Acquiring a vintage indian head cast iron skillet with a garage purchase is a great deal like finding the signed first-edition publication or even a rare plastic record—it's that "lightning within a bottle" time for anybody who loves old kitchenware. I actually remember the very first time We saw one in person. It wasn't at a fancy antique shopping mall but sitting inside a crate of rustic junk. The profile of the Local American chief on the bottom has been barely visible via layers of crusty, carbonized grease, yet I knew exactly what it was. There's just some thing about this specific logo that makes a collector's heart skip the beat.
Exactly what Is the Cope with Wapak?
If you aren't a total nerd about vintage iron, you might be wondering which even made this stuff. The indian head cast iron skillet was the flagship product of the Wapak Hollow Ware Company, centered out of Wapakoneta, Ohio. They were around from regarding 1903 to 1926. While big names like Griswold plus Wagner were busy trying to make every single pan perfectly uniform and polished, Wapak had a bit more of a "wild west" vibe for their production.
Wapak pans are known for their character. These people aren't always ideal. You'll often discover casting flaws, little pits, or wavy lines on the particular surface. But truthfully? That's why people love all of them. They feel hand made. They think that they have a story to inform. The "Indian Head" logo is usually their most famous mark, and today, it's one of the most sought-after styles in the world of cast iron collecting.
Why the Indian Head Logo Is Unique
There are usually a few various versions of the particular logo, but the particular most common one particular features a detailed profile of a Native American key in a full feathered headdress. It's strikingly beautiful. When you compare it to a modern pan that just has a brand name stamped on the bottom, the artistry of the Wapak logo really stands out.
What's awesome (and a bit weird) is that Wapak was known with regard to being a bit "thrifty" with their own molds. They frequently bought old, thrown away molds from other companies like Griswold. These people would fill within the logos and slap their own on top. For this reason, many an indian head cast iron skillet functions what collectors contact "ghost marks. " If you look closely at the back of the pan, you can sometimes see the faint outline of the Griswold logo underneath the Wapak chief. It's like a piece of industrial archaeology best within your kitchen.
Cooking with Vintage Iron vs. Modern Pans
I actually get asked all the time if these old cookware actually cook much better than the ones a person can buy in a big-box store nowadays. The short answer? Yeah, they really do.
Contemporary cast iron, such as the stuff Lodge can make (which is excellent for the price, don't get me wrong), has a pebbly, rough texture. That's because they are sand-casted and after that sold without much polishing off. A vintage indian head cast iron skillet , however, has been tumbled and polished until the cooking surface was as clean like a skating rink.
When you get a great seasoning on the Wapak, it's virtually non-stick. You are able to slip an over-easy egg across that surface like it's on a layer associated with air. Plus, classic iron is nearly always lighter than the modern stuff. Carrying a 10-inch Wapak feels the lot less like a workout compared to carrying a modern equal. Your wrists will certainly definitely thank you after a morning associated with flipping pancakes.
Spotting the Reproductions and Reproductions
Because the indian head cast iron skillet is therefore valuable, there are many fakes floating around. It's a bummer, yet you've got in order to be careful. Back in the 70s and 80s, a lot of "reproduction" cookware hit the market.
Here's a quick tip: if the logo looks too perfect or if the iron feels incredibly weighty and thick, end up being suspicious. The real deal has really fine, crisp details in the headdress, set up rest associated with the pan has its own casting wobbles. Also, look out regarding "Made in USA" stamps. In case a skillet says "Made within USA, " it's likely not a Wapak from the early 1900s, as that will labeling wasn't standard back then. Genuine Wapaks usually just have the logo design and a size number.
One more dead giveaway for the fake is a "sand-blasted" look. In case the whole skillet feels like good sandpaper, it's possibly a modern knock-off. Original units were smooth, also on the outside.
The Different Dimensions and Their Rarity
Wapak produced these skillets in various sizes, generally ranging from a tiny number two up to a massive number 12. Should you ever stumble across a number 2 indian head cast iron skillet , you might want to purchase a lottery solution next. These are incredibly rare and can sell for thousands associated with dollars.
The particular most common types you'll find are the number 8s. That was the typical size for most households back in the day—perfect with regard to frying up a chicken or creating a batch of cornbread. Even a typical size in good condition can certainly established you back $200 to $400 depending on how apparent the logo is. It's some an investment, but in contrast to a non-stick pan that you'll throw away in three many years, this skillet will literally last intended for centuries if you don't drop it upon a concrete flooring.
How in order to Take care of Your Prize
If you're fortunate enough to own an indian head cast iron skillet , please, for the like of all issues holy, don't put it in the dishwasher. I know, I know—everyone says that—but it's very true for these vintage beauties. Harsh detergents can remove away decades of seasoning, and the particular high heat can really warp the thin vintage iron.
I usually give me mine a fast rinse with hot water and also a rigid brush. If something is really trapped on there, a little bit associated with coarse salt functions wonders as a scrub. Dry this immediately on the stove over low warmth, rub in the small drop of grapeseed oil or Crisco, and it'll stay happy forever.
People be concerned about rust, nevertheless as long because you keep this dry and oiled, rust won't stand an opportunity. And if you do discover it that's a little bit rusty? Don't sweat it. Cast iron is incredibly strong. A soak in a vinegar bath or a while in an electrolysis container can bring even the crustiest Wapak back to life.
Is It Worth the Price Tag?
At the end of the day, you have in order to ask yourself in the event that spending a few hundred bucks on an old baking pan is sensible. Intended for some, it's only a tool. But intended for others, the indian head cast iron skillet will be a functional item of American history.
There's a certain soul to pans that will you just don't get with contemporary cookware. When I'm using mine in order to sear a meat on a Sunday night, I like to think regarding the families that used it hundreds of years ago. It's survived world wars, the truly amazing Depression, and probably thousands of family breakfasts.
So, in the event that you ever notice that unmistakable main logo peeking away from under a few dust at the flea market, don't hesitate. Grab this, clean it upward, and get cooking. It might simply end up being the favorite point in your kitchen area, just like this did in quarry. There's nothing quite like the weight, the particular history, as well as the pure coolness of the Wapak in your hand.