The Revival Of Cast Iron: Exploring The New Wave Of Pan Manufacturers

There are a number of new cast iron pan manufacturers, including:

- Lancaster Cast Iron

- Stargazer Cast Iron

- Borough Furnace

- Smithey Ironware Company

- Butter Pat Industries

- Challenger Breadware

These companies are based in the United States and offer a range of cast iron cookware, from skillets to Dutch ovens. They have been founded as recently as 2011, with the most recent being established in 2015.

Lancaster Cast Iron: a small company producing cast-iron pans in southeastern Pennsylvania

Lancaster Cast Iron is a small company based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, that produces cast-iron pans. Their skillets are crafted with a smooth, lightweight design, making them a preferred choice for professional chefs and home cooks alike. The skillets are machined smooth to create a natural non-stick cooking surface, and their thin walls allow them to respond to heat quickly, reaching cooking temperature in seconds.

The company takes pride in the fact that each of their pans is handcrafted and seasoned by local Amish craftsmen and artisans in southeastern Pennsylvania. The skillets are available in a range of sizes, including No. 4, No. 8, No. 10, and No. 12, with more sizes expected to be released soon. In addition to their skillets, Lancaster Cast Iron also offers a variety of wooden kitchen utensils and leather accessories, such as spoon rests, pot holders, and handle covers.

Lancaster Cast Iron skillets have received positive reviews from customers, who praise their lightweight, smooth cooking surface, comfortable handle, pouring spouts, and heirloom-quality appearance. The company's commitment to craftsmanship and the use of local artisans contribute to the skillets' reputation as a durable and high-performance product.

With their lifetime warranty, Lancaster Cast Iron skillets are designed to be passed down through generations, becoming cherished heirlooms in the kitchens of both professional chefs and home cooks. The company's passion for bringing people together around the dinner table is reflected in the quality and craftsmanship of their cast-iron cookware.

Lodge Manufacturing: one of America's oldest cookware companies, founded in 1896

Lodge Manufacturing is one of the oldest cookware companies in the United States, founded in 1896 by Joseph Lodge. The company is based in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, a town of 3,000 people along the Tennessee River. Lodge Manufacturing is still owned and managed by the descendants of the Lodge family, with Mike Otterman named as the first non-family member to run the company in 2019.

Lodge Manufacturing was originally named the Blacklock Foundry, but after a fire in 1910, Joseph Lodge rebuilt and renamed the company Lodge Manufacturing. Lodge Manufacturing survived the Great Depression, with Joseph Lodge and his family producing and selling novelty items such as cast-iron garden gnomes and animals to keep their workers employed. Lodge Manufacturing was also one of the first companies to automate its molding and casting process in the late 1950s to 1965.

The company is known for its cast-iron cookware, with most of its products being produced in its foundry in South Pittsburg. Lodge Manufacturing was the first cast-iron cookware manufacturer to season their products in the foundry in 2002. The company has since expanded its product line to include carbon steel and enameled cast-iron cookware. In 2017, Lodge opened its second foundry in New Hope, Tennessee, increasing its manufacturing capacity by 75%.

Lodge Manufacturing's cast-iron skillets are highly regarded, known for their consistent and even heating, as well as their durability and affordability. The company's products are often recommended by chefs and cookbook authors, and are considered a worthy investment for any cook.

Wagner Manufacturing: sold to the Randall Company in 1952

The Wagner Manufacturing Company was a family-owned business that produced cast iron and aluminium cookware and other products. It was founded in 1891 by brothers Milton M. and Bernard P. Wagner in Sidney, Ohio, and was active until 1952.

In 1946, the heirs of the Wagner brothers began to sell their holdings in the company, and in 1952, the Wagner Manufacturing Company was sold to the Randall Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, a car parts manufacturer.

