Griswold

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Griswold

56 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 30, 2025

  PFAS free panini press / griddler

  Nice find! Those old Griswolds are absolute tanks. I've got a vintage Wagner that's been passed down through the family and it still cooks better than anything modern. Just make sure to check for cracks when you're shopping around - some of those antique ones have been through hell but the good ones will outlast you

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• #2Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  Staub or Le Creuset large Dutch oven A good quality 12 inch cast iron skillet (ideally with lid) and an 8 inch cast iron skillet. For vintage I prefer Griswold, Wagner and lodge are great as well. New- Finex, Smithey, Field company are all machined smoothly and come down to preference. A lodge will get smooth with either years of dedicated use or a long angle grinding, sanding, and re-seasoning session. 10 inch carbon steel- the 10 inches are really lightweight, great for egg duty and flipping things in the air that would kill your wrist on a cast iron. However I’ve found a 12 inch is too heavy for this and might as well use the cast iron if you’re not having to lift and flip Saucepan, stockpot, saucier- go for quality stainless steel or copper if you’re willing to spend a little extra. However, most vintage copper will not work on induction. Mauviel has developed a copper line that is induction compatible but each pan between like $400 and $1000 so it’s a sizable investment. I do some stir fry’s so I keep a wok, I usually use it outside on my propane burner for turkey frying/ seafood boils since you want some crazy high BTUs for a proper stir fry. Those wok kitchens are pumping out like 60k, you’ll never get there on a residential indoor range. Carbon steel for the wok- and you can get good ones at Asian grocery stores for like $20-$30. The above covers 95% of my cooking needs. There are a few niche pieces like a tagine (Staub) and paella pan (I think le creuset) that are the proper tools for those meals but don’t get much use otherwise.

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• #3Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  For me, a mix of materials works best. I have to make all food from scratch so everything I use is in heavy rotation. The bulk of my cookware is stainless steel (All Clad d3 & d5). All Clad’s U shape handles make it so easy to hold/grab the pot. Heritage cookware is equal quality to All Clad IMO but I don’t love their slick handle design because it makes it harder to hand wash the pots. On the other hand, Heritage’s All but the kitchen sink set has so many useful sizes and shapes All Clad doesn’t make (1.5qt sauté, 3qt saucier, 5qt tall, 6qt rondou just for starters) that outside of a roasting pan, you’re basically set with your pots and pans. I hear good things about Viking, but I’ve never cooked out of them. I have a few antique cast iron Griswold skillets that are as smooth as glass and used for toasting spices and making things like eggs, steaks, cornbread, focaccia, deep dish pizza, and pie. If you don’t want to hunt around for Griswold’s, I hear that Field skillets are similar weight & smoothness. People rave about Smithey’s - but goodness are those skillets significantly heavier - almost 3 times what my Griswold weighs. I prefer not to have shoulder surgery after cooking in cast iron. The bare cast-iron skillets are my easiest cookware to clean so they are my favorite. I have a few enamel cast-iron pieces: a Staub cocotte (it’s heavier than Le Creuset but I find it is more multipurpose due to its lid design), braiser, crepe pan, fondue pot, and grill pan. From Le Creuset, I have a saucier and rice pot with an everything basket. The enameled cast iron pieces are amazing for soups, stews, braises, bread baking, sauces, grilling, rice, or getting the best darn fondue, hot pot, or crepes of your life - and you don’t have to worry about acidic foods eating away the seasoning on bare cast iron. I have the grill pan because I can’t grill outside, but if I could grill outside, the grill pan would not be used as much. I was just given a carbon steel baking steel but I haven’t had a chance to test it out.

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• #4Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  If you wanna go the fb marketplace route: look for the stainless steel Revere Ware and Wagner or Griswold cast iron

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• #5Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  I’ve had the same SS All-Clad (non-stick) set for the last 30 years. Plus a handful of Le Cruset pieces, and some Griswold cast iron that is 100+ years old that I cook with.

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• #6Dec 29, 2025

  What are the up-and-coming companies known for quality goods?

  I think they are saying they could take a MIChina skillet and mill it/sand it, ie making it polished like a Stargazer. To their question though, nothing too special about Finex, Stargazer, Smithy, etc are all just nicer-finished cast. You can still fairly easily find old Wagner or Griswolds cheaper that will do a great job as well. Lodge is also great, some people swear that the rougher surface doesn’t perform as well, but you can easily fix that in an afternoon of sanding if necessary.

