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Before cast iron was a commodity, it was a craft. This skillet comes from that era.
This exceptional Favorite Piqua Ware #9 cast iron skillet was produced in Piqua, Ohio between approximately 1916 and 1935, during the golden age of American cookware—when foundries competed on precision, metallurgy, and skill rather than branding or output. Favorite Stove & Range Company was one of the premier Midwestern manufacturers of this period, and their pre-1935 cookware is widely regarded by collectors and serious cooks as among the finest ever produced.
This example illustrates why.
Weighing 4.11 pounds and measuring approximately 11.25 inches wide by 2.5 inches deep, this skillet is notably lighter and more finely cast than many comparable #9 skillets from the era. The sidewalls are thin, even, and consistent—clear evidence of high-quality sand molds and careful pouring. The interior cooking surface retains its original foundry texture, resulting in a silky-smooth surface achieved by craftsmanship, not mechanical grinding.
The bottom is dead flat, verified on a glass surface—an increasingly rare and highly desirable trait in antique cast iron of this size. The underside bears a crisp, correct casting mark: “FAVORITE / PIQUA / WARE / 9,” identifying it as pre-Griswold production, before Favorite was absorbed by Griswold in 1935 and manufacturing methods changed.
Unlike later mass-produced cookware, this skillet was sand-cast by hand. Each piece required precise mold preparation, controlled iron composition, and careful cooling. Any flaw—warping, cold shuts, inclusions—meant rejection and remelting. Surviving examples like this represent successful pours from a process where error was common and perfection was not guaranteed.
Condition is excellent throughout. The skillet has been properly cleaned and seasoned, is ready for immediate use, and shows no cracks, repairs, or structural issues. The geometry remains true, the handle well balanced, and the casting quality exceptional. Interior wear is consistent with light, honest use and preserves the integrity of the original surface.
Many experienced users consider Favorite Piqua Ware superior to many Griswolds in real-world performance, citing lighter weight, finer casting, and better balance. This skillet exemplifies that reputation. It is equally at home in a serious collection, a working kitchen, or a historical display illustrating early 20th-century American manufacturing.
This is not merely cookware—it is a functional artifact from the peak of American cast iron production, made when skill mattered, mistakes were costly, and quality was non-negotiable.
Pieces like this are increasingly scarce, and truly flat, finely cast examples are becoming harder to find each year.
“Collector Highlights”
Pre-Griswold Favorite Piqua Ware production (circa 1916–1935)
#9 size — highly sought-after and practical
4.11 lb — excellent weight for size
Dead flat on glass
Silky smooth original foundry surface
Thin, even sidewalls
Crisp bottom stamping
No cracks, no repairs, no warping
Cleaned, seasoned, and ready to cook
