Smithey
Smithey vs Stargazer
If you’re hunting for top-shelf cast-iron skillets in 2026, two names keep popping up like clockwork: Smithey Ironware (Charleston, SC) and Stargazer (Pennsylvania).They’re both poster children for the “modern cast-iron revival,” but they couldn’t be more different under the hood. Smithey leans hard into luxury—hand-finished, almost sculptural, the kind of pan you’d leave on the […]
Smithey vs Butter Pat
The first time I held a Butter Pat pan in my hands, the sensation reminded me of picking up an artifact rather than a modern skillet—thin walls, an almost willowy weight, and an elegant taper that felt like it belonged to a lineage of American cookware long since left behind. Only a week later, in […]
Smithey vs Staub
The U.S. cookware market has dozens of Dutch ovens, but two names rise above almost every debate: Smithey and Staub.Both are premium.Both are built for life.Both deliver exceptional cooking results. But they serve two entirely different culinary philosophies. Read moreSmithey vs Le CreusetThis professional editorial gives you a full technical comparison, real-world cooking performance, metallurgy, […]
Smithey vs Griswold
I still remember the day I brought home my first real cast-iron skillet. It wasn’t new — it was a vintage Griswold, passed down through a friend, slightly worn, the surface dark and rich from decades of use. Holding it in my hands, I felt an electric thrill, like I was clutching a piece of […]
Smithey vs Lancaster Cast Iron
I didn’t expect these two pans—both proudly Southern, both celebrating American cast iron traditions—to feel so different under my hands. Yet after months of cooking with them side by side, logging data in my temperature sensors, and running them through my seasoning and Ra surface tests in my workshop, I realized that Smithey and Lancaster […]
Finex vs Smithey
In kitchen worlds, few things get the respect cast iron does. This stuff’s been around forever. From old frontier cabins to fancy modern kitchens, cast iron’s the backbone. Today’s market? It’s wild. You got cheap stuff and then you got the real artisans. Brands like Finex and Smithey. They’re making heirlooms. Actual pieces you’ll pass […]
Smithey vs Yeti Cast Iron
The sound of a cast iron pan hitting a burner grate is the opening note of a meal. It’s a heavy, metallic clank that signals intention. Over the last six months, that sound has dominated my kitchen, alternating between the resonant thud of the Smithey No. 12 and the slightly higher-pitched, confident placement of the […]
Smithey vs Field vs Stargazer
If you’ve been researching premium cast iron, you’ve definitely noticed something: Smithey, Field, and Stargazer dominate the “modern boutique cast iron” space — but every reviewer seems to give vague conclusions like “all are good, choose what you like.” I hate that approach. Read moreSmithey vs Le CreusetSo I spent months cooking on all three […]
Smithey vs Lodge
I’ve cooked professionally and carried out metallurgical-style tests on dozens of cast-iron pans. In my kitchen I keep both a Smithey No. 12 and a Lodge 12″ classic on constant rotation — and after hundreds of meals, dozens of sears, and multiple lab-style measurements, I can say these pans represent two different answers to the […]
Smithey vs Le Creuset
When American buyers compare Smithey and Le Creuset, they’re comparing two completely different approaches to what a Dutch oven should be. Both are premium.Both last for generations.But they serve different cooking styles, different heat needs, and different expectations for maintenance, weight, and daily usability. Read moreSmithey vs LodgeThis is the full breakdown—materials, performance, handling, long-term […]