Birmingham Stove and Range

Founded in 1902 in Birmingham, Alabama, the Birmingham Stove & Range Company (BSR) became one of the most successful and recognizable cast iron manufacturers in the United States. For nearly a century, BSR produced skillets, Dutch ovens, chicken fryers, griddles, cornbread and gem pans, biscuit pans, kettles, and a wide variety of cast iron cookware trusted by generations of home cooks.

BSR cookware is celebrated for its high-quality iron, smooth cooking surfaces, excellent heat retention, and lighter weight compared to many modern cast iron pieces. Their cookware was built to withstand everyday use, earning a reputation for durability, reliability, and outstanding performance in the kitchen.

Among its most iconic designs is the famous round cornbread skillet, often called the “Million Dollar Pan.” This unique pan was never formally patented—only marked with “patent pending”—yet it became one of the most beloved and sought-after pieces ever produced by BSR. Its clever design, perfect cornbread sections, and unmatched cooking performance turned it into a legend among cast iron collectors, even without a finalized patent ever being granted.

Production of cast iron cookware continued until 1992, when the company ceased manufacturing after changing ownership and facing increased competition from imported cookware and shifting market demands.

Though the foundry is long gone, Birmingham Stove & Range lives on through its cookware. These pieces are still cooking meals, baking cornbread, and being passed down through families today—valued not just as tools, but as lasting symbols of American craftsmanship and everyday tradition.