Miami cast iron is a lesser-known brand of vintage iron cookware from the early 20th century by Favorite Stove and Range. However, this does not mean that ironware is more scarce or less relevant in history. Therefore, this article intends to help Miami skillet owners better know their vintage ironware. And I hope also to assist those looking to purchase a skillet with a few buying considerations.
Table Of Contents
- Who Made Miami Cast Iron?
- How old is my Miami Skillet?
- Logo Variations
- Is Miami Cast Ironware Any Good?
- Available Sizes
- Is Miami Cast Iron Collectible?
- Purchasing Considerations
- Miami skillets are great everyday useable pans.
Owners And Collectors Guide To Miami Cast Iron Skillets.
Who Made Miami Cast Iron?
The Favorite Stove and Range Company manufactured Miami cast iron cookware. The company was a large manufacturer of cast iron cookware and was well respected within the industry and among consumers. Favorite Stove and Range produced a wide range of iron cookware, including Miami skillets.
Miami cast iron skillets were an entry-grade product catering to families with budgetary constraints. Lower-priced products proved popular, as Griswold Manufacturing, Wagner Manufacturing, and the Wapak Hollow Ware Company also offered lower-priced cookware to consumers.
Learn about the Griswold economy brand called Victor by clicking the link.
How Old Is My Miami Skillet?
Collectors can not precisely pinpoint the manufacture of Miami cast iron. Along with the Favorite Piqua Ware range, all Miami ironware is circa 1916 and 1935. However, collectors consider the standalone diamond logo older than the dual logo.
Some enthusiasts or retailers may estimate the standalone Miami logo to be circa the 1920s and the dual logo to be circa the 1930s. These dates may be accurate, but without certainty, many collectors will identify the standalone Miami as the early logo. And call the diamond plus smiley logo the dual logo, estimating both logos circa 1916-1935.
Logo Variations
As mentioned previously, there are two known Miami logos. The Diamond Miami logo is also called the early logo. And the Diamond Miami plus Smiley Favorite Piqua Ware. This logo is known as the Dual logo or double logo among collectors.
Correctly identify your Miami skillet logo by referring to the graphics below.
Miami Diamond Logo
Dual/Double Logo
Is Miami Cast Ironware Any Good?
If you have a piece of Miami cast iron, you should be delighted with the quality and finish of the skillet. Favorite Stove and Range manufactured your skillet with the same care and expertise as their standard cookware.
And it is not uncommon to see Miami cast iron with the same super-smooth cooking surface comparable to Griswold and Wagner Ware.
But skillets will have slightly shallower sidewalls compared to regular skillets. After all, it was the lower-tiered economy option.
Available Sizes
Miami skillets and other economy and store bands come in limited sizes. And they tended to be the more popular sizes of the time. They are as follows.
| Sizes Numbers | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Miami Diamond | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
Dual Logo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Is Miami Cast Iron Collectible?
Miami cast iron skillets are collectible pieces of vintage/antique ironware. However, the Miami cast iron is not scarce or as sought-after among collectors. Wagner, Griswold, Favorite Pique Ware, and Wapak have better collectibility, so Miami skillets hold value.
A lower price could offer an entry point to purchase your vintage skillet. And this would be as Favorite Stove and Range originally intended. But if you are selling a Miami skillet, do not expect Griswold prices because it’s not a Griswold.
Purchasing Considerations
Before buying a Miami skillet, carefully inspect the ironware for imperfections. By checking the pan, you can better negotiate a fair price and avoid overpaying and disappointment.
I would not overlook a vintage pan due to imperfections and expect scratches and standard wear over time. But there are a few considerations that will affect the price.
Logo clarity | Collectors prefer a logo with little imperfections. Slight imperfections are only superficial if you are using your skillet daily. |
Logo Variation | A slight preference is given to the dual logo because it includes the favored smiley logo. However, there is no difference in quality between the two logo variations. |
Pitting | Pitting or sulfur damage is not uncommon and will not affect the usability of the skillet. But it will lower the collectibility and value of the pan. |
Flatness | Does the pan sit flat? I won’t overlook a pan if it has a slight wobble. But expect to pay less if the pan has noticeable movement. |
Overall Condition | You should expect scratches and other wear unless you buy a fully restored pan. Many pans this age will have slight pitting on the back. But check for hairline cracks, as this can be a potential fire hazard |
Miami skillets are great everyday useable pans.
I hope you have gained further insight into your Miami cast iron skillet. As with any vintage cast iron, I encourage owners of heirloom pieces to hold on to their family heritage if they can.
Miami cast iron is not as valuable or collectible as other brands, but they are still fine pieces of ironware. And the skillets will make great daily users and conversation pieces. Finding a Miami skillet at a fair price and in good condition, I certainly would not turn it down.
