In this piece, we delve into the intriguing universe of Griswold cast iron cookware, examining the rich history and wide array of products the company has offered during its time in business. Starting from the early days of Seldon and Griswold with their initial foray into producing butt hinges, this exploration will reveal how the company evolved as it entered the cookware market, ultimately establishing itself as a renowned brand known for its cast iron items.

As we journey through the exhibit at the Watson Courtesy Mansion, we will not only look at Griswold’s vast collection of traditional cookware but also highlight some of the unique and unusual pieces that have been crafted by the company. From cast iron tea kettles to aluminum cookware and even whimsical cast iron toys, this exploration of Griswold’s offerings showcases the exceptional quality, durability, and ingenuity behind the brand.

Key Takeaways

• Griswold’s legacy began with the production of hinges before transitioning to cookware, showcasing the company’s evolution and adaptability
• The company offers a diverse range of products, including traditional cookware, unusual pieces, and even toys that showcase their craftsmanship
• Proper care and maintenance of Griswolds cast iron products ensure their longevity and usability for generations to come

Griswold Exhibit Overview

The Griswold Exhibit at Watson Courtesy Mansion showcases a collection of 116 pieces related to the Griswold brand. The exhibit features a variety of items, including some rare and unusual pieces that were produced by the company, demonstrating how it expanded from making hinges to cookware.

A Brief History

The Griswold company’s first product was a hinge, developed by Selden and Griswold. Over time, they moved on to producing cookware. One of the rare items on display in the exhibit is the very first hinge produced by the company, dating back to 1866.

Unique Pieces in the Exhibit

Some of the interesting pieces in the collection include:

• Sad irons: These solid metal irons were heated on the stove and came with detachable wooden handles.
• Bolo oven: A metal oven that could be placed on top of a wood stove to provide additional cooking space, used for baking bread, cookies, or roasting chicken.
• Enamelware: Cast iron pieces with porcelain overlay that came in various colors. These were attractive but susceptible to chipping and discoloring.
• Waffle irons, dampers, and lard press: Various cookware items produced by Griswold.
• Tea kettles: Cast iron and aluminum tea kettles, which were made in response to Alcoa’s development of a cheaper way to produce aluminum.
• Cake molds: Griswold produced cake molds in various shapes, such as bunnies, Santa Claus, and lambs, but cautioned collectors to be aware of reproductions.
• Toys: Griswold even created toy versions of their cookware for children to learn cooking skills.

Caring for Griswold Pieces

The exhibit also provides guidance on how to care for and maintain Griswold cast iron pieces. This involves cleaning rusty or caked-on pieces with vinegar, water, or lye, then seasoning the piece with oil and baking it in the oven. This restores the piece to a clean, usable state, perfect for cooking various dishes.

Initial Griswold Product: The Hinge

The original product of the Selden and Griswold company, known for their cast iron cookware, was actually a hinge. This rare piece, created in 1866, is considered the starting point of the company’s journey. The design was patented by Mr. Selden, a resident of Erie, and was the basis for the company’s expansion. Initially, Griswold produced these butt hinges in a factory located at Tenth and Chestnut until the company moved to develop cookware.

Some interesting early Griswold products include:

• Sad Irons: These heavy, solid metal irons were heated on stoves and have removable wooden handles. Interestingly, the term “sad” comes from Old English, meaning solid.
• Bolo Oven: Big Oven Little Oven. A portable metal oven, primarily for baking and roasting, that could be placed atop a wood or coal-fired stove.
• Enamelware Prototypes: Cast iron cookware with porcelain overlays in various colors, representing Griswold’s foray into enameled cookware.
• Tea Kettles: Cast iron and aluminum tea kettles featuring a unique spider web and skillet logo made in the 1880s to 1890s.
• Cake Molds: Griswold produced intricate cake molds with designs like Santa Claus, lamb, and bunny rabbit.

It’s important to note that the popularity of Griswold products has led to reproductions. Genuine Griswold cast iron pieces often have a smooth finish and clear lettering, while reproductions may appear rougher and with imperfect lettering.

Proper care and maintenance of Griswold cookware include removing rust with a vinegar solution and cleaning caked-on debris with a lye bucket. Once cleaned, cast iron pieces are seasoned with oil and baked to create a non-stick surface, making these timeless pieces ready for continued use.

Unusual Griswold Pieces

In the vast collection of Griswold items, there are several rare and unique pieces that stand out. The first piece ever made by Selden and Griswold was a hinge, patented on February 13th, 1866. This rare item marked the beginning of the company, which later expanded into cookware production.

