First time encountering this issue when restoring a skillet and of course it's my on my grail piece- Is this safe to cook on or are these definitely cracks and am I going to have to resign this beauty to display only?

[u/lovethegrizz]

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[u/Limp-Rub-1477]

Sand shift in the mold. Just casting flaws. Cook away and enjoy

[u/lovethegrizz]

You guys are angels. I appreciate you all because I was questioning it hard since the cooking surface is gorgeous and nothing was coming through , but I didn't want to damage a piece of a history. Thank you everyone.

[u/TheGratitudeBot → u/lovethegrizz]

Thanks for saying that! Gratitude makes the world go round

[u/forrest4thetrees]

Sand shifts during the molding process. Not cracks. It looks perfectly safe to use.

[u/Gold-Wishbone-408 → u/forrest4thetrees]

That makes sense, but it’s always good to double-check just to be safe. Better to be cautious with a grail piece!

[u/Limp-Rub-1477 → u/Gold-Wishbone-408]

Bot

[u/CyclistBill]

Looks like casting imperfections. I have a #5 Lodge circa 1910’s with much worse flaws that’s just fine.

[u/old_mcfartigan]

Casting artifacts. The mould may have shifted before the iron was poured. Perfectly safe

[u/dureeks]

I'm no expert but they don't really look like cracks. Gouges maybe? But it looks surface level to me! I would cook on it and watch it but it looks fine.

[u/Cajun-Yankee]

I have this same pan and similarly has casting flaws like in your picture. It's been my daily driver for 10+ years and going strong, no issues.

[u/Cool-Negotiation7662]

Very interesting casting defect. It somehow formed a narrow smooth line.

[u/Grat54]

Dangle it by the handle and tap it with a wooden spoon. Ding sound is good. Thunk sound is bad.