Martin Stove & Range Co. No. 14 Cast Iron Skillet

*Hamburger Logo Era | Heat Ring | 2-Finger Assist | SSC Museum Restoration*

Overview: A Southern Cast Iron Icon

The Martin Stove & Range Co. No. 14 cast iron skillet is one of the most iconic, massive, and sought-after vintage skillets in American cookware history. Produced in Florence, Alabama, between 1920 and 1950, this skillet is the crown jewel of the company’s “hamburger logo” line—named for the oval trademark stamped on the underside, which resembles a sandwich bun.

With a diameter of over 16 inches across the spouts and weighing approximately 10 to 12 pounds, the No. 14 was the largest standard production skillet Martin ever made. Featuring a pronounced heat ring, dual pour spouts, and an ergonomic two-finger assist handle, this piece is as functional as it is historically significant. Today, it is revered by collectors, historians, and Southern culinary enthusiasts alike.

Martin Stove & Range Co.: A Regional Legacy

Established in 1917 by W.H. and Charles Martin, the Martin Stove & Range Company rose from the ashes of the Florence Stove Foundry to become a respected name in Southern cast iron. The Martin brothers had previously worked at King Stove & Range in Sheffield and brought that experience to Florence, where they produced coal and wood stoves alongside a robust line of hollowware.

From the 1920s to the early 1950s, Martin cookware featured the raised oval "hamburger" logo on the base. Their hollowware was designed with practical features for stove-top use: heat rings, assist handles, and stable bases. Though Martin’s pieces were not polished as finely as competitors like Wagner or Griswold, they were beloved for their durability and functionality—a perfect fit for Southern homes and hardworking kitchens【50†source】.

The company ceased hollowware production in 1953 but continued manufacturing heating equipment as Martin Industries for decades afterward.

Specifications & Design Features

• Size: No. 14

• Top Rim Diameter (spout to spout): ~16 3/8"

• Top Rim Diameter (no spouts): ~15 1/4" to 15 1/2"

• Cooking Surface Diameter: ~13" to 13 1/2"

• Depth: ~2 1/4" to 2 1/2"

• Length (handle to assist): ~20" to 21"

• Weight: ~10 to 12 lbs

Key Features:

• Raised "hamburger logo": MARTIN / STOVE & RANGE CO. / FLORENCE. ALA.

• Functional heat ring for stability on wood/coal stoves

• Two pour spouts for left or right-handed use

• Two-finger assist handle for safer lifting

• Wide, stable cooking surface for family-style meals

Why Collectors Revere the No. 14

Among Martin enthusiasts, the No. 14 is the most coveted skillet size. These pans were produced in smaller numbers due to their size and expense and often saw years of hard use, which makes surviving examples in excellent condition rare.

This skillet is prized for:

• Its massive size and presence

• Iconic Southern foundry heritage

• Practical yet distinctive industrial design

• Collectible rarity within the Martin skillet set (sizes 3 through 14)

• Strong resale and archival value among cast iron collectors

Restoration & SSC Museum Preservation Process

This specific piece has been restored to museum-grade condition by Steve’s Seasoned Classics using the SSC archival protocol:

• Full chemical neutralization and degreasing

• Surface stabilization and seasoning with archival-grade oils

• Verified for flatness, structural integrity, and logo clarity

• SSC Archive Record: SSC-MAR-SKL-14-BURG-HR-2FA-001【50†source】

Condition Certification:

• ✅ No cracks or chips

• ✅ Sits flat; no wobble

• ✅ Fully seasoned and display-ready

• ✅ Structurally intact and historically accurate【50†source】

Culinary & Display Applications

• Roast a whole chicken, sear multiple steaks, or bake giant cornbread

• Serve as a statement piece in a collector’s display

• Use in historic cooking demos or Southern food exhibits

• Anchor a cookware timeline in a culinary museum

Despite its size, this skillet is still usable today—a testament to the longevity and craftsmanship of American cast iron.

Care & Use Best Practices

• Preheat slowly to avoid warping

• Always lift with both handles

• Never soak or use in a dishwasher

• Hand-wash only with hot water and a soft brush

• Dry thoroughly, then apply a light layer of oil after use