Some other interesting pieces include:

• Sad irons: These heavy, solid metal irons were heated on the stove and used for pressing clothes. The term “sad” comes from Old English, meaning solid.
• Bolo oven: A versatile oven accessory made of metal. Designed for additional baking space, it could be used for cookies, breads, or even roasting a chicken. Many people still use these antique ovens today.
• Enamelware: Cast iron cookware with a porcelain overlay created by Griswold. The attractive enamel layers came in various colors, though the lighter ones were prone to discoloration and chipping over time.
• Tea kettles: Griswold made both cast iron and aluminum tea kettles. The aluminum kettles became popular due to their lighter weight, which led to the company producing other aluminum products, including frying pans and waffle irons.

Additionally, Griswold made cake molds in various forms, like rabbit, Santa Claus, and lamb shapes. Collectors should be aware of reproductions, which can be identified by their rougher texture and less precise lettering compared to the genuine Griswold molds.

Griswold also produced toy versions of their cookware to teach young girls how to cook like their mothers.

When it comes to maintaining Griswold pieces, methods for rust removal and cleaning have been shared, such as using a mixture of white vinegar and water for rust and a lye solution for heavily caked-on food residue. Once cleaned, the pieces should be seasoned with oil to ensure their continued usability in the kitchen.

Griswold Irons

In the midst of a vast Griswold collection, one can spot some unique and intriguing pieces. One such item is the hinge created by Seldon and Griswold, marking the beginning of the company. Though Griswold is widely known for cookware, their first product was actually this rare hinge featuring a patent date from 1866.

Griswold also manufactured sad irons, named for their solid metal make, rather than the emotions they might induce. These solid irons were heated on a stove and used with wooden handles for pressing clothes.

Some other unusual pieces include the metal Bolo Oven, an additional cooking space for baking goods, and the enameled cast iron cookware, which combined the benefits of cast iron with an attractive porcelain layer.

In addition to these, Griswold was known for their tea kettles, both in cast iron and aluminum. The company embraced the use of aluminum after Alcoa developed an affordable production method. They also produced cake molds and many other items, such as waffle irons and lard presses.

It is essential to properly care for Griswold cast iron pieces to keep them in good condition. Rusty or unclean pieces can be cleaned using a mixture of white vinegar and water or a lye solution. After cleaning, seasoning the cast iron with oil and baking it in the oven will ensure its future usability.

Bolo Oven

In the Watson Courtesy Mansion kitchen, an intriguing piece named the Bolo oven can be found. Bolo is an abbreviation for “big oven, little oven.” This versatile metal cooking device was designed to provide additional baking space when needed. It would be positioned on a wood stove or a coal-fired kitchen range, allowing users to have a separate oven compartment for baking goods like cookies, breads, or even cooking meats like chicken.

One interesting detail about the Bolo oven is that it can still be used today. Despite being an antique piece, it remains functional, as long as proper care is taken. Cast iron, the Bolo oven’s primary material, does not deteriorate over time when maintained correctly. This adds to its longstanding appeal.

In addition to cast iron products, Griswold also explored other materials, such as enamelware. These attractive pieces consisted of cast iron with porcelain coating and came in a range of colors. Unfortunately, the lighter enamels would often become discolored, and the porcelain was susceptible to chipping. Nonetheless, this technique is still utilized by companies today.

Enamelware Collection by Griswold

Standing in the Watson Courtesy Mansion kitchen, one can admire an impressive display of 116 pieces from Griswold’s enamelware range. The company started with the production of butt hinges, eventually expanding into cookware and a variety of other materials.

Some noteworthy pieces in this collection include:

• Sad Irons: These solid metal irons, also known as “solid irons,” were produced by Griswold. They would be heated on the stove, and a wooden handle could be transferred between the hot irons for efficient ironing.
• Bolo Oven: This portable metal oven could be placed on a wood stove or range in the kitchen, providing additional oven space for baking cookies, bread, or roasting chicken.
• Enamelware: Griswold also developed cast iron pieces with porcelain overlay, resulting in attractive and colorful enamelware. Light-colored items tended to become discolored, while darker-colored pieces remained visually appealing.
• Tea Kettles: The collection boasts two extraordinary tea kettles: a cast iron variant from the 1880s-1890s with a unique spider-web-and-skillet logo, and an aluminum version that gained popularity due to its lighter weight.
• Cake Molds: Griswold produced cake molds in various shapes, including rabbits, Santa Claus, and lambs. Be cautious of reproductions, as the authentic molds have a smooth finish and proper lettering.
• Toys: With an aim to familiarize young girls with cooking, Griswold also manufactured toy-sized versions of their cookware.

