Cast iron in thrift shops?

[Kevin]

I’ll admit it, I can’t pass up a good thrift shop. I go to two or three a week. Lately, well, for a while, I’ve begun to notice, I don’t ever see any cast iron anymore. In the past I’ve found Griswold, and all sorts of nameless cast iron pots and pans. Not anymore.

Is this just here in Dallas? Has anyone seen any cast iron in a thrift shop lately?

 

[Bull Barrel]

I can't go to thrift shops. I should be taking stuff to them.
From what I have seen-and its been a while- its cheaper to buy new.

 

[bobski]

I use to shop thrift/junk shops.
now my home IS A JUNK SHOP.
if anyone wants to see a peek of my junk, pm me. a dumpster is in the future at my estate.

 

[eveled]

I’ve seen too many lead ingots shaped like skillets to buy used cast iron. I’ve even seen ingot shaped like ears of corn.

Nothing wrong with the new lodge pans. The old ones are lighter and smoother, but they don’t cook any better.

 

[blackhawknj]

I am a real thrift shop hound, you've given me something else to look for.

 

[blume357]

Count your blessings, if you are like me the last thing you need is another cast iron pan,,,,

 

[Kevin]

Oh believe me. My goal for the remainder of this year is to declutter our house. It took a lot of effort and courage, but I did get rid of one end table. I need to do something s out my chair collection, but that’s another story....

Ive saved my thrift shop spending for truly exceptional items. Thus the cast iron. I have found some nice pieces. Like an unused Griswold Ebelskiver pan. That one went to the wife’s boss for his collection.

 

[bobski]

when you trip going to the bathroom in the night, you got clutteritis. I got it.

 

[powder smoke]

Cast Iron Pans love em especially Griswolds. ps

 

[toysoldier]

Now that you mention it, I haven't seen any cast iron in the thrift shops here.

 

[Achigan]

I think those are one of the good profit margin items. Buy cheap at a Goodwill or Salvation Army store, then resell on ebby

 

[Daveboone]

There are a lot of folks who frequently, sometimes daily hit the thrift stores for reselleable stuff. I have no doubt cast iron goes quick. I have to admit, I have several stores I frequent regularly when I am nearby and I have never seen cast iron. My guess is folks know it is worth more to sell by itself than to donate it for a bit of tax credit.

 

[sfhogman]

Cast iron cookware seems to have become a thing lately. I rarely see it in junk shops anymore.
It's sort of become a fad amongst the foodies...heaven knows I've got enough to last several lifetimes...

 

[wheelgun1958]

Stay away from Chinese cookware.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

I'm a survival cook: my entire cookbook collection starts with "Boil 2 cups of water." Even so, I have a weakness for cast iron, with a few old Griswold and Wagner pieces, plus more recent Wagner 1891 and Lodge pieces. Add some unbranded, other than "Made in USA", pieces. I used to see all of them really cheap at a few local thrift stores, then someone must have put an article on Facebook or something, because stuff just flew off the shelves, despite outrageous prices!

Since I know very few people who've cooked with cast iron and NOT gotten hooked, I imagine a lot of the cast iron we used to see will remain out of circulation for quite a while... it's not like the stuff wears out quickly!

Rick C

 

[Mega Twin]

I used to like to look for the stove top cast iron waffle irons.
They made a really nice waffle,but got rid of them when we moved.
Now it seems the price on them has risen a lot,if you can find them.

 

[reuben_j_cogburn]

I find mine at garage sales... and for a VERY good price!! check the vid!!

https://youtu.be/kVCZI_5Po40

 

[Number9]

Lodge added a new 127,000 square-foot foundry and a new 200,000 square foot warehouse.
I guess people are turning to cast iron!? The factory has been in the same location in South Pittsburg, TN for over 120 years.
I live only a few miles from the foundry for about 9 years.. during that time every yard sale had cast iron!
They have the National Cornbread Cook-Off Festival in South Pittsburg in April, if you like good cast iron food... it's hard to beat!
https://nationalcornbread.com/food/cornbread-cook-offs/

 

[jgt]

I have one I think might be somewhat rare. I have never seen another one, but it may just be the part of the country I am in. I have a lot of different size cast iron skillets, but I have one Dutch oven that has legs, a lip on the lid, and a handle like a skillet. I call it my skiloven. It is deep like an oven. I does not have a bail. I has been in my possession since 1983 and my family has had it for at least twenty years before that. Maybe longer.

