Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet vs All-Clad Essentials Hard Anodized Nonstick Skillet

Buy the Smithey No. 12 if you want a pan for life that sears, bakes and browns at high heat and gets more nonstick with use. Buy the All-Clad Essentials if you want easy cleanup and a lighter pan for eggs, fish and delicate sauces. The Smithey is heavier and needs seasoning care; the All-Clad's coating wears out over years and caps at 500°F. Owners of polished cast iron like Smithey praise the smooth cooking surface; nonstick owners like the All-Clad for convenience but replace it sooner.

• Choose the Smithey No. 12 if you cook on any stovetop including induction, want oven and fire heat up to 1,000°F, and will keep a cast iron pan seasoned for decades.
• Choose the All-Clad Essentials if you want a lighter 12-inch pan with true nonstick release for eggs and fish and don't need high-heat searing or long oven braises.