Caring for Griswold cookware involves proper cleaning and seasoning using white vinegar and water solutions for rust, or lye solutions for heavy, caked-on food residue. Seasoning is then done with mineral oil and Crisco, ensuring a clean and usable piece for cooking.

Griswold Tea Kettles

At the Watson Courtesy Mansion, there’s a fascinating Griswold exhibit displaying a variety of tea kettles and other cookware made by the company. Griswold was a pioneer in creating different types of cookware, offering unique products to its customers.

One of the prized possessions on display is a cast iron tea kettle from the 1880s to 1890s, featuring a spider web logo with a skillet-shaped spider and the word “Erie” on it. This logo is rarely seen and adds a touch of exclusivity to the piece.

Griswold also capitalized on the newfound affordability of aluminum, creating an aluminum tea kettle as well. Alcoa, a company in Pittsburgh, developed a cost-effective method for producing aluminum, and Griswold saw the opportunity to make a lighter kettle than their cast iron counterparts. They expanded their production of aluminum cookware to include frying pans and waffle irons as well.

The exhibit also showcases a selection of unique cake molds made by Griswold. One example is a charming bunny rabbit mold, but they also produced Santa Claus and lamb molds. However, it’s important to be cautious when buying these molds, as there are many reproductions on the market. Genuine Griswold molds have a smooth finish and well-defined lettering.

When it comes to maintaining Griswold cookware, there are a few tips for keeping them in good condition. To remove rust, one can use a vinegar and water solution, while a lye bucket can help with heavily caked-on food. After cleaning, the cookware can be seasoned with mineral oil and Crisco to create a non-stick surface. This level of care will ensure that treasured Griswold pieces can be passed down through generations and continue to be used in the kitchen.

The Rabbit Mold

During the growth of the Griswold company, they expanded into making various cookware materials and products, including cake molds. One such popular design was the Rabbit Mold, which was accompanied by other designs like Santa Claus and Lamb molds.

When searching for a genuine Griswold Rabbit Mold, it’s essential to be aware of reproductions in the market. A real Griswold piece can be identified by its smooth finish, particularly in areas like the small tabs sticking out. Reproductions typically have rough finishes and incorrect lettering.

Griswold also produced other unconventional items, like their Sad Irons and the Bolo Oven, as well as toys for children to emulate cooking like their parents. The company catered to a variety of needs while still maintaining its core focus on cast iron cookware.

To preserve and maintain Griswold pieces, proper cleaning and seasoning methods should be employed. For rusty items, a solution of white vinegar and water can be used for soaking, with steel wool to wipe away the rust. If the piece has caked-on residue, a lye solution can be used for cleaning. Seasoning the cleaned iron involves an oil coating and heating in the oven, ensuring a non-stick surface for future cooking. A well-maintained Griswold piece can easily become a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation.

Griswold Toys

The Griswold exhibit at Watson Courtesy Mansion displays an impressive collection of over 116 pieces, with a total of around 700 in their entire inventory. These pieces showcase the evolution of Griswold, from its earliest beginnings to its expansion into cookware and beyond.

Among the rare and unique pieces in the exhibit, one of the first products made by the company, Seldon and Griswold, was a hinge. Patented in February 1866, this hinge marked the start of the Griswold enterprise, which would eventually transition into making cookware.

One remarkable product created by Griswold is their sad iron – so-called not because of any emotional connotation, but due to “sad” being an Old English term for solid. These solid metal irons would be heated using a stove or another heating source, and their wooden handles could be easily detached and transferred between irons.

Another interesting piece is the bolo oven, made from metal. The word “bolo” is short for big oven, little oven, and the bolo oven provided additional oven space for cooking various dishes such as bread, cookies, or even chicken. Despite being an antique, cast iron pieces like the Griswold bolo oven can still be used today if properly maintained.

Griswold’s enamelware pieces, which combine cast iron with a porcelain overlay, are both beautiful and functional. Although the lighter colored enamel could become discolored or chipped over time, Griswold’s enamelware products remain an attractive option, and similar techniques are still employed by modern companies.

Their tea kettles provide another interesting glimpse into Griswold’s history. An 1880s model boasts an unusual logo featuring a spider web and skillet design. In contrast, a later aluminum model demonstrates the company’s expansion into new materials as they leveraged Pittsburgh-based ALCOA’s aluminum production breakthrough in lighter, more affordable kettle options.

