A Cast Iron Pan Is A Major Thrift Store Score - But Put It Back If It Doesn't Pass This Test

There are all kinds of kitchen essentials you can find at your local thrift shop, from plates and glasses to silverware and mugs. And as you sift through the piles of used cookware, you might be pushing aside the scratched non-stick pans in hopes of something heavier duty and more valuable — like an heirloom quality cast iron skillet to take home and restore to its former glory. But before you run to the checkout counter with that frypan in your arms, you should check if it sits flat.

Check the cookware to see if it passes that simple test, and if it doesn't, you might want to reconsider buying it from the thrift store. The problem with a cast-iron skillet that doesn't sit flat is that it won't heat food evenly, and it may spin during cooking, leading to spills. If your plans for the frypan include perfect omelets or pancakes on your electric range, you'll especially find yourself experiencing frustration with a wobbly skillet, as it will not sit flat on the burner.

There are a couple of easy ways to test the skillet to see if it sits flat and will cook as beautifully as you hope on your stove. The first way is to see if it spins. Warped cast-iron pans will spin if you nudge the handle, while even-bottomed ones won't. Another way is to place the frypan on a flat surface and wiggle the handle to see if it wobbles — those with even bottoms won't teeter. If you tried both those methods and aren't sure you're ready to pass, a final way to check for levelness is to take a credit card and place the edge of it on the cooking surface or bottom of the skillet. If the card is flush, you're good to go. If not, you have a wobbler on your hands.

However, even if a skillet has failed the spin test, it's worth checking the bottom to see if it's a revered brand. For example, certain cast-iron pans with the Griswold brand logo on the bottom are rare vintage kitchen items that may still be worth up to $100 as a collectible, even with a wobble. And be aware that if the bottom of the pan is only slightly warped, you can still use it on a gas stove without problems. You'll just need to keep an eye on your food to make sure it's cooking evenly. You can also use "spinners," as they're called by collectors, in your oven without having issues with uneven heating.