Smithey Ironware Makes Heirloom Cast Iron for Serious Home Cooks

Smithey’s strongest documented strength is heirloom-quality craftsmanship that turns everyday cooking into a pleasure. Owners call their Smithey pans favourites in kitchens full of cookware. One buyer said of his No. 14 Skillet, “this is by far my favorite pan” — Eddie Snipes, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 5 stars, No. 14 Skillet). Another declared “The best cast iron on the planet!” — David in Michigan, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 5 stars, Cast Iron Cookware). Smithey’s own site shows its carbon steel Farmhouse Skillet rated 4.9 from 677 reviews. Smithey Ironware is a Charleston, South Carolina brand founded by Isaac Morton, according to Taste of Home, inspired by vintage ironware. What sets it apart is its polished cooking surfaces, hand finishing and hand-forged carbon steel made by artisan blacksmiths in Charleston, per Smithey.

The No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet is about $210, per Taste of Home and Magnolia. Taste of Home measured it at 12 inches in diameter and 2.2 inches deep. Smithey’s site lists the hand-forged carbon steel Farmhouse Skillet at about $295. Smithey also sells sets such as the Smithey Starter Set at about $200 (regular about $245), the No. 12 Combo Set at about $300 (regular about $360), and the Founder’s 3-Piece Set at about $399 (regular about $520). Accessories include a 12" glass lid (about $45) and seasoning oil (about $15). Smithey’s guarantee says that if cookware is defective it will be replaced, and if it fails after honest and normal use it will be repaired or replaced. Smithey also offers a free seasoning tin on orders of $300 or more.

The honest caveat: Smithey’s unclaimed Trustpilot profile has only two reviews, so there’s very little independent customer data to verify. Taste of Home’s tester found the seasoning wore off where bacon had cooked, revealing bare metal. They also noted that a similar Lodge pan costs around $30. Smithey pans are also heavy, and the price is high for cast iron.

What Stands Out About Smithey (and What Doesn’t)

✅ Made in Charleston, South Carolina, per Smithey
✅ Polished, smooth cooking surfaces
✅ Hand-forged carbon steel by artisan blacksmiths
✅ Lifetime guarantee: repair or replace after honest use
✅ No. 12 Skillet about $210
✅ Carbon steel Farmhouse Skillet rated 4.9 from 677 site reviews
✅ Sets from about $200 on sale
✅ Accessories including glass lids, leather sleeves and chainmail scrubbers
✅ Free seasoning tin on $300+ orders, per Smithey
✅ Sold at Food52 and Crate & Barrel, per Taste of Home
✅ Pre-seasoned and ready to cook
✅ Heirloom design that looks good on display
❌ Only 2 Trustpilot reviews on an unclaimed profile
❌ Expensive compared with mass-market cast iron
❌ Heavy, as all cast iron is
❌ Seasoning can wear in spots early on, per Taste of Home
❌ No custom-fitting lid for the hand-forged Farmhouse Skillet
❌ Requires regular seasoning and careful drying
❌ Limited-run carbon steel can sell out

How We Assessed Smithey With Few Online Reviews

We checked Smithey’s Trustpilot profile directly. It’s unclaimed, with only two reviews (one in the last 12 months), both 5-star, giving a 3.8/5 TrustScore. Smithey has never invited reviews there. Because that sample is tiny, we also used Smithey’s own product pages, including its on-site ratings, and Taste of Home’s hands-on test of the No. 12 Skillet. Prices and the lifetime guarantee come from Smithey’s site and retailers. GlossGirly has no commercial relationship with Smithey that affects this verdict.

Safety note: Cast iron and carbon steel handles get extremely hot, so always use a potholder or handle sleeve. These pans are heavy when full, so lift with two hands. Dry pans fully and apply a thin coat of oil after washing to prevent rust. Avoid long-simmering highly acidic foods in new pans until the seasoning is well built up.

Smithey Cookware Under the Microscope

Craftsmanship and Cooking Surface

Smithey’s craftsmanship is its standout feature. Taste of Home says each pan is finished by hand and machine in Charleston, and the smooth, polished surface sets Smithey apart from rougher mass-market cast iron. The Farmhouse Skillet is hand-forged by artisan blacksmiths, so each one is unique, per Smithey.

The polished surface releases food well once seasoned. Taste of Home’s tester found the No. 12 replaced almost every other pan in their kitchen.

Cooking Performance and Care

Cast iron holds heat brilliantly for searing, frying, baking and roasting. Carbon steel heats up faster and is lighter, which Smithey says makes it great for searing and sautéing.

