Antique cast iron cookware is hard to find these days, but if you run into a vintage Dutch oven, chances are Wagner Ware made it. The company was one of the leaders in the business until it closed its doors in the 1950s and sold the brand to another company. Some of their surviving products are still widely used by traditional chefs and amateurs in kitchens all over the US. Wagner cast iron Dutch ovens are known for their exceptional quality and extreme durability.
Best Wagner Cast Iron Dutch Oven Reviews
Wagner 1891 5-Quart Qt Round Dutch Oven Cast Iron Pot with Self Basting Lid
The Wagner series 1891 5-quart Dutch oven with self-basting lid is one of the brand’s newest and trendiest models. This line of products was released on the 100th anniversary of Wagner, so there are only a few left on the market. These are one of the latest iron Dutch ovens ever to come out of the factory.
Review
Wagner Ware was founded in 1891, so this is the line of Dutch ovens that were made to commemorate 100 years of Wagner Ware. It’s a trendy item for collectors because it’s rare, especially in this condition. The oven comes with a self-basting lid that is borrowed from another set, but the diameter fits and more importantly, the Dutch oven and lid combo. Moreover, it has the original loop handle and little signs of wear and tear. It’s made to last, just like the original Wagner Dutch ovens that were produced a century ago.
It has minor scratches on the outside of the main vessel, and the lid has small rusted spots on the bottom. It needs a little cleaning up and a new cost of seasoning, but there’s no reason why you couldn’t use this Wagner cast iron Dutch oven for many more years to come. The bottom is engraved with instructions for seasoning the oven, so you won’t have to figure it out for yourself. It’s a 5-quart oven you can use to cook meals for multiple people at once.
Given that this is a limited-edition Dutch over, the price is surprisingly affordable. It works on all heat sources, including stovetops and open fires so that you can use it indoors and outdoors. However, don’t use it on glass cooktops because its ruggedness may damage the glass.
Pros
- Replica of the first Wagner First Dutch
- Lid included
- Great shape
- Limited Edition
- Sizeable
Cons
- Small rust spots
- Needs re-seasoning
Wagner 1891 Cast Iron Dutch Oven Vintage 5QT. with Glass Lid
Dutch ovens and other cookware dating back to 1891 are hard to find as is, but finding one with an original glass lid is far rarer. A perfect replica of the original Wagner 5Q Dutch oven, this one is in excellent condition judging by the lettering on the bottom that looks almost brand new.
Review
Vintage 5qt Dutch ovens by Wagner Ware usually sold with a cast iron lid, but some of them came with a glass lid. Since they left the factory almost 130 years ago, your best chance of finding one would be the 100th anniversary reissue as you can see here. It comes with an original glass lid in near immaculate condition.
The pot measures 10 1/4″ in diameter and 4″ in depth. It’s perfect for cooking soups and stews and for baking bread and similar bakery items. The oven is used, but you can tell that the previous owners did a great job of cleaning and looking after it. The bail handle is fully operational, and it’s probably impossible to find another one in such excellent condition. The bottom of the Dutch oven has the Wagner seal, below which are instructions on how to season the pot.
There are no visible signs of damage on the vessel as well as the glass lid. The lid doesn’t have a single scratch on it, which is quite rare to come by. It’s an excellent pick for everyone who has a love for cooking their food in vintage cookware.
Pros
- Excellent condition
- No visible damage
- Original glass lid
- Original bail handle
- Seasoned
Cons
- Small amount of wear and tear
Wagner Ware Sidney -O- Cast Iron 1268J Dutch Oven with Rack
Wagner closed its doors in the first half of the 1950s and the brand was sold to Randall Company. This Wagner 1268 Dutch oven dates back to between 1935 and 1959. It’s one of the later models that are a little easier to find than the ones made before or right after the turn of the 20th century.
Review
This Dutch oven is pre-owned, and it has been used for decades. There are some signs of use, but not excessively when we are talking about a product that’s at least 60 years old. The lettering on the bottom has been almost erased from the many hours the oven spent on stovetops and fire pits.
The estimated production date of between 1935 and 1960 is based on the smooth base that was used for Wagner’s cast iron products at the time. The pot comes without a lid, but you’ll get a metal rack that fits perfectly inside the container, which also doubles as a trivet if needed. The seller is not sure if the rack is original but it came just like this when he purchased the pot. You can use it to make sure that your meat doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
There are some signs of aging you should know about. Both the inside and the outside have light scratches, and some of the smaller rust spots could use some scraping or an application of a capable rust remover spray. The pot measures 10-1/4″ in diameter and 4-1/4 inches in height. It’s perfectly flat and doesn’t wobble.
Pros
- Great antique pot
- Large
- Metal rack included
- Sits flat
Cons
- Light scratches and minor rust spots
1960 Wagner 10.5" Chicken Fryer & Lodge Dutch Oven No.7
If you like eating fried chicken prepared traditionally, this 3-piece 10.5″ chicken fryer by Wagner and Lodge is an ideal choice. It’s in pristine condition with little signs of wear and tear. You can use it the moment it arrives.
Review
The set contains three pieces, a Wagner No.8 deep skillet, a Lodge No.7 Dutch oven, and a No. 8 drip top lid that fits both pieces. That gives you a wide range of cooking options other than frying chicken. The overall condition is impressive, considering that the set is almost 60 years old. There are small signs of wear and tear after decades of use, but they don’t affect the taste or the cooking process.
All of the pieces fit one into another to form a nested set (collectors of Russian Matryoshka dolls can’t afford to miss out on this one). The deep skillet works as a standalone piece, and you can use it to fry eggs, make pancakes, bake bread, grill cheese sandwiches, and much more. You will probably be using it the most because it’s universal and versatile.
The Dutch oven, on the other hand, is even deeper, and it’s ideal for all types of traditional cooking. The lid has a large loop style handle for easy maneuvering and a secure grip. All of the pieces have been fully restored and re-seasoned by the seller. It’s an affordable set for every vintage cookware collector or traditional chef.
Pros
- 3 pieces
- Great shape
- Re-seasoned
- Ready for use
Cons
- Small wear and tear
- Rust spots
Wagner Hammered Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Thermometer Cover
If you already own a Wagner cast iron Dutch oven, but you don’t have a matching lid, this hammered cast lid with a built-in thermometer should be on your radar. It’s an original lid that will make your cooking easier.
Review
You don’t come across vintage lids with a built-in thermometer that often, especially those made by Wagner. Back in the day, this used to be a high-tech lid cover designed to simplify the cooking process. The thermometer allows you to check on the temperature inside the oven without opening it. That’s useful because it saves time, but it’s also safer as you won’t have to grab the scalding hot lid.
Wagner’s hammered products were not that common even when they were new. Now, decades later, finding a lid with a working thermometer is like finding a needle in a haystack. The thermometer reads temperatures up to 500 degrees, so you can use it in ovens and open fires. It’s hard to find and widely considered a collectible item.
The lid is in fantastic shape with little signs of wear and tear. It’s got some scratches and minor pitting on the underside, but that won’t affect your cooking in any way. It’s an excellent piece of vintage cookware for every traditional chef.
Pros
- Rare
- Built-in thermometer
- Affordable
- Preserved
Cons
- Minor pitting
- Scratches
Final Verdict
You can’t be a serious collector of antique cookware without at least one Wagner cast iron Dutch oven. The products we reviewed are all in excellent condition, and the first two ovens were perfect replicas of the original Wagner. These are some rare vintage Wagner cast iron pieces that will disappear from the market in no time at all. They come at affordable prices, so if you’re into vintage cookware, they will be a nice treat for your kitchen and collection.