 

[Rook]

That's all my wife cooks with is cast iron. She's got a lot of cast iron but these are the 4 she uses the most and they have no manufacture's name on them.

The big one at the top right of the photo belonged to my great grandma and the one on the bottom left belonged to my wife's grandma.

 

[Number9]

I have one I think might be somewhat rare. I have never seen another one, but it may just be the part of the country I am in. I have a lot of different size cast iron skillets, but I have one Dutch oven that has legs, a lip on the lid, and a handle like a skillet. I call it my skiloven. It is deep like an oven. I does not have a bail. I has been in my possession since 1983 and my family has had it for at least twenty years before that. Maybe longer.

Sounds like Deep Fryer/Skillet Pan?

 

[pete44ru]

.

A cast iron pot with legs and a rimmed top was meant to go directly in a campfire, with glowing coal/embers held atop the lid by the rim, to make it an oven for baking.

The original non-stick cookware - the only place to (maybe) find some F/S hereabouts is in an antique/collectibles shop.


Over the years, I bought most of my cast iron at yard/tag sales for less then $5.

.

 

[mohavesam]

I have one I think might be somewhat rare. I have never seen another one, but it may just be the part of the country I am in. I have a lot of different size cast iron skillets, but I have one Dutch oven that has legs, a lip on the lid, and a handle like a skillet. I call it my skiloven. It is deep like an oven. I does not have a bail. I has been in my possession since 1983 and my family has had it for at least twenty years before that. Maybe longer.

Sounds like Deep Fryer/Skillet Pan?

A dutch oven is a dutch oven. The lid gets filled with coals to cook from below and above. But you knew that.

 

[jgt]

That's what it looks like.

 

[Rick Courtright]

I used to like to look for the stove top cast iron waffle irons.

Hi,

Last set I saw was about five years ago: it was complete, handles unburnt, and no broken hinge or other "Oops, I dropped it" damage. Price was higher than I wanted to pay. Went home, thought about it, went back and... gone!

But I'll keep an eye out and see what pops up... maybe you'll get a nice birthday or Christmas present one of these days!

Rick C

 

[Rick Courtright]

The big one at the top right of the photo belonged to my great grandma and the one on the bottom left belonged to my wife's grandma.

Hi,

Nice pieces, Rook! One of the things I like about the older items (perhaps up to the end of Griswold--'50s?) is that it was all polished out inside, as opposed to the rough cast finish Lodge uses. In use, the Lodge surface will build up that carbon layer and smooth out, too. It just takes time...

Rick C

 

[Number9]

That's what it looks like.

S.R.I. & Co. Foundry Cast Iron Open Fire Footed Black Spider, Frying Pan Skillet / Griddle Deep Fryer.
Produced By S.R.I. & Co. Pittsburg, Pa.
Circa: 1870
Was sold for $190 at auction.

 

[bogus bill]

When I was a kid I had a uncle that was good at tall tales. We lived in a large old country general store with a loafer area that guys would sit, smoke and lie. There was a gullible farmer and my uncle told them how when he was a lumberjack in washington the cook had a cast iron skillet so big that he would strap a slab of bacon to each foot and skate around to grease it. Well this one morning he fell on his azz, and then--- this nurd farmer slapped his knee and said ooooh, ooooh, and then the other guys cracked up laughing at him. It dawned on him he been took! He got pizzed and stormed off saying he wasn't coming back!! My dad sez, Eldon, darn you! He was a good customer!

 

[Number9]

When I was a kid I had a uncle that was good at tall tales. We lived in a large old country general store with a loafer area that guys would sit, smoke and lie. There was a gullible farmer and my uncle told them how when he was a lumberjack in washington the cook had a cast iron skillet so big that he would strap a slab of bacon to each foot and skate around to grease it. Well this one morning he fell on his azz, and then--- this nurd farmer slapped his knee and said ooooh, ooooh, and then the other guys cracked up laughing at him. It dawned on him he been took! He got pizzed and stormed off saying he wasn't coming back!! My dad sez, Eldon, darn you! He was a good customer!

Got one almost that big... cooks Dew good too! :mrgreen:

 

[OVERLOADDED]

Went to an auction today, came home with a 20 gallon bean pot. The type for over a camp fire. It has a 5 inch crack I wil attempt to repair and no bail! The local American Legion has 80 50 gallon pots we cook 1400 pounds for the Old Soldiers and Sailors reunion! Overloadded