8-16-2026

Cast Iron Skillets

I have been cooking on a 10.5 inch (number 8) Lodge cast iron skillet for longer than I can remember. Before I had it, I had some unmarked badly warped skillet that I used. It always annoyed me when I cooked eggs and then ran off to the side. I got rid of it when I switched to the Lodge.

Recently I moved some of my camping gear and discovered a Wagner 11-3/4 inch skillet that I had somehow overlooked. I don't know where I got it. It was probably set aside because it was so big. However, I have started using it and it is remarkably nicer than the Lodge. The bottom is smooth as glass and looks like it was machined flat (and probably was). This is not to say my old Lodge didn't work -- it worked just fine, but this is so much nicer.

My Wagner is marked "1891" on the bottom with a bunch of lettering. I have read people saying that these Wagners are to be avoided. If that is true, I want to get my hands on an older model Wagner and find out how nice it is.

Griswold is the other name. People say that Wagner and Griswold are both equally nice to cook on, but people generally prefer Griswold and will pay twice as much for a Griswold as they will for a Wagner.

Lancaster is making really superb skillets. You can buy their 10.5 inch on Amazon for $175 and it is a thing of beauty -- but pricey.

Another option for new cast iron that is not so expensive is Cuisinell. They are available online.

Skillet numbers

My 10.5 inch Lodge is marked "8SK" -- so it is a number 8 size. The number 8 refered to the size hole ("eye") in a wood burning stove this skillet was designed to cover. Some skillets have heat rings to improve the seal and avoid smoke in the kitchen. All this is not terribly relevant in most kitchens today. The number system persists.

My 11-3/4 inch Wagner is a number 10. Here is a table:

Feedback? Questions? Drop me a line!

Tom's Cast Iron Info / tom@mmto.org