ConsFirst / Cast-iron skillets

Smithey Ironware

Smithey No. 10 Cast Iron Skillet: the downsides first

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#8 of 8
$$$Bare cast ironScore 2.3/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available

A beautiful, polished US-made skillet that two test labs passed over: Serious Eats found it the heaviest of its lineup with eggs sticking, and Wirecutter's No. 12 heated slowly and unevenly with cornbread stuck. It costs about $180.

Top complaints

  • Heavy

    Serious Eats says it was the heaviest in its lineup at nearly 6 lb (5 lb 13.2 oz), which made it hard to maneuver, especially taking cornbread out of the oven.

    Source: Serious Eats
  • Food sticking and finish wear

    Serious Eats says fried eggs stuck quite a bit, though it expects that to improve with seasoning. Wirecutter's No. 12 couldn't turn out cornbread without sticking, and some of the factory finish looked stripped after cooking bacon.

    Source: Serious Eats, Wirecutter
  • Slow, uneven heating

    Wirecutter found the No. 12 slow to heat and particularly uneven. Serious Eats measured it among the slowest to heat (18% in the first minute), though all pans seared steak well.

    Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats

What owners love

  • Polished, well-equipped design

    Smithey says it has a satin-smooth polished interior, pour spouts and a helper handle, is pre-seasoned and made in the US with a lifetime guarantee. Serious Eats calls it a beautiful skillet.

    Source: Smithey official page, Serious Eats
Good for
  • Looks and a polished interior
  • Buyers who value a US-made heirloom pan
  • Pour spouts and a helper handle

Scores (tap for why)

  • Searing & heat retention2.5
    Why 2.5?Wirecutter: slow to heat and particularly uneven. Serious Eats: among the slowest to heat, but still seared steak well.
    Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats
  • Cooking surface & seasoning2.5
    Why 2.5?Polished interior (Smithey), but eggs stuck (Serious Eats) and cornbread stuck with some finish stripped (Wirecutter).
    Source: Smithey official page, Serious Eats, Wirecutter
  • Weight & handling2.0
    Why 2.0?Heaviest in Serious Eats' lineup at 5 lb 13.2 oz and hard to maneuver.
    Source: Serious Eats
  • Value2.0
    Why 2.0?About $180 from Smithey; neither Serious Eats nor Wirecutter picked it.
    Source: Smithey official page, Serious Eats, Wirecutter

What experts say

  • Serious Eats: Competition (August 2026): beautiful, but the heaviest tested and fried eggs stuck.
  • Wirecutter (NYT): Competition (No. 12): slow and uneven heating, finish partly stripped after bacon, and cornbread stuck.
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If that catch is a deal-breaker

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