Griswold also produced cake molds, such as their iconic bunny rabbit mold. However, buyers need to be cautious of reproductions, as authentic Griswold molds have a smooth finish and clear lettering, while reproductions tend to have rough finishes and distorted lettering.

Additionally, Griswold crafted toy versions of its cookware, aimed at teaching young girls the art of cooking, offering miniature pieces that mirror the adult-sized originals.

Cast Iron Care Guidance

In order to maintain and use Cast Iron cookware properly, it’s essential to take proper care of it. Here are some tips for keeping your Cast Iron in top condition:

Cleaning Rusty Cast Iron:

1. Prepare a solution of half white vinegar and half water.
2. Submerge the rusty Cast Iron piece in the solution for a couple of hours, checking on its progress periodically.
3. Remove the piece from the solution and scrub it with a steel wool pad to remove rust.
4. Rinse and dry the piece thoroughly before moving on to seasoning.

Cleaning Caked-On Cast Iron:

1. Create a large lye bath in a bucket using water and Red Devil lye. Be cautious when handling lye as it is corrosive and can cause irritation on skin or damage clothing.
2. Carefully place the dirty Cast Iron piece in the lye bath and leave it for several days or weeks, depending on the level of buildup.
3. Check on the piece periodically, ensuring all the buildup has been removed.
4. Rinse and dry the piece thoroughly before proceeding to seasoning.

Seasoning Cast Iron:

1. Apply a light coat of mineral oil to the cleaned piece and let it sit overnight.
2. Preheat your oven to 400°F – 450°F.
3. Remove the mineral oil from the piece and apply a thin layer of Crisco.
4. Place the piece in the preheated oven and allow it to bake for a couple of hours.
5. Turn off the oven and let the piece cool naturally within the oven.
6. Once cooled, the Cast Iron should have a clean, usable surface.

Cooking with Cast Iron:

1. Before cooking, apply a light layer of oil to the Cast Iron surface to prevent food from sticking.
2. Cook your desired dish, and afterwards, clean the Cast Iron gently in the sink without using any abrasive scrubbing materials.

These tips provide a great way to extend the life of your Cast Iron cookware and ensure that it remains a valuable part of your kitchen for generations to come.

Griswold Polishing and Quality

The innovative journey of Griswold started back in 1866, not with cookware but with butt hinges. Their first piece was a hinge created with care and attention to detail. This commitment to excellence is a fundamental part of the company’s identity and is evident in the range of products that followed, including cast iron cookware, aluminum tea kettles, and enamelware pieces.

One main aspect that sets Griswold cookware apart is the smooth, high-quality finish of their cast iron products. Even the small tabs on genuine Griswold items are smooth, unlike many of the reproductions which have rough edges. The cast iron items, if properly cared for, can last for many generations and be passed down through families.

In addition to their high-quality cast iron, Griswold also experimented with aluminum products after discovering a more affordable way to produce it. Their aluminum tea kettle was a huge success due to its lightweight nature. The company soon expanded its aluminum range to include frying pans and waffle irons.

Griswold’s dedication to innovation is further highlighted by the variety of cake molds they produced, such as bunny rabbits, Santa Claus, and lambs. These molds are often sought after by collectors, but it is crucial to look for the characteristic Griswold smoothness on genuine items to avoid purchasing reproductions.

Caring for your Griswold cookware is essential if you want it to last and remain in good condition. For rusty items, a mixture of white vinegar and water can be used to remove the rust. Be cautious not to leave the cast iron in this solution too long, as it might eat away at the iron. Cleaning caked-on, dirty pieces can be done using a lye bucket, though it is essential to wear protective gloves while handling the solution. After a thorough cleaning and seasoning, the Griswold cookware will look and perform like new, ready to be used for another generation.

Conclusion

In this section, we have explored some of the unique and rare pieces of the Griswold collection, ranging from the first hinge produced by Seldon and Griswold to a variety of cookware pieces such as sad irons, bolo ovens, and tea kettles. We have also seen that Griswold experimented with different materials, such as cast iron with porcelain overlay and aluminum.

Moreover, we’ve learned about some unusual items like cake molds – with a cautionary note on identifying reproductions – and toys that Griswold manufactured to engage young minds in the art of cooking. Finally, we have delved into the proper care and maintenance steps for preserving Griswold cast iron cookware, ensuring that these cherished pieces can be passed down through generations and continue to be used in everyday cooking.