Odd cast iron pan

October 17, 2015 7:02 PM

Any idea what this old cast iron pan was used for? It has eight shallow oval depressions in it, and I have no idea what would have been made in them.

It belonged to my grandmother, and could have been purchased anytime from 1950 to 1980, most likely.

posted by Pater Aletheias to Grab Bag (12 answers total)

Best answer: Looks like a form of cornbread pan.
posted by WasabiFlux at 7:06 PM on October 17, 2015 [2 favorites]

Well, someone else Is also trying to find out the same thing.
posted by Liesl at 7:09 PM on October 17, 2015

Best answer: It's a "gem" pan for cornbread or muffins.
posted by bcwinters at 7:10 PM on October 17, 2015 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: Well, you guys are awesome. Thanks!
posted by Pater Aletheias at 7:13 PM on October 17, 2015

I have a similar pan, identification was made easier by the fact that the depressions are shaped like a corn cob (including kernels)...
posted by HuronBob at 6:15 AM on October 18, 2015

Best answer: Regarding the gem pan that bcwinters linked to: In the picture of the underside of the pan, you can see a "gate" mark on the top left well. Before cast iron production moved to factories in the early 1900s, pieces were made singly in molds. When the pan was cut from the mold, that gate mark was left behind. If your piece has a gate mark like the one in that picture, it is from the 1800s (which would be very, very cool).

Here's some more info on gem pans.

"Cornstick" pans, like the one HuronBob refer to, came along a little later and were mostly made by the well-known manufacturers: Griswold, Lodge, Wagner, Birmingham Stove & Range. (They're easier to identify not just because of the kernels, but because they also probably have some makers' marks.) They mostly replaced the gem-type pans like the one you have. I mention this because even if your grandmother bought it between 1950 and 1980, it is likely quite a bit older than that.
posted by mudpuppie at 9:53 AM on October 18, 2015 [1 favorite]

You could make little hand pies in it.
posted by Oyéah at 10:47 AM on October 18, 2015

Response by poster: I mention this because even if your grandmother bought it between 1950 and 1980, it is likely quite a bit older than that.

I was guessing on those dates, 1950 being when she married. It occurs to me that there's no reason to rule it it being something older she inherited. Next job: get a closer look at it and try to figure out when it was made.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 12:45 PM on October 18, 2015

Response by poster: Okay, got a look at the bottom. No gate mark, just a raised number "2". Look like it's one of these:

Raised Number Gem Pans

You may see gem pans of the Waterman/R&E design that have no information inscribed on them except for a raised size number on the bottom of one handle. Although apparently older and of reasonable quality, who made these pans and when is not totally clear.

So the trail ends there for now.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 1:29 PM on October 18, 2015

One easy dating trick that I forgot to mention: If it's marked "Made in USA" (or any other country), it was made after 1960. If not, it's pre-1959.
posted by mudpuppie at 1:39 PM on October 18, 2015

Response by poster: The only mark is that "2." So pre-'59, I guess. That doesn't surprise me.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 4:10 PM on October 18, 2015

My mother had one of these, and a cast-iron muffin pan, as well. The former was used to bake "footballs" and the latter, "baseballs". I think your basic cornbread recipe will do fine, for the batter.
posted by Rash at 9:35 PM on October 18, 2015