Cast Iron Research & Resources

Explore cookware history, identification, care, and the collector community. The GCICA newsletter archive is available to members; the other resources below are open on their original sites.

GCICA resources

• Collecting and Identification — A practical starting guide to identifying a piece, with references and ways to ask questions.
• Legends in the Business — Collector stories by Mary Theisen, plus documented GCICA founders and charter members.
• Historical reproduction lists — Items documented in the 1998 and 2008 GCICA handbooks by the Appraisals and Reproduction Committee. Member sign-in is required.
• GCICA newsletter archive — Past issues of the Griswold & Cast Iron Quarterly. Member sign-in is required.
• GCICA events — Conventions and chapter meetings where collectors exchange knowledge in person.
• Where to Buy Cast Iron — Marketplaces, collector groups, and a checklist for evaluating a piece.

Identification and history

• ERIE Skillets by Roy Meadows — A detailed study of ERIE skillet variations, published by the Wagner and Griswold Society.
• Cast Iron Collector’s News — Historical newsletter issues available through the WAGS forum.

Care and collecting

• Cast iron and aluminum care — WAGS guidance on cleaning and maintaining collectible cookware.
• GCICA Members and Friends group — Ask identification questions and share discoveries with collectors. Facebook sign-in and group approval may be required.
• Cast Iron Community — An active group for cast iron discussion, identification, and restoration. Selling and trading are not allowed in this group. Facebook sign-in and group approval may be required.

Facebook cast iron groups

These independent groups cover discussion, cooking, collecting, identification, and restoration. Facebook sign-in and group approval may be required.

Discussion and community

• Cast Iron Addicts (CIA)
• Cast Iron Connection Plus
• Cajun Cast Iron Collectors
• The Official Lodge Cast Iron Community
• Cast Iron Cookware
• Southeast Cast Iron & Carbon Steel Network
• Cast Iron King Group "The Original One"
• Cast Iron Friends: BSR & Lodge
• Cast Iron Enthusiasts

Cooking and recipes

• Cast Iron Supper Club
• Cast Iron Cookin’ BBQ’n w/ Recipes
• Cast Iron Campfire Cooking
• Cast Iron Waffle House
• Cast Iron Waffles ~ Pizzelles ~ KrumKakes ~ Novelties
• Cast Iron Skillet cooking/collecting

Collecting, makers, and identification

• Magnalite Community (Cleaning, Cooking, Collecting, etc.)
• Hammered Cast Ironware
• Lodge Commemorative and Advertising Cast Iron
• Bottom Gate Marked Cast Iron Cookware
• Martin Stove, Favorite, and CHF Cast Iron Collectors Forum
• How Much Is My Cast Iron Worth?
• Crescent Ozark/G.F. Filley/Excelsior Made in Missouri C.I. Enthusiasts
• Sperry Cast Iron Collectors
• Wagner and Griswold Society - BSR, Atlanta Stove, Lodge, Favorite, Wapak

Restoration

• Electrolysis Tank Builders

External resources are maintained by their publishers. GCICA will add its own research guides and indexes here as they are prepared.