Great in-depth unboxing. That comal is beautiful, but the lack of a way to pick it up would be a problem for me. I cook on a glass cooktop, and I'd hate to slide it around trying to pick it up. I also never leave anything on the burner when I'm done cooking, so I have no idea how I'd remove it while still hot! But it looks soooooo good!
Since I recently got interested in cast iron (I haven't picked up my first pan yet), I really appreciate you getting and trying out all the different options out there. After having watched a few of your videos now, I think I put this one among my top 3 choices. Thank you!
Thanks and I hope you enjoy whatever Cast Iron Skillet you choose. There are many great options available and I do my best to share as much info as I can.
Nice to see another USA player, but that giant brake disc without a handle is pretty odd indeed. I would have to braze a handle on it, or they could send it with some big Channellock's. Or vice grips.
I agree and it’s not to bash the cookware but it needed at least side tabs or an indent within the side edge. It’s great as a “baking stone” but not a griddle.
@@luisj.castironcooking I'm looking to get my first real cast iron skillet and would love your opinion. I'll be getting a 12" skillet to be primary pan for family meals. I've been looking at smithey, butter pat and field, but saw Lancaster and others in your videos I was less familiar with. I'm also getting a carbon steel skillet, same size and would love your take on that as well. Smithey has both that look beautiful. Right now, which are your two favorites? Thanks for all your videos, so much info!
@@Inthemix3 Smithey is a great choice since they offer a 12” skillet as well as the carbon steel pan. I love both of these skillets and in my time using and owning these skillets they work great. The only thing about the Smithey is their seasoning. Factory seasoning will be lost in your initial cook. With that said they will develop a very nice seasoning after several meals cooked. Field Company, Butter Pat, Finex, Lancaster & Northern Company do not have such a wide arrange of skillets to purchase. Smithey at the moment are the only high end brand which offers carbon steel. Now with that said you can purchase a Lodge 12” cast iron skillet and a Carbon Steel skillet for a fraction of the price of Smithey. Lodge is still a very well known brand and is the last of the original foundries of its time. Either way you can’t go wrong with either a Smithey or Lodge.
@@luisj.castironcooking Thanks for all the info! I have a 12" preseasoned Lodge now that is doing pretty good. Really dislike how rough the cooking surface is, but it's been good at holding seasoning. I got a Matfer carbon steel skillet, but out of the box was warped. Sent it back. After the Smithey looses it's Seasoning, how hard is it to get season to stick? I have an older Lodge my father in law sanded smooth. He gave it to me because he can't get it to hold seasoning without flaking off. I may try to work on that one too. I'm going to probably take your advice and get the Smitheys. Really appreciate your help and your videos are great, thanks!
I live in Texas and thought hard about Fredericksburg CI...but the weight kept me away just like with Smithy and Stargazer. Went with Field and am really happy.
I love Cast Iron and especially American Made. My wife owns a small business so for us, doing reviews on American made companies is my way of supporting local businesses. Thanks for the support and kind words.
I’ve heard great things about butterpats due to their even heating and decent heat retention while not being monstrously heavy by having thinner sidewalls. Since they aren’t made anymore would you say this is closer to a butterpat versus the Lancaster/field options?
No Fredericksburg is closer to Smithey Ironware. Austin Foundry is closer to a ButterPat in my opinion. Austin Foundry is smooth inside and out, but they still have a micro texture on the cooking surface which allows for better seasoning just like ButterPat. Also they are cast by hand and are lightweight while still maintaining even heating.
Nice review. I love the looks of it. But not a fan of only one pour spout, as it is made for right handed people (which I am not). Although you can pour without it as well of course.
@@luisj.castironcooking That would be awesome. I roast and sell coffee out of cast iron pans and I currently have a Lodge Blacklock 12", Field #10, and a Fredericksburg #12. We're looking at adding a Smithey #12 so we have 2 thin and 2 thick. Seeing someone else's perspective would be a massive help.
Honestly yes on the skillet but the griddle can be a hit and miss. The griddle is great outdoors on a grill, open fire or the oven. But as a stove top griddle not so much since it does not have handles.
