CHF/Favorite, Chicago Hardware Foundry, Favorite Cookware, No. 5, Cast Iron Skillet, Vintage Cookware, Hard deals to Find
This is a beautiful and extremely rare No. 5 cast iron skillet made by Chicago Hardware Foundry shortly after they acquired Favorite Stove and Range Company in 1934. This is such an unusual piece, and a must have for any cast iron collection. Favorite Stove and Range Company was based out of Piqua, Ohio, and was founded in 1889. Chicago Hardware Foundry acquired the patterns and tooling from the defunct Favorite Stove and Range Company in 1934, and in 1938, a labor strike gave rise to a riot. There is a lot of interesting history to this piece, and it is extremely rare. This skillet is used but in good condition. There are no cracks or major flaws, although there is a tiny casting flaw just above the 5I stamp. It has a very slight rock on a flat surface*, but it should not affect the performance of the pan. This skillet has been stripped and double-seasoned with grape seed oil, and it is ready to use! With proper care, cast iron can last for generations, and often they become cherished family heirlooms. This also makes a wonderful gift for any occasion!
Product Information:
Weight: 2 lb 4.0 oz
Size: No. 5 skillet, approx. 7.5” diameter pan
Our cast iron is fully stripped, cleaned, seasoned and ready to use! Depending on the condition of the piece, we use a lye bath to strip the old seasoning off of the pan, and an electrolysis bath to remove rust. Then it is double re-seasoned on the outside with triple seasoning on the cooking surface. We only use grapeseed oil, which provides a wonderful finish for those wishing to avoid animal-based products (vegetarian friendly). Smoother pieces will show a shine on some of the images or appear wet. This is due to multiple seasonings and the temperature they are seasoned at. It's important to note that antique cast iron cookware is used, and pieces generally show wear marks such as minor utensil scratches which are testament to years of household cooking. Also with some pans, it is very common to see tiny little casting errors that can resemble pits. But these are caused by the casting process and do not generally affect the performance of the piece. Our restoration allows the immediate use of the cast iron, but proper care after purchase helps ensure the piece will continue to perform well and last for generations to come!
*Most antique cast iron has a tendency to develop slight rocks or wobbles over time through normal use. This is due to exposure to high heat over the years from use over direct flame such as gas stoves, or over wood/coal fired stoves. Generally, this does not affect the performance of the piece, but might be noticeable when placed on a glass cook top. Vintage cast iron was not designed for glass cook tops, but nonetheless often works very well on them. We have tested this piece on a quartz countertop surface, and it does exhibit a slight rock or wobble. Therefore, if used on a glass top stove, you will likely notice it. Depending on the model of your range, it may not be a problem at all. Induction generally works whether the pan is completely flat or not, as long as the warp isn't significant (more than a few cm). If you are concerned, we recommend checking with your manufacturer in advance of purchase.
All purchases of $35 or more include free ground shipping within the United States! We generally ship either via USPS or Fedex Home Delivery. We package our products with care, so you can purchase with confidence! Tracking information will emailed to you once it has shipped, so feel free to contact the carrier directly if you have any questions about the status or location of your package. To help ensure the deals secure delivery of packages, we highly recommend buyers have their shipments delivered to safe locations such as a business or shipping store if the recipient cannot be there to receive their package. If you live outside the United States, please contact our shop prior to purchase for a shipping estimate.