Birmingham Stove & Range Cast Iron: Red Mountain vs. "Early" Century Cookware
Vložit
- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- There's some controversy in the cast iron community about identifying Birmingham Stove & Range pans from their Red Mountain series. A gray area exists between "late Red Mountain" era cast iron pans and "early Century Cookware" pans, and it can be difficult to tell which of your BS&R pans are from either of these periods. Of course, this matters the most to historians, perfectionists, and folks who are obsesed with cast iron -- like myself. Nonetheless, I hope this video provides some useful information to folks who own these great cast iron pans, which date anywhere from the 1940s to the 1960s.
This video is the result of research into a question that shows often on the cast iron groups: "Is this pan a 'late Red Mountain' or an 'early Century'?" This is my answer to that question, and what this video says can be considered a theory -- not absolute and verified truth. This is based on the 1954 "Century Cookware" catalog, which reveals some interesting information: namely, that catalog does not include a listing fora size #12 skillet. I don't know the reason why that particular pan is not included in the catalog. However, it's possible to make a reasonable guess (or I hope it's reasonable), and the result is this theory:
Why did BS&R rename their entire line from Red Mountain to Century Cookware? Obnviously it was a marketing move, done with the intention of increasing revenue. At that time they consolidated their catalog, and listed only the cast iron pieces they were producing at the time. This meant certain pieces had been discontinued, including the #12 skillet...and the #10 dutch oven, as well. Why were these pieces discontinued? The most likely reason would be those pieces didn't sell well enough. They were definitely producing the #14 skillet, and also the #12 dutch oven, and both of these pieces were listed in the catalog. But apparently they were not producing the #10 dutch oven and the #12 skillet.
However, in 1966 the company greatly expanded and began DISA automated production. This vastly increased their output and the number of pans they were producing increased exponentially. So, in order to fulfil their new increased production quota, the #12 skillet and #10 dutch oven were put back into production.
What does all of this means? I think it means the majority of #12 skillets and #10 dutch ovens being sold as "Red Mountain" are in fact Century pans, produced after automated production began in 1966. I'm not saying there are no pans of those sizes from the Red Mountain series out ther. Based on this theory, it leads to the conclusion that genuine Red Mountain #12 skillets and #10 dutch ovens were very rare.
Information about Birmingham Stove & Range cast iron: www.modemac.com...
Cast Iron Chaos on Facebook: / castironchaos
Cast Iron Chaos on Instagram: / ewmodemac
I suppose the new video can be considered part 2 of this video, because it also discusses the subject of "late Red Mountain" versus "early Century." czcams.com/video/m1xS9_KDcJw/video.html
I LUVVVVVVV this video CIC. Keeps your viewers sharp & on our toes.
I was very fortunate to have a very dear friend, give me every BSR I have, century, AND red mountain. They look amazing, and perform just as good! Love’em!!
Ricky D, you lucky duck. Tell you friend you want #3. No & inches, NO USA transformation piece, lol. Now that wasn't nice of me huh. I'm just kidding. But we Southerners do have them seriously. Won't hurt to ask them IF you are a serious collector, which I'm not.😂😂😂
Nice. Pay attention also if there is or isn't a lip around da top of da bowl. MOST OLDER Red Mountains (dont) but, some do. I just luvvvv da mystery of cast iron & the hours of research is soooo fun.
My only 2 BS&R skillets are Century series before the USA mark and they have the no. size, & the size in inches. All I know is they look great and cook better than they look. Thanks for the info
Niiiiice bingster. That AWESOME!!! That's da 1s I was referring Rick Stumbaugh about, NO USA. & yes, they are mules too. I luvvvv all 3 series. I'm a tuff ol bird which mean, ruff around da edges. I like yours & da regular series over Red Mtn. But luv em ALLLLL. Congrats, nice irons.
@cynthiawesley2318
Thanks, yeah I only purchase iron that I can cook with too. When you get them seasoned well they can also double as art pieces. I'm mostly a skillet fan. I have a modest collection maybe 35 pieces 31 skillets. My daughter just got me a Victoria Signature Series 12" skillet for my birthday I'm liking it so far.