@@Drewcooks24 both are built heavy and thick. The Fredericksburg is a bit larger and also has slightly sloped sidewalls. The Smithey has 2 pour spouts and has many accessories made for it. Glass lids, griddle counter parts, etc. Either one is going to be a good purchase. It will be personal preference. Hope this helps
I am a lefty as well, I thought about that too, lol.. Luis..you once said the Smithey was much harder to season , then most others, I’m interested to see how this compares, accepting seasoning.
@CaptainGrims they do in fact not. You must not be cooking much. Your pour spout would still be on the wrong side where you can't see what you are doing.
I have their pan that I bought while in Fredericksburg. Beautiful piece but absolutely unnecessarily over built and heavy! Great for searing steaks real hot every now and then, but way to unwieldy for daily use IMO.
Well it more about the ruggedness aspect. This is a thick skillet and there are times many people worry about their Lodge getting too hot over a camp fire and perhaps warp or become fire damaged. But yes you would be better off with taking a Lodge that’s worth a fraction of the price in case it gets lost.
You're not being rude Luis. They are boastful themselves lol. No matter what direction you ENTER Texas there are signs that say,,, DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS.😂 & I DON'T. Drive UNDER da speed limit, don't litter, walk on egg shells, get in & GET OUT.🤣🤣🤣 It is a beauty tho. Love da design all over. But I hear you saying ruff edges & that handle looks rough too?!?!????
Way to heavy, I think this was made to appeal to the “look how pretty” crowd. The round disc pizza pan is ridiculous, no way to handle it makes it junk in my experience, unfortunately most people won’t discover its uselessness until they have it all heated up. Then what will you do? I have been buying and cleaning, and reseasoning cast iron for quite awhile, and the price for these 2 pieces would buy you several vintage pans, and leave you with plenty of change to find more. When a lodge pan of the same size weighs less then this one, keep shopping. Great review though, thanks for doing it.
The griddle looks like artwork, but not very practical . I can't imagine trying to move it screaming hot with hot grease and food in it. Looks like a disaster loking for a place to happen.
I'm ordering one of these ASAP. love my smithey and my lodge I sanded down and reseasoned but ready to add another to the arsenal
Great in-depth unboxing. That comal is beautiful, but the lack of a way to pick it up would be a problem for me. I cook on a glass cooktop, and I'd hate to slide it around trying to pick it up. I also never leave anything on the burner when I'm done cooking, so I have no idea how I'd remove it while still hot! But it looks soooooo good!
Hippie,,, they shoooool got a way of tempting us tho huh??? Nice & shiny like a new car. It is beautiful but like you said,,,, THAT'S ALOT OF WEIGHT.
Since I recently got interested in cast iron (I haven't picked up my first pan yet), I really appreciate you getting and trying out all the different options out there. After having watched a few of your videos now, I think I put this one among my top 3 choices. Thank you!
Thanks and I hope you enjoy whatever Cast Iron Skillet you choose. There are many great options available and I do my best to share as much info as I can.
Beautiful...and pricy. I like😊
Dang that round plate is absolutely gorgeous!
Nice to see another USA player, but that giant brake disc without a handle is pretty odd indeed. I would have to braze a handle on it, or they could send it with some big Channellock's. Or vice grips.
I agree and it’s not to bash the cookware but it needed at least side tabs or an indent within the side edge. It’s great as a “baking stone” but not a griddle.
They are Beautiful. I would love to see how the color changes cooking with it over a year or so.
Sure thing it has already been put to work
Love all the cast iron content. Curious to know which 3-5 pieces you tend to use the most on a day to day basis.
I tend to use my Finex, ButterPat, Field Co, Smithey and Lodge the most often.
@@luisj.castironcooking any reason the Lancaster doesn’t get as much use? Was looking to get one due to the weight and size
@@luisj.castironcooking I'm looking to get my first real cast iron skillet and would love your opinion. I'll be getting a 12" skillet to be primary pan for family meals. I've been looking at smithey, butter pat and field, but saw Lancaster and others in your videos I was less familiar with. I'm also getting a carbon steel skillet, same size and would love your take on that as well. Smithey has both that look beautiful. Right now, which are your two favorites?
