing, you will get good results with whatever you have. I think that cast iron has seen a resurgence in popularity, and there has been some 'elitists' coming out of woodwork. My mother was an expert using her iron, and she couldn't tell you what brand it was.

Maurice45 wrote:
If you're traveling, there is a large Lodge outlet store at the Sevierville exit off I40. As others have mentioned be certain the lid has a lip to keep coals in place that is absolutely necessary for good uniform heat.

There's one in myrtle beach, sc also. But I didn't find their prices to be any cheaper. They do however have some items that you may not see in some stores.

SWMO
Sorry but a Lodge will never heat as good or as even as a Griswold or a Wagner
due to the superior quality metal. As I said you can then settle for a newer Lodge.
Example The Chinese models are just as heavy as a Lodge

Sorry about Griswold or Griswold, meant to say Griswold or Wagner

If you're traveling, there is a large Lodge outlet store at the Sevierville exit off I40. As others have mentioned be certain the lid has a lip to keep coals in place that is absolutely necessary for good uniform heat.