Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet
Best PremiumStargazer Cast Iron Skillet
Best Mid-RangePrice
$160-$200
$95-$120
Summary
The smoothest, most refined cast iron skillet you can buy new. WIRED's tester says it beats even vintage Griswolds — the gold standard of cast iron.
American-made with a smoother finish and thoughtful design details that rival pans costing twice as much. The most consistently praised skillet in cast iron communities.
Pros
- Exceptionally smooth polished interior — better food release than most cast iron
- Lighter than comparable premium brands relative to pan size
- Heirloom-quality build praised by both experts and community
- Charleston, SC-made with meticulous craftsmanship
- Smoother machined cooking surface than Lodge for better food release
- American-made with heirloom-quality construction
- Lighter than comparable premium brands like Smithey and Finex
- Under $150 — premium quality without the luxury markup
Cons
- Notably heavier than Stargazer and Field according to community feedback
- Premium price puts it out of reach for casual cooks
- Overkill for someone just starting with cast iron
- More expensive than Lodge or Victoria
- Smaller brand means less widely available in stores
- Flared rim design is polarizing for some users
Our take
Smithey is what you buy when you want the absolute best and don't mind paying for it. The polished interior is in a different league from mass-market pans.
If you want to skip the Lodge-to-upgrade pipeline and just buy the right pan once, Stargazer is it. Reddit's cast iron community recommends it more than any other modern brand.
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