Thanks for all your videos, so much info!
@@Inthemix3 Smithey is a great choice since they offer a 12” skillet as well as the carbon steel pan. I love both of these skillets and in my time using and owning these skillets they work great. The only thing about the Smithey is their seasoning. Factory seasoning will be lost in your initial cook. With that said they will develop a very nice seasoning after several meals cooked. Field Company, Butter Pat, Finex, Lancaster & Northern Company do not have such a wide arrange of skillets to purchase. Smithey at the moment are the only high end brand which offers carbon steel. Now with that said you can purchase a Lodge 12” cast iron skillet and a Carbon Steel skillet for a fraction of the price of Smithey. Lodge is still a very well known brand and is the last of the original foundries of its time. Either way you can’t go wrong with either a Smithey or Lodge.
@@luisj.castironcooking Thanks for all the info! I have a 12" preseasoned Lodge now that is doing pretty good. Really dislike how rough the cooking surface is, but it's been good at holding seasoning. I got a Matfer carbon steel skillet, but out of the box was warped. Sent it back. After the Smithey looses it's Seasoning, how hard is it to get season to stick? I have an older Lodge my father in law sanded smooth. He gave it to me because he can't get it to hold seasoning without flaking off. I may try to work on that one too. I'm going to probably take your advice and get the Smitheys. Really appreciate your help and your videos are great, thanks!
Damn Luis, how do you find all the new manufacturers?
I live in Texas and thought hard about Fredericksburg CI...but the weight kept me away just like with Smithy and Stargazer. Went with Field and am really happy.
Love seeing you review new brands (especially the American ones)
I love Cast Iron and especially American Made. My wife owns a small business so for us, doing reviews on American made companies is my way of supporting local businesses. Thanks for the support and kind words.
Hi Luis, is this skillet any heavier than a Finex?
I have this skillet and love it. Just wish it had a pour spout on both sides.
Nice review...will be interesting to see it cook. Heat retention must be wild
I’ve heard great things about butterpats due to their even heating and decent heat retention while not being monstrously heavy by having thinner sidewalls. Since they aren’t made anymore would you say this is closer to a butterpat versus the Lancaster/field options?
No Fredericksburg is closer to Smithey Ironware. Austin Foundry is closer to a ButterPat in my opinion. Austin Foundry is smooth inside and out, but they still have a micro texture on the cooking surface which allows for better seasoning just like ButterPat. Also they are cast by hand and are lightweight while still maintaining even heating.
@@luisj.castironcooking Ohhh I hadn’t heard of those ones, sounds like a great option, awesome thank you for the info!
Thanks for this video i was on the fence between this and a butter pat…. Def going butter pat.
Nice review. I love the looks of it. But not a fan of only one pour spout, as it is made for right handed people (which I am not). Although you can pour without it as well of course.
Any chance you can do a side by side comparison of a Smithey and a Fredericksburg?
Sure thing. 👍🏽
@@luisj.castironcooking That would be awesome. I roast and sell coffee out of cast iron pans and I currently have a Lodge Blacklock 12", Field #10, and a Fredericksburg #12. We're looking at adding a Smithey #12 so we have 2 thin and 2 thick. Seeing someone else's perspective would be a massive help.
I enjoyed that Luis, very good review.
I love unboxing videos there awesome
Great review very detailed thank you
Would you still recommend buying one of these ? I live in Texas would be cool to have a Cast iron made here to upgrade my lodge
Honestly yes on the skillet but the griddle can be a hit and miss. The griddle is great outdoors on a grill, open fire or the oven. But as a stove top griddle not so much since it does not have handles.