Seasoning takes time to build. Taste of Home found it wore off where bacon had cooked early on, which is normal while seasoning develops. Cook with fat often, avoid soaking, and re-oil after washing.

Warranty and Service

Smithey’s lifetime guarantee is generous: defective cookware is replaced, and pans that fail after honest, normal use are repaired or replaced, per Smithey. Taste of Home says the company is quick to help.

Both Trustpilot reviewers praise fast shipping and customer service, though the sample is very small.

Value for Money

At about $210 for the No. 12, Smithey costs many times more than mass-market cast iron. Taste of Home notes a similar Lodge pan runs about $30. You’re paying for the polished surface, American hand finishing and heirloom design.

For cooks who use cast iron daily and value craftsmanship, Smithey can last generations. On a budget, a cheaper pan will cook similarly once well seasoned.

Smithey Pans and Sets to Start With

No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet 

The No. 12 is Smithey’s flagship skillet, which the brand calls the ultimate kitchen workhorse. Taste of Home measured it at 12 inches wide and 2.2 inches deep, big enough to feed a family. Its polished cooking surface helps food release once seasoned. Taste of Home’s tester found it replaced almost every other pan they owned. It’s backed by Smithey’s lifetime guarantee.

Carbon Steel Farmhouse Skillet 

The Farmhouse Skillet is hand-forged by artisan blacksmiths in Charleston and inspired by early American blacksmith designs, per Smithey. It’s rated 4.9 from 677 reviews on Smithey’s site. Carbon steel is lighter than cast iron and heats faster, making it great for searing and sautéing. Retail listings put it at about 5 lbs. Because each piece is unique, Smithey doesn’t make a custom-fitting lid for it.

Smithey Starter Set 

The Starter Set is a lower-cost way to begin a Smithey collection. It’s ideal as a gift or for cooks trying premium cast iron for the first time. Bundled pricing saves money compared with buying pieces separately. Check the set contents on Smithey’s site before ordering. Add seasoning oil and a chainmail scrubber for easy care.

No. 12 Combo Set 

The No. 12 Combo Set pairs the flagship skillet with complementary pieces at a bundled price. At $300, it also qualifies for Smithey’s free seasoning tin offer. It’s a strong choice for cooks who want a full-sized skillet plus extras. Check the current contents, as sets can change. Consider adding the 12" glass lid (about $45) for braising and steaming.

Feedback From Smithey Owners and Testers

Because Smithey has only two Trustpilot reviews, we’ve added Smithey’s on-site feedback and editorial testing, clearly labelled:

“The quality is very impressive.” — Eddie Snipes, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 5 stars, No. 14 Skillet)

“Great products, fast shipping and amazing customer service!” — David in Michigan, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 5 stars, Cast Iron Cookware)

“Works for everything you want to cook, easy to clean and maintain.” — Smithey.com customer review (name not shown, 5 stars, No. 12 Skillet)

“The No. 12 skillet replaces almost every other pan in my arsenal.” — Taste of Home (editorial test, No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet)

Smart Ways to Buy Smithey

Smithey suits cooks who use cast iron often and value American craftsmanship and lifetime durability. Start with the No. 12 Skillet or a set to get the best value per piece. Watch for set discounts, and order $300 or more to get the free seasoning tin. Build seasoning by cooking with fat regularly, and don’t worry if early spots wear. Use a handle sleeve and potholders, and dry pans thoroughly after every wash.

Smithey Next to Lodge, Field Company and Misen

Smithey Care and Warranty FAQs

Where is Smithey cast iron made?
In Charleston, South Carolina, according to Smithey and Taste of Home.

Does Smithey have a lifetime warranty?
Yes. Defective cookware is replaced, and pans that fail after honest, normal use are repaired or replaced, per Smithey.

How much is the Smithey No. 12 skillet?
About $210, per Taste of Home and Magnolia.

Why is my Smithey seasoning coming off?
New seasoning can wear in spots, as Taste of Home found. Keep cooking with fat and re-oil after washing.

Is Smithey carbon steel lighter than cast iron?
Yes. Smithey says carbon steel is lighter and heats faster than cast iron.

Wrapping Up Our Smithey Review

Smithey makes some of the most beautifully crafted cast iron and carbon steel in America, with polished surfaces, hand-forged pieces and a lifetime guarantee that backs its heirloom promise.

It’s expensive and heavy, and online review data is limited. If you cook with cast iron daily and value craftsmanship, Smithey is a pan you’ll likely pass down.

Smithey Ratings at a Glance