OT: Thoughts On Smithey Cast Iron

CTMike

Looking to up my cast iron game, anyone have any of the cast iron pans from Smithey in Charleston?

My current Miami #9 is warped and a pain to use for anything other than roasting.

I’m open for recommendations on other brands as well.

loco_engr

Just looked at Smithey website for a 12" pan, $200 . . . Lodge has their 12"for for $50 . . . I'd be curious in the difference in quality between the two brands.
https://www.lodgecastiron.com/product/chef-collection-skillet?sku=LC12SK

lousubcap

If you are looking for heir-loom pieces than there are many CI experts here.  If it's only functional then Lodge fits the requirement, at least for a pedestrian cooker like me.  That's all I've got.  FWIW-

CTMike

Thanks to you both, but I am looking for something I can pass down to my kids.  

Botch

Interesting selection here:  https://prohomecooks.com/collections/cast-iron-pots-and-pans
(I've not purchased from him before (almost bought his favorite air fryer, but talked myself out of it).  I subscribe to his cooking/fermenting channel, highly recommended)
 
Only CI I have are a few pieces of le Creuset, and my "Sam the Cooking Guy" 12" frypan with tight glass lid, which I love.  None are heirloom quality, but they work.  
 
Was your current pan warped from the beginning, or did it happen?  I thought all you could do to CI is break it, via a high drop onto cement.    

CTMike

Botch said:

Interesting selection here:  https://prohomecooks.com/collections/cast-iron-pots-and-pans
(I've not purchased from him before (almost bought his favorite air fryer, but talked myself out of it).  I subscribe to his cooking/fermenting channel, highly recommended)
 
Only CI I have are a few pieces of le Creuset, and my "Sam the Cooking Guy" 12" frypan with tight glass lid, which I love.  None are heirloom quality, but they work.  
 
Was your current pan warped from the beginning, or did it happen?  I thought all you could do to CI is break it, via a high drop onto cement.    

Bought it at a yard sale for $5. I knew that Miami pans were no longer made after 1930-something so I bought it. Brought it home, cleaned it up, seasoned, and went to cook breakfast and realized the bottom was warped. 

Photo Egg

CTMike said:

Thanks to you both, but I am looking for something I can pass down to my kids.  

It’s the memories of “you” your kids will remember, not the brand of the pan. Spend as much as you want, but their’s nothing wrong with a Lodge pan.
Someday, that pan will also be a classic.

GrateEggspectations

I bought a 12” Finex and lid years back. One of the prettiest things in my kitchen. I routinely get compliments. Not my photo. 

@paqman had previously flagged that Costco was now carrying them. Think he picked one up. 

RRP

GrateEggspectations said:

I bought a 12” Finex and lid years back. One of the prettiest things in my kitchen. I routinely get compliments. Not my photo. 

@paqman had previously flagged that Costco was now carrying them. Think he picked one up. 

Very unusual! When you/he said COSTCO carried them I wonder if that was a regional thing, one of a kind thing or special order thing? 

paqman

costco.ca - still a few pieces available, the one I got is 12 inches

Langner91

The 12" appears on Costco.com here in the US.  It is available to order.  It shows $210 for the 12" and lid.

RRP

Langner91 said:

The 12" appears on Costco.com here in the US.  It is available to order.  It shows $210 for the 12" and lid.

HOLY SH*T Batman! I had NO idea they were THAT expensive! Now I don’t even care to know more! My large $50 lodge to which I first flattened real well using 4 discs on my RO sander just keeps getting better after every use! BTW after every use I scrape the bottom using a stainless steel spatula. The inside bottom is just getting flatter and flatter and more shiny!

GrateEggspectations

@RRP

And sadly for me, I bought mine years ago from a trendy boutique before they were became available at Costco. 

1voyager

Two suggestions for vintage cast iron: 

#9 Griswold cast iron skillet with heat ring and large logo, slant logo, or "ERIE" logo. That will cost you about $275.00 on eBay for a skillet in perfectly restored condition.

If you don't want to spend that much, go for a #9 Wagner Ware Sidney -O-, also with heat ring. That will go for about $175.00, in perfectly restored condition.

GoldenQ

I agree with RRP

paqman

It definitely is expensive and it was an impulse buy.  I think that it is at least 100$ more expensive everywhere else around here.  Keep in mind that this is CDN$.

It is very nice looking, the handle stays relatively cool when compared to the Lodge.  I used the lodge occasionally; I use this one daily.