@@luisj.castironcooking sorry one last question. Smithey vs the Fredericksburg one ? I’m about to make a purchase and I can’t decide between the two
@@Drewcooks24 both are built heavy and thick. The Fredericksburg is a bit larger and also has slightly sloped sidewalls. The Smithey has 2 pour spouts and has many accessories made for it. Glass lids, griddle counter parts, etc. Either one is going to be a good purchase. It will be personal preference. Hope this helps
@@luisj.castironcooking definitely helps. I went with a no 12 smithey and I’ll eventually order a Fredricksburg
I couldn’t help myself lol I ordered a fredericksburg as well. I think I have an addiction lmao
i am left handed, so the pour spout is on the wrong side. how stupid. How much trouble is it to have 2 pour spouts like a 20 buck lodge?
I never considered that but it is totally true.
I am a lefty as well, I thought about that too, lol.. Luis..you once said the Smithey was much harder to season , then most others, I’m interested to see how this compares, accepting seasoning.
I'm not a lefty but that was the first thing that came to mind. How is a left handed person going to deal with a right handed pour spout.
You know your hands turn both ways, right?
@CaptainGrims they do in fact not. You must not be cooking much. Your pour spout would still be on the wrong side where you can't see what you are doing.
I have their pan that I bought while in Fredericksburg. Beautiful piece but absolutely unnecessarily over built and heavy! Great for searing steaks real hot every now and then, but way to unwieldy for daily use IMO.
MY thoughts exactly, I'm not getting any younger and am converting to lighter weight Cast not go that direction.
Great review Luis!!👏👏👏👏💯
Kmslafffin, YEILD NOT TO TEMPTATION Rick D.🤣🤣🤣You gonna find yoself doing like me,,,, downsizing. But you got 2 spots to hold it.
@@cynthiawesley8470 🤣🤣🤣🤣 is that kinda like …do unto cast iron as you would have cast iron so into you..?🤣🤣🤣
@@rstumbaugh43 Maaaaan😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Ye Rick D, ye. Weeeak🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@cynthiawesley8470 whoop WHOOooooOOp🤣🤣🤣👏👏
Local contest entered to win a #12…but…we’ll buy if necessary.
BTW, five-star admiral Nimitz came from Fredericksburg.
WWII pacific commander.
Have to say I am not a big fan. If the griddle would have had a handle or a bale handle, I would have been ordering one.
I wanna see you put this one to use
I'm here for the giveaway! 🤣
Why would you take $160 skillet camping when you can take a basic large skillet but only cost $25 and they weigh about the same?
Well it more about the ruggedness aspect. This is a thick skillet and there are times many people worry about their Lodge getting too hot over a camp fire and perhaps warp or become fire damaged. But yes you would be better off with taking a Lodge that’s worth a fraction of the price in case it gets lost.
i got the skillet.....i have not unboxed it yet....
This pan sucks for left handed people like me! 1 pour spout for right handed pours is a very dumb idea!
You're not being rude Luis. They are boastful themselves lol. No matter what direction you ENTER Texas there are signs that say,,, DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS.😂 & I DON'T. Drive UNDER da speed limit, don't litter, walk on egg shells, get in & GET OUT.🤣🤣🤣 It is a beauty tho. Love da design all over. But I hear you saying ruff edges & that handle looks rough too?!?!????
coming on @ 11" is really more of a #9 than a #8....................
Correct, I believe the sloped walls give the top of the skillet a wider size. Also it is actually listed as a No. 10 rather than a No. 8
Way to heavy, I think this was made to appeal to the “look how pretty” crowd. The round disc pizza pan is ridiculous, no way to handle it makes it junk in my experience, unfortunately most people won’t discover its uselessness until they have it all heated up. Then what will you do? I have been buying and cleaning, and reseasoning cast iron for quite awhile, and the price for these 2 pieces would buy you several vintage pans, and leave you with plenty of change to find more. When a lodge pan of the same size weighs less then this one, keep shopping. Great review though, thanks for doing it.
The griddle looks like artwork, but not very practical . I can't imagine trying to move it screaming hot with hot grease and food in it. Looks like a disaster loking for a place to happen.
Gas grill would be easy, they make pot holders.
These pan doesn't made for Lefty 😂😂