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• #7Dec 28, 2025

  PFAS free panini press / griddler

  Search for antique cast iron waffle makers. I have a 1920s Griswold #8 high base and it's great.

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• #8Dec 7, 2025

  Best thing to buy for $100

  I’ve bought newer, high-end cast iron pans for $200 and they don’t hold a candle to an old griswald. The finishing on those old pans is truly a lost art. You can still buy them on eBay and for much cheaper than the new ones

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• #9Dec 4, 2025

  Cookware that will outlast any of us

  I have the exact same Griswold Cast Iron that I got from my Grandma from like the 70s

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• #10Dec 4, 2025

  Cookware that will outlast any of us

  My family is still using Wagner Ware and Griswold cast iron that were my great grandparents'. Take care of it and it will last forever. Hell even maintaining the seasoning is easy if you just go with the longyao wok method.

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• #11Dec 4, 2025

  Cookware that will outlast any of us

  They are quite heavy. This comment had me curious about how much they actually weigh though [cast iron is 15.8lb copper is 12.1lb](https://imgur.com/a/TEnuVRI)

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• #12Dec 4, 2025

  Cookware that will outlast any of us

  [I like your taste!](https://freeimage.host/i/fIjV4xS) Your luck with Wagner appears far better than mine. I've had to oet every piece I came across go; all spinners. That Griswold is actually a Wagner made (post acquisition); I encourage you to seek out one made from the Erie, PA foundry to add to your lovely collection.

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• #13Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  Size 14 Griswold

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• #14Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  yup, i use an 80+year old Griswold right next to a 10 year old Lodge and both are great. Same goes for my 15 year old Stainless Calphalon.

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• #15Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  ...and it may last a lifetime for the person who inherits it as well. A few years ago I was handed my great grandmothers Griswold's in very useable condition.

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• #16Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  No kidding. My favorite pans that I have are from the 1930's & 1940's. Cast iron. Griswold #9 & a Wagner #7 that was my wife's grandparents. The Wagner hung on the side of their barn for years before I stole it. Lol They'll be my grandson's pans eventually.

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• #17Dec 1, 2025

  Which type of pan is the BIFL king?

  I actually have some pre-1968 Revere Ware, some of the older ones may be 1940s. So, not 100 years old, but pretty darn old nonetheless. However, 99% of the time unless I \*must\* use something lighter, I'm using one of my Griswolds. I would argue that a good carbon steel pan could last even longer.

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• #18Dec 1, 2025

  Ever tried to save money and ended up spending more?

  My Griswold dutch oven is pushing 90 years old this year and will almost certainly last 90 more. I use it a couple times a week. I can use a metal spatula / spoon to really get all the fond. Enamel is great, but because it isn't repairable it isn't BIFL

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• #19Nov 8, 2025

  Looking for new BIFL cooking pans. Our Place?

  I love my field, Wagner and Griswold cast iron. Ceramic seems just weird.

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• #20Nov 6, 2025

  starting to care more about buy it for life stuff

  Regarding cast iron... Look for vintage skillets and pots. They are lighter and have much smoother surfaces than the current crap by Lodge, etc. You don't need the Wagner or Griswold ones which I think are a bit overpriced due to collector demand. I have some of those of course but most of mine have no names or markings. And yes you can use dish soap on them if properly seasoned.

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• #21Nov 2, 2025

  What's the best cookware you've ever had?

  Le Creuset, vintage cast iron (like Griswold, not Lodge), all-Clad and a French carbon steel skillet for crepes and eggs.

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• #22Nov 2, 2025

  What's the best cookware you've ever had?

  I use Le Crueset along with All-Clad. I use the 7qt Le Creuset Dutch Oven for pot roasts, stews, soups, chili, etc. I have used both brands for many years. I also have some vintage Griswold and Wagner skillets that I love. They are nicely seasoned and lightweight. Also I have some carbon steel pieces that I love. Just like with good carbon steel knives, wash right away and thoroughly dry after use.

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• #23Oct 2, 2025

  Cast iron skillet, this one’s over 100 years old and my oldest is up to 145. Just can’t wear it out. Before and after restoring

  My grandmother’s Griswold is my most prized possession. Every meal in it feels like a legacy

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• #24Oct 2, 2025

  Cast iron skillet, this one’s over 100 years old and my oldest is up to 145. Just can’t wear it out. Before and after restoring

  Love my Griswold skillet. I have the #9. I use it all the time but I started meal prepping and need something bigger.