The stock seasoning sucks.  From what I have seen it is made of flaxseed oil and it flaked/came off within weeks so I had to redo it.  I don’t like that the machined/flat surface doesn’t extend up to the top of the edge radius; it stops at the beginning of the edge radius.




I would have preferred the flat/machined bottom to end at the red line.

GrateEggspectations

paqman said:

It definitely is expensive and it was an impulse buy.  I think that it is at least 100$ more expensive everywhere else around here.  Keep in mind that this is CDN$.

It is very nice looking, the handle stays relatively cool when compared to the Lodge.  I used the lodge occasionally; I use this one daily.

The stock seasoning sucks.  From what I have seen it is made of flaxseed oil and it flaked/came off within weeks so I had to redo it.  I don’t like that the machined/flat surface doesn’t extend up to the top of the edge radius; it stops at the beginning of the edge radius.




I would have preferred the flat/machined bottom to end at the red line.

Watch that pan on your glass top. Ask me how I know. 

paqman

You dropped it?  I am getting nervous every time SWMBO moves it! 🤣😂

She is not allowed to use it and I store it inside the oven when not in use.

RRP

paqman said:

I would have preferred the flat/machined bottom to end at the red line.

I realize it is an expensive pan, BUT if that small amount of rough area takes some of your pleasure out of using it that issue is easily remedied! Take a random obit sander and the outer edge of the sanding discs will ride right up those walls at least that much and smooth them down. You may need to waste 5 or 6 discs getting the job done, but discs are cheap!

GrateEggspectations

paqman said:

You dropped it?  I am getting nervous every time SWMBO moves it! 🤣😂

She is not allowed to use it and I store it inside the oven when not in use.

No dropping. Just minor, unintentional sliding. The heft can scratch that top. 

Sounds like we are on parallel tracks. Wifey is not allowed to use my Boos block. 

paqman

I don’t think that I’ll try using sanding discs on my pan 🤣😂

SamIAm2

@GrateEggspectations - "No dropping. Just minor, unintentional sliding. The heft can scratch that top. " 

That is exactly why Cast Iron is only used here in the oven (rarely) or in the appropriate egg for the pan. Sent you a PM

RRP

paqman said:

I don’t think that I’ll try using sanding discs on my pan 🤣😂

Fine! - Since you might not understand cast iron is one of the softest metals used when making cookware.

I was just trying to help you get over your issue with the edge not being smooth up the sides to your satisfaction...

caliking

GrateEggspectations said:

paqman said:

You dropped it?  I am getting nervous every time SWMBO moves it! 🤣😂

She is not allowed to use it and I store it inside the oven when not in use.

No dropping. Just minor, unintentional sliding. The heft can scratch that top. 

Sounds like we are on parallel tracks. Wifey is not allowed to use my Boos block. 

If that's an induction stove, something like this may help:


Lazy K Induction Cooktop Mat - Silicone Fiberglass Scratch Protector - for Magnetic Stove - Non slip Pads to Prevent Pots from Sliding during Cooking (11 inches) https://a.co/d/1brypp0

I think even a piece of thick felt would work. 

MaskedMarvel

I feel lucky to have two skillets from https://boroughfurnace.com/ 

I have lots of pans I use for different things. These skillets are the ones that live on the stove top. 

KICKING MYSELF for not getting the “braising skillet.” Not certain they’ll make more…

northGAcock

I was gifted a Smithey Skillet by a good friend
and love it. Also, I can provide a shipping address if any of you wish to send me another piece. 

It’s a quality / heirloom piece of cooking art. 

Photo Egg

CTMike

I appreciate everyone’s input. I ended up going with Staub for a couple reasons:

- available colors appealed to SWMBO
- the glass enamel coating on the inside prevents the need for traditional seasoning, making them more user friendly for SWMBO
- limited lifetime warranty

Not shown is the 11” skillet that is coming in a separate shipment;

This set consists of a grill pan, a braiser, and a cocotte. 

Photo Egg

CTMike said:

I appreciate everyone’s input. I ended up going with Staub for a couple reasons:

- available colors appealed to SWMBO
- the glass enamel coating on the inside prevents the need for traditional seasoning, making them more user friendly for SWMBO
- limited lifetime warranty

Not shown is the 11” skillet that is coming in a separate shipment;

This set consists of a grill pan, a braiser, and a cocotte. 

After a little computer hacking…
DNA shows me to be your son…

paqman

I like that they stack!

HeavyG

paqman said:

I like that they stack!

That is nice for storage but that's one heavy stack to carry around.