8″ heart-design waffle iron with low base by Western Importing Co.

Posted on by July 13, 2013

Won on March 21, 2013 for $36.00 plus shipping of $12.00 from Johnk5546 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

His ebay ad read: 8″ Western Importing Co. rosette/heart shaped design cast iron waffle iron with a low base (also by Western Importing of Minneapolis and New York) in very good condition, seasoned and ready for use. One side of the waffle iron is marked 999 and the other side has 981. The base has 975 WI Co. There were no handles on the waffle iron, so I personally hand carved a couple of pieces from some sinker cypress. Handles may not be pretty but they are functional.”

In a later message he responded: “It came from an estate sale in the French Quarter, from a very old building on St. Louis St.  It seemed like an old family homestead and some member of the family was probably living there until recently. It was the second or third building from the corner of Rampart on the Esplanade Ave. side of the street, not the Canal St. side. It was a three story building.”

It was manufactured by Griswold for Western Importing from 1920 – 1930.

Heart-Shaped Waffle Iron inside both halves Heart-Shaped Waffle IronTop Heart-Shaped Waffle Ironsupport ring Heart-Shaped Waffle Iron support ring manu nos Heart-Shaped Waffle Iron side iso

 

Dutch Oven No. 12

Posted on by July 13, 2013

We bought this DO in an antique shop in Ponchatoula Louisiana about 2002.

  • The lid’s handle is tapered from large (with a button) on one side to smaller on the other.
  • There are self-basting nipples in a evenly spaced grid pattern and extended lips on both sides to cover the two pour spouts.
  • Marks on the bottom are:

12
DO

MADE IN USA

D

The Cast Iron Collector says:

Birmingham Stove & Range Co. – Birmingham, AL
All BSR
–    If heat ring, unbroken and inset. — [Yes]
–    Lids have pour spout “ears”, even those supplied with dutch ovens. [Yes]

and

Lodge Manufacturing Co. – South Pittsburg, TN

1930s
–    ¾” high size number at 12 o’clock  [Yes]
–    Lids have grid of pointed tips for basting drippers. [Yes]

1940s-1960s¹
– Inset heat ring with 3 notches at 9/12/3 o’clock. — [No, the heat ring is not broken]
– Later, letters denoting pan type, e.g. “SK” skillet, “DO” dutch oven [Yes]
– Lids have grid of pointed tips for basting drippers, size number and diameter or pan capacity incised on underside [Yes]

After ca. 1960
“Made In USA” added at center [Yes]

I conclude it is a 1930’s Lodge based on:

  • the grid pattern of the basting nipples
  • the size and position of the size of the  CO
  • The “DO” below the size
  • the MADE IN USA in the center
  • the bottom looks just like the bottom of the skillet linked to the Lodge After ca. 1960 category.
  • BUT – The lid has the pour spout ears…???

Dutch Oven No. 8 no name

Posted on by May 26, 2024

This DO was one I had that may have been by a “previous life”. The DO:

  • has bail ears just like Griswold’s have;
  • has with an 8 in the lid;
  • belong to Gail and will be Jeff’s;
  • was severely caked so we cleaned it in an electrolysis tank and re-seasoned it.

No. 6 Griswold Skillet large block logo

Posted on by November 2, 2013

No. 6 GRISWOLD Skillet large block logo. Won on Ebay on March 10, 2013 for $34.77 with shipping for $10.00 from Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Bought from schildty231.

Given to Kelley on 7/12/13 on her 29th birthday.

No 6 GRISWOLD CAST IRON SKILLET top No 6 GRISWOLD CAST IRON SKILLET bottom

Simple Black Beans

Posted on by June 17, 2017

Ingredients

1/2 pound dried black beans
1 medium onion, roughly chopped

3 fresh garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Shake of red pepper flakes

2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Chopped scallions, for garnish

Directions

Put beans into boiling water and turn off to sit and let the sugars come out. Rinse, add water and bring to a boil. Simmer covered for 30 minutes. Add onion and simmer 30 minutes more. Add the garlic, oregano, cumin, and red pepper flakes, and simmer uncovered. Add sugar and vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Serving garnished with chopped green onions.

Inspired by Melissa d’Arabian’s “Perfect Black Beans”.

Waffle Iron Favorite Piqua Ware No 8

Posted on by August 3, 2013

Won on Ebay February 17, 2013 for $74.59 plus $14.85 shipping from Springfield, Missouri. Sold by dukescast; aka Randy@mchsi.com.  Pronounced pic-waa.

I emailed the seller asking about any history he might know about the piece.  Randy’s response fits with the iron arriving with the Oklahomian newspaper packing dated 1991. He said:

I would love to tell you all about the history of the waffle iron you purchased however I’m somewhat limited, there was an estate sale in Oklahoma city of a buyer who collected waffle irons over a period of 4o years.  I was asked to bid and won 230 of them, electric, cast iron, all kinds shapes and sizes. Being a cast iron collector myself, I’ve picked off the ones I didn’t already have and am trying to sell off the extras, (would love to keep them all, just no room) if you go to GCICA.org, our cast iron club page, there are some good tips on cleaning and seasoning also a link to our Facebook page where all of us cast iron cookware nuts hang out to discuss everything about cast iron. We would love for you to Join the room.

If i can be of any further assistance, feel free to email randy at mchsi com or call at 417 766 4618
Kindest Regards
Randy Young

A photo of original  wood handles is here.

waffle iron riser side waffle iron top1 waffle iron top2 waffle iron left side waffle iron open waffle iron right side waffle iron riser handle no 88

What is a scotch bowl?

Posted on by February 16, 2013

Scotch bowls were made to be hung over a fire in order to cook broth or porridge. Both are dishes that need to be stirred constantly which is why they have rounded bottoms and no lids. They were made of cast iron in many different sizes. From Answers.

For an Authentic recipe for  scotch broth and a little history click here.