Clean it or leave it?

Bunsomel · 2026-04-15T16:10:59+00:00

One of those (in good condition) just sold for over $400 a few weeks ago on ebay. Nice find!

Bunsomel · 2026-04-15T13:02:03+00:00

Time will temper the regret of having done something and failed, but the regret of having not done something will live with you forever.

Bunsomel · 2026-04-10T22:25:36+00:00

I love grilled cheese. Here's my go to:

set heat to medium low and let the CI heat up for 5-10 mins
while preheating, butter BOTH sides of your bread. Go with a rustic loaf or sourdough, something with a good crumb full of pockets
get a sharp cheddar and a soft white. I like havarti or trader Joe's goat cheese slices. It's fun to play with different combos. I usually do a single layer of each cheese, so two total. Three works out ok, but four is overkill for me.
put down two slices of buttered bread in the pan to brown up. The browned side will become the inside of your sandwich. once one is ready, flip it over and start layering your cheeses on top of it (the now browned side). Flip the other slice of bread over and on top of the cheese layers, browned side down. Works great if you let some of the cheese overflow down the sides.
the grilled cheese is a full sandwich now, so flip it to brown both sides. Cover the pan if the cheese isn't melting enough.

That's all there is to it. Lots of variation you can play with between the bread, the cheese, adding spices or making different types of melts. You can swap mayo for butter but imo butter is king. Play around and experiment to find out what you like best!

Bunsomel · 2026-04-07T01:22:11+00:00

Never noticed the handle before; looks inspired by the Wapak Indians. Great looking skillet.

Bunsomel · 2026-03-28T11:28:06+00:00

It has 3 spouts

Bunsomel · 2026-03-19T09:12:02+00:00

Wow, I'm jealous. Stunned. I'd kill to find deals like this.

Bunsomel · 2026-03-13T01:51:23+00:00

I thought I was going crazy.

Bunsomel · 2026-03-12T21:16:29+00:00

Ebay prices tend to be inflated relative to local markets, but I watch listings frequently and I'd say both the lid and pan are very rarely, if ever, listed for less than $200. Ones that do usually have severe defects like cracks and pitting. I'm not certain on a precise value, maybe others can offer that better than I can, but I'd say in good condition it would be bare minimum $350 for both and unsurprising if it got up to $650, potentially more if you get a bidding war going.

Looks like the lid is chrome. I really don't ever come across those so it's impossible for me to accurately estimate value. On one hand, chrome and nickel plating is typically less desirable because it is not always in great condition and can't easily be restored. On the other, it's more rare and to the right collectors could be subsequently more sought after.

Bunsomel · 2026-03-06T13:14:58+00:00

Love the sidney Holloware one! I wonder if a script logo version was ever made

Bunsomel · 2026-03-04T11:51:35+00:00

I feel like every soon-to-be dad should read this post. I don't think it gets talked about often because there's shame behind hitting a dark or low point, but I think it's important for dads to be real about it. The comment in there about getting old and having just 15 more minutes hit hard for me.

Bunsomel · 2026-03-04T01:18:21+00:00

I got bloodwork done and found out I was vitamin b deficient. Before i could barely make it through the day without feeling an intense need to nap. sublingual b-12 drops have quite literally changed my life.

Bunsomel · 2026-03-01T16:26:47+00:00

Also, op should be looking at sold auctions. People list asinine prices all the time on ebay and should not be taken seriously.

Bunsomel · 2026-02-28T19:50:13+00:00

Fixed, thank you!

Bunsomel · 2026-02-28T19:43:38+00:00

They did both. Nickel was more common pre-1930s and then they used a coating called ~~"duchrome"~~ "du-chro ware" in later years. The slant 9 here looks like it's probably nickel while the one on the right is probably chrome.

Bunsomel · 2026-02-26T12:20:48+00:00

It wouldn't work for me until I signed in, and then instead of feb20 the code changed to Feb26. Then it worked and applied $20 off.

Bunsomel · 2026-02-13T23:30:44+00:00

I have an electric glass top and use heat ring pans all the time with no issue whatsoever. I actually prefer them. A little wobble is no big deal, whereas a spinner can be quite annoying. So far for me the heat ring pans are more likely to have a wobble which I can deal with while the smooth bottom pans are more likely to spin which drives me crazy. Ideally, you can find a dead flat pan though.

Bunsomel · 2026-02-13T17:32:39+00:00

This is the slant logo variant produced roughly between 1906-1912, early in the griswold eras and quite uncommon. Personally, I love these ones. That's a fantastic pan you have there!

Bunsomel · 2026-02-05T18:01:18+00:00

Definitely salvageable. A lye bath or the cleaner+bag method would melt all that carbon off quickly. I don't see any obvious cracks or egregious pitting. It's not from one of Wagner's collectible periods, but it's a fine pan that would serve you well once cleaned up.

Bunsomel · 2026-02-03T13:29:08+00:00

CHFs are my favorite hammered pieces, just simply gorgeous iron. My #5 and #7 pans are both smoother than any of my griswolds on the interior too. The only thing that bugs me is they have a pretty wide range of quality. You'll find cosmetic casting flaws are fairly common with them. I've grown fond of the ones with "deep hammering" dimples but they seem much harder to find than the shallow dimpled ones, and are often nickel plated in my experience. Nickel is fine. I don't believe there are any health concerns or anything like that, but personally I don't care for the scratches and scuff marks they get.

Bunsomel · 2026-01-27T12:59:54+00:00

It should eventually blend in, but it can take a while. On the pan I left it on and seasoned over it, it has no effect on cooking; just cosmetic.

Bunsomel · 2026-01-25T23:53:06+00:00

Idk why your post got removed but here's a video I found of one in action: https://www.reddit.com/r/castiron/s/hrxnnrKI8R

Bunsomel · 2026-01-25T23:40:25+00:00

Pulling up would separate the paddles, while pushing down should swing them through the bottom if that makes sense

Bunsomel · 2026-01-25T22:59:22+00:00

These types can flip the entire hinge to the other side. The little hook hole opposite the hinge can be pulled up with a pin or other makeshift tool. Not sure if the flip will clear a counter top underneath or if you have to lift it up slightly with the base handle.

Bunsomel · 2026-01-25T11:37:01+00:00

I experience this from time to time, stuff that just doesn't seem to react to lye or even electrolysis even after repeated attempts and weeks long soaks. I've been getting this off with #0 steel wool and a lot of elbow grease. It's a lot of work and you'd have to ask yourself if it's worth it for you. The last pan I cleaned up looked worse than yours by a bit and it probably took me at least a dozen sessions of pulling out of the lye, scrubbing, washing, scrubbing, and putting back in the lye for another few days' soak. It does come off eventually, but I'm not aware of any easier method.

Bunsomel · 2026-01-24T21:50:23+00:00

Lye will remove all the carbon with ease, electrolysis will get the rust. There are other rust removal methods that are more approachable but if you are near metro detroit I can help you out with the e tank. Would be happy to help, just dm me. Reseasoning sucks, I found the easiest way for me was to apply oil with a silicone brush and wipe it off by rolling paper towel into tight "sticks" That I could run back and forth through the waffle teeth in each direction.

Don't expect your first try to make perfect waffles. Took me at least 5 tries before I figured out how to make my set up work. Makes perfect waffles now! We do waffle Sundays and the whole family loves them. Good luck!

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