question about raised line across bottom of Griswold #8

[Jeff Pyron]

Hi I love this site as a resource and had a couple of questions about this Griswold slant #8
1. It has a raised line that goes 1/2 -3/4 across the middle. You can feel the line. Is this just a defect from the factory? Specifically a sag? Or is this tied to fire damage etc?
2. When I pulled it out of the vinegar bath there was splotches in the middle that were red. Is this heat/fire damage? It matches up with the pitting and I’m assuming its not just rust as I ran it through an e-tank for a couple of days and two 30 minute vinegar baths. It really only shows while the vinegar is on it
Finally, would you consider it safe to cook with or should it be display only?
Thanks !

 

[Doug D.]

It's known as a sand shift or sag. Something happened inside the sand mold either prior to or during casting. Apparently, they either sometimes got by QC or weren't deemed significant enough to reject. Same as seen here: https://www.castironcollector.com/forum/threads/8-wapak-with-casting-flaw.9662/

 

[Jeff Pyron]

Thanks Doug. That helps.
Follow up question
when I pull it out of the vinegar bath it has that dark reddish color around the middle where its most pitted. Is that fire/heat damage?

 

[Doug D.]

Probably not. Fire damage is normally a dusty rosey-red color along with areas with a white or bluish caste.

 

[Jeff Pyron]

Thanks! I'll try evaporust on it and see if its just deep rust