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• #25Oct 2, 2025

  Cast iron skillet, this one’s over 100 years old and my oldest is up to 145. Just can’t wear it out. Before and after restoring

  Oooh, nice. Slant logo Griswold, early 30s IIRC. In great shape! I have some like this, and they are great to cook with. One is my daily driver.

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• #26Oct 1, 2025

  Cast iron skillet, this one’s over 100 years old and my oldest is up to 145. Just can’t wear it out. Before and after restoring

  Griswold!

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• #27Oct 1, 2025

  Cast iron skillet, this one’s over 100 years old and my oldest is up to 145. Just can’t wear it out. Before and after restoring

  I have a few like that. Also a Griswold oval roaster that I love.

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• #28Oct 1, 2025

  Cast iron skillet, this one’s over 100 years old and my oldest is up to 145. Just can’t wear it out. Before and after restoring

  Before they were called Griswold, the pans just said “Erie” on it with size number and sometimes makers marks. Those are the thinnest and lightest pans I’ve ever had. I’ve always found it funny that it literally says “Cast Iron Skillet”, just in case I forget what it is😂

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• #29Oct 1, 2025

  Cast iron skillet, this one’s over 100 years old and my oldest is up to 145. Just can’t wear it out. Before and after restoring

  I have a friend whose hobby is collecting Griswold pans. He finds them in thrift shops, garage sales and antique stores, soaks them in Coca-cola to strip them, then coats them in grapeseed oil and bakes them in the oven at 400 for a few hours. Does this coat 'n cook step about 3-4 times to get it properly seasoned for cooking.

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• #30Oct 1, 2025

  Cast iron skillet, this one’s over 100 years old and my oldest is up to 145. Just can’t wear it out. Before and after restoring

  I want an iron wall. But the old cast iron wasn’t as heavy as today’s Lodge brands. The old Griswold # 8 and 10s were pretty manageable. People just like the nonstick nowadays.

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• #31Oct 1, 2025

  Cast iron skillet, this one’s over 100 years old and my oldest is up to 145. Just can’t wear it out. Before and after restoring

  Griswold is well documented so it just took some research. This logo is called a slant EPU, they changed a lot from 1880 to the 1950’s.

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• #32Sep 4, 2025

  Cast iron pans really do last forever

  Griswold and Wagner Ware are highly sought after for vintage cast iron with a very smooth glassy surface. Lodge is cheap and sold everywhere these days, and it's very good.

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• #33Sep 4, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  Currently cooking on a 90 year old nickel plated Griswold #6

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• #34Sep 4, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  I recently picked up a Griswold #6 from the 30s, still as nonstick as it was 90 years ago. Got it for $1 too.

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• #35Sep 4, 2025

  Cast iron pans really do last forever

  I've got a Griswold from the 1930's on my stove right now. I use it almost daily and unless it gets dropped and broken will easily last another 100 odd years.

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• #36Sep 3, 2025

  Looking for wedding registry ideas.

  10 inch Smithey cast iron pan. If I didn't have a Griswold and a Wagner I'd want one of those since it's smooth and you have to season it yourself. KitchenAid stand mixer, 325W at least. I prefer the tilt head design. Cuisinart 14 cup food processor Moccamaster coffee maker (with thermal carafe)

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• #37Aug 12, 2025

  What's the oldest thing you still use daily that works like new?

  My Griswold cast iron pan(s)

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• #38Aug 9, 2025

  What's the best BIFL item you own?

  The Griswold is my daily driver. I use it for everything including eggs.

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• #39Aug 9, 2025

  What's the best BIFL item you own?

  I've got a Griswold from that era I inherited from my Gramma, originally her mother's. I LOVE that pan, the surface is like glass.

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• #40Aug 9, 2025

  What's the best BIFL item you own?

  My 1930's Griswold and Wagner.

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• #41Aug 4, 2025

  What's the best brand to get some pots and pans set from

  Cast iron is the best. Sand your lodge smooth or upgrade to vintage Wagner/griswold or get some smithy’s. All clad makes nice non stick as well.

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• #42Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  Get a nice vintage Griswold cast iron skillet.