@bingster-223 OoooOO WOW!!! She luv luv love her Dad. Congratulations to you. Im 98% vintage. I can't afford da booshee's lol. BUT, nor do I knock em. They are really nice but so is my Entergy Summer bill. Uggggh. I live in Louisiana so I chose AIRCONDITIONER or die. It gets DEATH HEAT here.
I love my Red Mountain skillet. It makes the best cornbread.
Hi eltee. Hope all is well. We haven't seen you on lives. Was hoping you're OK. TAKE care.
@cynthiawesley2318 yeah I'm good. I just haven't felt up to sitting in a live. But I've been lurking.
@elteescat Well that's good to hear, long as you're 👍🏼 ok.
@@cynthiawesley2318 🙂
Great information.. Now , let us get Lodge and other cast iron makers to begin putting year of manufacture on their products
😅good luck wit dat 1. Lol
That way our grand children will know pap was too cheap to buy Wagner or Griswold at a decent price.
@marksieber4626 Whyyyy? Frugal!!! Iron sharpens IRON. Don't make you a tight wod, in some cases, SMARTER. It's NOT da iron you use,,, it's da COOK in most cases. CIC & Luis J both use allll kinda cookware brands. Either you got IT, or you DON'T. It's all in da wrist-cook. & they both do good work-cooking.
@@cynthiawesley2318just messing with you.
@marksieber4626 That I know!!! I'm da class 🤡... I love fun & ppl. I don't take too much serious casting friend. Only money & family will I battle over lol. But I knew you were. Don't ya luv it? LOL
Thank you for sharing this info🎉🎉🎉
Quick question? ( not a BSR question ) I recently found a #12 AB&I skillet. ( so heavy! ) Was wondering if you knew when they stopped producing cookware. I thought I read their skillet production got stopped around 1983 because of their use of recycled engine blocks and transmissions . Thank you in advance. Your knowledge is unsurpassed! 🙂
Always a wealth of information!
Unfortunately you can't date bsr by "made in the USA" I've seen a new old stock set opened from a sealed box and some skillets in the set had "made in the USA" and some did not
Yes, I didn't realize this myself for a few years. See also: czcams.com/video/DTOhSK2bXQM/video.html
Our you referring to the #10 red mountain pan that sold, then the buyer was told it was a century series pan from another group? I was the seller of the 10 red Mountain . I have been collecting for over 6 years that was crazy thing to be caught up in. Before i say its a century that other group needs to prove with documents its a century. Good video maybe it will put this debate to rest with some people but i am sure not all.
I've learned dealing with fellow casters, it's GRE8T to have a sensible debate UNTIL it goes too far. I was taught as a child,,, IT'S OK TO AGREE & DISAGREE!!! But my personal note to SELF is learn WHEN TO SAY WHEN. I've learned quickly,,, EVERYBODY SEASONING METHOD is da right way, their FIRE burning iron is LAW, stupidly, & which type oils to use, & DATING IRON. Make a note of this & learn WHEN!!! Your iron is what (YOU) say it is.😂😂😂 Luv your comment.
@sherifelcher9258 I'm not pointing at anyone and saying they're wrong; especially because all we can do is put the clues together and come to a conclusion. This is one of those subjects that has caused arguments in the cast iron community, and I'm just weighing in and saying what I have to say about it. I was also surprised to discover the #12 skillet *and* #10 dutch oven were not in the "early Century" catalog.
@castironchaos NOT in da early catalog? That's interesting. Tkx for that too CIC. I'm here to soak in knowledge like an old history book. & I HATED HISTORY in school & now fascinated. Tkx again.
@@castironchaos i am sorry i was not applying that you were, this just recently happened and it was very heated subject with members, my #10 pan was the topic spurred by the buyers post. Until that post i did not realize there was such a issue with Red mountain and century. Not trying to spark anything.
Hello! I bought a bsr fish fryer.
It's says on the back 3052 D 2. I've seen a bunch online without the 2. Can you tell me what that all means please?
The fish fryer had a model number of 3052, and all of their pans produced after a certain year (I don't know what year) had that model number 3052. I would presume D2 is the mold ID number.
Can you help me identify my cast iron pan & lid? If I send pictures?