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OT: Thoughts On Smithey Cast Iron

CTMike
CTMike Posts: 3,725
edited October 2022 in EggHead Forum
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.
MMBGE / Large BGE / XL BGE (Craigslist Find) / SF30x80 cabinet trailer - "Ol' Mortimer" / Outdoor kitchen in progress.  

RECOVERING BUBBLEHEAD
Southeastern CT. 
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  • loco_engr
    loco_engr Posts: 5,834
    edited October 2022
    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
    aka marysvilleksegghead
    Lrg 2008
    mini 2009

    Henny Youngman:
    I said to my wife, 'Where do you want to go for our anniversary?' She said, 'I want to go somewhere I've never been before.' I said, 'Try the kitchen.'
    Bob Hope: When I wake up in the morning, I don’t feel anything until noon, and then it’s time for my nap
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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 37,334
    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-
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period. CHEETO (aka Agent Orange) makes Nixon look like a saint.  
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  • CTMike
    CTMike Posts: 3,725
    Thanks to you both, but I am looking for something I can pass down to my kids.  
    MMBGE / Large BGE / XL BGE (Craigslist Find) / SF30x80 cabinet trailer - "Ol' Mortimer" / Outdoor kitchen in progress.  

    RECOVERING BUBBLEHEAD
    Southeastern CT. 
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  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 17,531
    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.  :confused:  

    “Remember this, Sometimes the only way up is to Crawl,

    You’re already down, you can’t fall, 

    Anymore”       - Seal

     

    Ogden, UT, USA


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  • CTMike
    CTMike Posts: 3,725
    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.  :confused:  
    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. 
    MMBGE / Large BGE / XL BGE (Craigslist Find) / SF30x80 cabinet trailer - "Ol' Mortimer" / Outdoor kitchen in progress.  

    RECOVERING BUBBLEHEAD
    Southeastern CT. 
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  • GrateEggspectations
    GrateEggspectations Posts: 11,993
    edited October 2022
    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. 
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,481
    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? 
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • paqman
    paqman Posts: 4,960
    edited October 2022
    costco.ca - still a few pieces available, the one I got is 12 inches



    ____________________
    Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. •Niccolo Machiavelli
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  • Langner91
    Langner91 Posts: 2,120
    The 12" appears on Costco.com here in the US.  It is available to order.  It shows $210 for the 12" and lid.


    Clinton, Iowa
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,481
    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!

    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • GrateEggspectations
    GrateEggspectations Posts: 11,993
    @RRP

    And sadly for me, I bought mine years ago from a trendy boutique before they were became available at Costco. 
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  • 1voyager
    1voyager Posts: 1,161
    edited October 2022
    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.




    Large Egg, PGS A40 gasser.
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  • GoldenQ
    GoldenQ Posts: 592
    I agree with RRP

    I XL  and 1 Weber Kettle  And 1 Weber Q220       Outside Alvin, TX-- South of Houston
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  • paqman
    paqman Posts: 4,960
    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.




    ____________________
    Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. •Niccolo Machiavelli
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  • GrateEggspectations
    GrateEggspectations Posts: 11,993
    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. 
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  • paqman
    paqman Posts: 4,960
    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.

    ____________________
    Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. •Niccolo Machiavelli
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,481
    edited October 2022
    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!
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • GrateEggspectations
    GrateEggspectations Posts: 11,993
    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. 
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  • paqman
    paqman Posts: 4,960
    I don’t think that I’ll try using sanding discs on my pan 🤣😂

    ____________________
    Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. •Niccolo Machiavelli
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  • SamIAm2
    SamIAm2 Posts: 2,015
    @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
    Ubi panis, ibi patria.
    Large - Roswell rig, MiniMax-PS Woo; Cocoa, Fl.
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,481
    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...


    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 19,780
    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. 

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
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  • MaskedMarvel
    MaskedMarvel Posts: 3,512
    edited October 2022
    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…
    Large BGE and Medium BGE
    36" Blackstone - Greensboro!


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  • northGAcock
    northGAcock Posts: 15,173
    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. 
    Ellijay GA with a Medium & MiniMax

    Well, I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life,
    Run me out in the cold rain and snow
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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137

    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • CTMike
    CTMike Posts: 3,725
    edited October 2022
    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. 
    MMBGE / Large BGE / XL BGE (Craigslist Find) / SF30x80 cabinet trailer - "Ol' Mortimer" / Outdoor kitchen in progress.  

    RECOVERING BUBBLEHEAD
    Southeastern CT. 
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  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    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…
    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
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  • paqman
    paqman Posts: 4,960
    I like that they stack!

    ____________________
    Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. •Niccolo Machiavelli
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  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    paqman said:
    I like that they stack!

    That is nice for storage but that's one heavy stack to carry around.
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




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