Cookware Makers: Past & Present
Who made the pan in your collection—and who is making tomorrow’s heirlooms? Meet some familiar names in American cookware history, then explore companies producing new cast iron today.
Historic makers · Lodge’s continuing story · Makers today · Where to Buy
Names collectors know
These introductions are a starting point, not a complete list of foundries or a guide to dating an individual piece. Maker’s marks, construction, and company ownership changed over time.
Griswold — Erie, Pennsylvania
Growing out of the Selden & Griswold enterprise in the nineteenth century, Griswold became known for cookware bearing ERIE and Griswold marks. Its range included skillets, Dutch ovens, waffle irons, and other kitchen tools. The Erie manufacturing era ended in 1957; later ownership and trademark use are part of a separate chapter.
Griswold history and timeline — The Cast Iron Collector
Wagner — Sidney, Ohio
Established in 1891, Wagner made a broad range of cast iron and cast aluminum cookware. Wagner Ware and Magnalite are familiar names to collectors. The company’s history includes changes in ownership and its acquisition of Griswold in 1957; a brand name alone does not establish when a piece was made.
Wagner history and timeline — The Cast Iron Collector
Favorite — Piqua, Ohio
Favorite Stove & Range Company began operating in Piqua in 1889. Alongside stoves and ranges, it produced cookware remembered through Favorite Piqua Ware and related brands. The original company liquidated in 1935, and its cookware patterns and tooling passed to Chicago Hardware Foundry.
Favorite history and timeline — The Cast Iron Collector
Wapak — Wapakoneta, Ohio
Wapak Hollow Ware Company operated from 1903 to 1926 and sold cookware under the Wapak and Oneta names. Collectors recognize its raised “Indian Head” logo, while other Wapak pieces may show faint marks inherited from patterns based on another maker’s pan.
Wapak history and timeline — The Cast Iron Collector
Lodge: a continuing American story
Lodge connects the foundry era of Griswold, Wagner, Favorite, and Wapak with cookware being made today. Joseph Lodge founded Blacklock in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, in 1896, producing cookware and other cast iron goods.
In May 1910, fire destroyed the Blacklock foundry. Joseph Lodge and his family started again: three months later, the business reopened down the road under the Lodge name. Its long history includes making novelty castings to keep people employed during the Great Depression, introducing foundry-seasoned cookware in 2002, and opening a second foundry in 2017.
Today, Lodge’s seasoned cast iron skillets, griddles, and Dutch ovens keep an American manufacturing tradition in everyday kitchens and outdoor cooking. Its range also includes enameled cookware. For collectors, Lodge offers a chance to connect historical pieces with a company whose story continues.
Explore Lodge’s illustrated history · Visit Lodge’s official website
Explore cookware makers today
New cast iron includes traditional seasoned iron, smooth finished skillets inspired by vintage cookware, and enameled pieces. These links lead to the manufacturers’ own sites, where you can explore their stories, products, and care guidance.
- Lodge — Seasoned cast iron for kitchen and outdoor cooking, plus enameled cookware.
- Le Creuset — Founded in France in 1925; known for colorful enameled cast iron, still made in Fresnoy-le-Grand. Read its story.
- Staub — French enameled cast iron, including cocottes (Dutch ovens), skillets, and other cookware.
- Smithey Ironware — American-made cast iron inspired by classic cookware, with polished cooking surfaces. Read its story.
- Field Company — American-made skillets emphasizing lighter weight and smooth, vintage-style finishing. Explore its process.
- Stargazer — American-made cast iron with machined interiors, long handles, and flared rims. Explore its process.
- FINEX — American-made cookware with distinctive octagonal skillets, coiled handles, and smooth cooking surfaces. Read its story.
Keep exploring
For help researching a piece, start with Collecting and Identification. For vintage sellers and direct links to new cookware, visit Where to Buy Cast Iron. Return to Research & Resources for more references.