The Wagner Manufacturing Company had a dominant position in the cookware market, with a 60% market share at its peak. The company's products included skillets, kettles, Dutch ovens, griddles, waffle irons, and more. They were known for their quality, with a focus on craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The sale to the Randall Company marked a shift for the Wagner company, but it did not signal a decline in production or quality. Instead, it united Wagner with its rival Griswold, which Randall acquired in 1957. This acquisition allowed Randall to own two of the biggest names in cast iron cookware at the time.

The Wagner Manufacturing Company's legacy continued even after the sale, with subsequent owners operating the Sidney plant until 1999 and the brand being reintroduced to the market by Wagner Cast Iron in 2022, which produces reissues of historic Wagner products.

Griswold Manufacturing: acquired by the Randall Company in 1957

Griswold Manufacturing was an American company that produced cast-iron kitchen products from 1865 until 1957. In March 1957, the company was acquired by McGraw-Edison of Chicago, Illinois. Later that year, the Griswold brand and housewares division were sold to the Wagner Manufacturing Company of Sidney, Ohio, a subsidiary of the Randall Company, which had owned Wagner since 1952.

Following the acquisition, the Griswold foundry and manufacturing plant in Erie, Pennsylvania, was closed, and production was moved to the Wagner foundry in Sidney, Ohio. Pans continued to be produced with the Griswold logo from 1957 through the mid-1960s, although they no longer included the "Erie, PA" mark. In the early to mid-1960s, a number of pans were produced with dual logos, featuring both the Griswold and Wagner images. By the late 1960s, the Griswold logo had been phased out, and cast iron from General Housewares was labelled with the Wagner Ware logo.

Griswold Manufacturing was renowned for its high-quality cast-iron products, particularly cookware, which was sold worldwide. The company's cast-iron skillets, pots, Dutch ovens, and other kitchen items were known for their superior quality, and today, Griswold pieces are highly sought-after by collectors.

The history of Griswold Manufacturing can be traced back to 1865, when Matthew Griswold moved from his family farm in Connecticut to Erie, Pennsylvania. In 1868, Griswold formed a business partnership with his cousins, the Selden brothers, to manufacture butt hinges. The small foundry, known locally as the "Butt Factory", produced a range of metal products, including stovetop waffle irons, which became one of the company's earliest and most successful products.

Over the years, Griswold expanded its product line to include skillets, pots, grinding mills, waffle irons, kettles, Dutch ovens, roasters, and various other pots and pans. The company gained a worldwide reputation for its quality cast-iron products, and in the 1920s, began producing enameled items. In the 1930s, Griswold added electrical items to its product line.

By the 1940s, however, the company began to face financial difficulties due to competition from manufacturers of more modern products, as well as internal labour disputes and declining quality. In 1946, Ely Griswold, amidst family infighting, sold the company to a New York investment group and retired. In 1957, the company was acquired by McGraw-Edison, and subsequently sold to the Wagner Manufacturing Company, marking the end of an era for the iconic Griswold brand.

Stargazer Cast Iron: founded in 2015, designs and manufactures cast iron in the US

Stargazer Cast Iron is a US-based manufacturer of cast-iron cookware, founded in 2015. The company is based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and offers a range of skillets and pans designed for modern cooking while retaining the traditional benefits of cast iron.

Stargazer skillets are designed with a proprietary micro-textured surface finish that is naturally non-stick and easy to clean. This finish also helps retain seasoning, enhancing the flavour of cooked food. The skillets are also designed to be lighter than traditional cast iron, improving ease of use without compromising heat retention.

A notable feature of Stargazer's cookware is the stay-cool handle, which remains cooler for longer than traditional designs, improving handling safety. The traditional pour spouts have been replaced with a drip-free flared rim, allowing for clean pouring from any angle.

Stargazer's products include 10.5-inch and 12-inch skillets, as well as a 13.5-inch cast-iron braiser pan, all of which are made in the USA and come with a lifetime warranty. The company offers free shipping and returns within the US.

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