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• #43Jul 2, 2025

  Name your top 5 BIFL items

  Any cast iron cookware made before 1960, doesn't need to be Wagner or Griswold. Woodworking machines made in USA by Delta Rockwell, Powermatic, or the original DeWalt Speed Queen washers and dryers Carhartt jackets, pants, and overalls made in the USA New: Icon tools at HF.

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• #44Jun 7, 2025

  What are your favorite niche BIFL items that are currently available?

  Vintage Griswold or Wagner cast iron cookware. Puts modern options to shame and will last literally forever.

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• #45May 9, 2025

  Inherited my grandfather's 1950s cast iron skillet - still my go-to for Sunday breakfasts

  Not to be that "acktchually" guy, but they do make modern pans just as well as vintage. To put it in the most basic way I can, there's two types of pans you can get (obviously there's more, but you'll get what I mean).. cheap pans that have a rough cooking surface (haven't been milled to have a smooth surface) or expensive pans that have been milled (I'm talking $100+ for a cast iron). Vintage pans have been milled for a smooth cooking surface, which also helps with cleaning imo. A lot of vintage pans are also lighter in weight, making them slightly more user friendly if you struggle to lift less than 10 pounds. Modern Lodge pans haven't been milled and are quite heavy, but they will cook just as well as a vintage pan and with enough time and seasoning you will see a smoother and smoother cooking surface. With that said, you can buy a vintage Lodge for about the same price as it's modern equivalent so unless you're too lazy to look for a vintage pan I don't see any reason to get a modern one. Start getting into Griswold's and Wagner's and the price is going to be closer to the expensive modern pans of today. Modern milled brands would be Finex, Smithey, Field Company, etc

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• #46May 9, 2025

  Inherited my grandfather's 1950s cast iron skillet - still my go-to for Sunday breakfasts

  I daily my grandparent's 1930's Griswold. I cook everything in it. Excellent piece of cookware.

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• #47Apr 9, 2025

  What is your current BIFL item you recommend to everyone?

  Probably should have clarified that the transition is enameled cast iron as well as my old Griswold and Wagner pans, with a splattering of some newer things.

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• #48Apr 9, 2025

  NYT just put out a list of their BIFL picks

  I don’t agree with the lodge pans. They last forever but the sand casting is shit. Vintage cast iron pans are far smoother and easier to season. Give me a #8 griswold every day.

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• #49Apr 7, 2025

  But I thought it was BIFL 😭

  not the Griswold stuff from long ago. Ask any of us that have it! the stuff from the past 20-30 years, very different stuff----plenty of websites, other subs about cast iron cook ware

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• #50Apr 7, 2025

  But I thought it was BIFL 😭

  if you've ever had a Wagner or Griswold--it's not "very brittle" Tons of proper information off this sub about very old Cast Iron pans.

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• #51Apr 7, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  I daily a Griswold cast iron pan for everything including eggs. If I'm cooking larger dishes I use my 14 inch De Buyer carbon steel. I have a cheap set of stainless steel pots for general use. And a nice big Crock Pot brand enameled Dutch oven I got on a huge discount when Bed Bath and Beyond started it's death spiral.

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• #52Apr 7, 2025

  What's a good pan to buy to make Indian food like Dosa and Roti and even crepes? Any brands would be helpful. Dishwasher safe preferred but not mandatory.

  Dutch Ovens are a great multi use pan. They would work as a saute, skillet or a pot. Likely one of the most used tools in my kitchen. Lodge sells them but if you don't want to go through the hassle of making your pan non stick buy a used Griswald online. If you don't want to go the Griswald route the lodge will work just fine but know it will stick the first 3 times but after enough canola oil it will work just fine as non stick. Lodge likes to claim theirs is already seasoned but it is not non stick for the first 3 times with canola oil before the first time and hundreds more uses to get that flat surface vintage cast iron has (though it will get it eventually)

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• #53Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  I work as a chef and this pretty closely follows what I have. All clad stainless steel and cast iron. Extra credit if you get vintage cast iron like a griswold.

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• #54Feb 2, 2025

  Best pot and pan set

  Old Griswold cast iron

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• #55Feb 2, 2025

  Best Cast Iron Skillets Being Sold Today?

  I have a griswold I found in a field and cleaned up. I have used it now for 10 years and just recently found out it is a sought after brand. I have several lodge pans of all different sizes. My Griswold is my go to for eggs or anything delicate.

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• #56Jan 6, 2025

  Pots and pans that last?

  My Griswold and Wagner pans outlasted my grandmother, my mother and will outlast me.

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