StoreDeal.ai store
Shop
  • Deals
  • Deal checker
  • Black Friday
  • Buying guides
  • Brands
  • Stores
Travel
  • Flight deals
  • Hotel deals
Company
  • Research
  • Press
  • deal.ai apps
Black Friday 2026
  • Walmart
  • Best Buy
  • Target
  • TVs
  • Laptops
  • Headphones
  • Apple
  • Gaming
  • Vacuums
  • Kitchen
  • Toys
  • Smartwatches
  • Tablets
  • Furniture
  • Mattresses
© Deal.ai Inc.
TermsPrivacy
Deal.ai › Compare

Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet vs Lodge 12-Inch Chef Collection Skillet

Both are 12-inch cast iron skillets that will outlast most kitchens. The Smithey No. 12 is the finer tool: a machine-polished cooking surface, pour spouts, a hanging hole and a 1,000°F oven rating, at roughly 8 lb. The Lodge Chef Collection is lighter in the hand, has sloped sides for tossing and a helper handle, and is the easier one to learn on. Reviewers consistently praise Smithey's smooth finish and seasoning; Lodge owners praise its durability and value.

  • Choose the Smithey No. 12 if you want a polished, heirloom-style skillet with pour spouts, a hanging hole and the highest heat tolerance, and you don't mind the weight.
  • Choose the Lodge Chef Collection if you want a lighter 12-inch skillet with sloped sides and a helper handle that is forgiving for everyday cooking and easy to replace.

Prices

  • Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet: $129.00 at eBay (last seen Nov 9)
  • Lodge 12-Inch Chef Collection Skillet: $39.90 at Amazon (last seen Nov 10)
  • Difference: the Lodge 12-Inch Chef Collection Skillet is $89.10 cheaper than the Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet at the latest prices (Nov 9 and Nov 10)
Smithey
Smithey No. 12 Skillet

Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet

Smithey No. 12 Skillet

$129.00at eBayChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • Polished surface turns non-stick faster than rough cast iron
  • Pour spouts on both sides for clean pouring
  • Hanging hole and long ergonomic handle
  • Oven-safe to 1,000°F
  • Made in the USA with a vintage-inspired finish
Cons
  • Very heavy at nearly 8 lb
  • No helper handle for two-handed lifting
  • Polished finish needs careful seasoning to keep
  • Costs more than mass-market cast iron
Lodge
Lodge 12-Inch Chef Collection Cast-Iron Skillet

Lodge 12-Inch Chef Collection Skillet

Lodge 12-Inch Chef Collection Cast-Iron Skillet

$39.90at AmazonChecked 14 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • Lighter than the Smithey with a helper handle
  • Sloped sides suit tossing and sliding food out
  • Works on induction, gas, electric, grill and campfire
  • Widely available and easy to replace
  • Proven Lodge durability
Cons
  • Rough texture takes longer to become non-stick
  • No pour spouts
  • Lower 572°F oven rating
  • Short main handle can feel cramped with a hot pan

What separates them

Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron SkilletLodge 12-Inch Chef Collection Skillet
Cooking surfaceMachine-polished, satin-smooth finish that seasons toward non-stick quicklyStandard Lodge pebbled texture that takes longer to build a non-stick layer
WeightAbout 7 lb 15⅞ oz, heavy even for cast ironLighter Chef Collection profile with a helper handle for lifting
Side wallsStraight 2¼ in sides, good for searing and bakingSloped sides, easier for tossing and sliding food out
Max oven temperatureRated to 1,000°FRated to 572°F
Pour spouts and hanging holeBoth includedNo pour spouts; helper handle instead
HandleLong, ergonomic handle; no helper handleShort main handle plus a helper handle on the opposite side
OriginMade in Charleston, South CarolinaMade in the USA (Lodge, South Pittsburg, Tennessee)
CarePre-seasoned; hand wash, dry and re-season as neededPre-seasoned; hand wash, dry and re-season after use; not dishwasher safe

Price history

$220.00$39.90
Nov 6Nov 11
  • Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet: lowest $210.00 on Nov 6 at Drayton Hall Preservation Trust; $220.00 on Nov 11.
  • Lodge 12-Inch Chef Collection Skillet: lowest $39.90 on Nov 9 at Amazon; $39.90 on Nov 11.

Prices at every store

Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet

  • East ForkNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $210.00Checked Nov 9
    Visit East Fork
  • Three Bales Home SupplyNew

    In stock

    $220.00Checked 14 h ago
    Visit Three Bales Home Supply
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by hanguy46 (100% positive, 23 ratings)Ships from Vietnam · duties may applyReturns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $129.00Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit eBay
  • Drayton Hall Preservation TrustNew

    Availability unknown

    $210.00Checked Nov 5
    Visit Drayton Hall Preservation Trust

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 4 stores and price history →

Lodge 12-Inch Chef Collection Skillet

  • eBayNew

    In stockSold by patterndata (99.7% positive, 20,210 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $39.95Free shippingChecked 14 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $39.90Free shippingChecked 14 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • eBayOpen box

    Availability unknownSold by homesteadpicker64 (100% positive, 2,200 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $59.69+ $14.89 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 2 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecSmithey No. 12 Cast Iron SkilletLodge 12-Inch Chef Collection Skillet
Non StickYes (naturally nonstick surface)Yes
Heat TypeGas, Electric, Fire, InductionCampfire, Gas, Grill, Oven
Induction ReadyYesYes
Stove CompatibilityInduction stove, Electric stove, Gas stove, Sto…Induction stove, Any stovetop
Even HeatingYesYes
Oven SafeYesYes
Max Temperature1,000°F (oven-safe)572 Degrees F
Included AccessoriesPour spouts, Holes for hangingFrying Pan
Diameter12 in (top)12"
SizeNo. 1212"
Height2.25 in2.12 IN
Length18.2" (Handle to Handle)13.5 IN
Show all 27 specsShow fewer specs
SpecSmithey No. 12 Cast Iron SkilletLodge 12-Inch Chef Collection Skillet
Width12 in8.75 IN
Dutch OvenNoNo
Pan MaterialCast IronCast Iron
Model Numbern/a—
Weight7 lb, 15⅞ oz—
Cooking Surface10 in—
Sides2¼ in—
Induction CompatibleYes—
WokNo—
Wok PanNo—

What reviewers say

Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet

Owners of Smithey skillets generally praise the smooth, polished cooking surface and the solid American build. The main complaints are the weight and the price compared with ordinary cast iron.

What people mention
  • SurfacePraisedOwners say the polished finish is noticeably smoother and more nonstick than rougher cast iron once seasoned.
  • WeightCriticisedThe roughly 8.7 lb pan is tiring to lift, pour from and wash, especially when full.
  • HeatingPraisedReviewers report even heat and good searing on the stovetop and in the oven.
  • PriceCriticisedBuyers note it costs several times a basic Lodge skillet of the same size.

Lodge 12-Inch Chef Collection Skillet

Owners praise the even heating, heat retention and the smoother surface of the Chef Collection. Many find the curved sides and helper handle easier to work with than the standard Lodge skillet. The main complaints are weight and the upkeep of bare cast iron.

What people mention
  • HeatingPraisedOwners say it heats evenly and holds heat well for searing and roasting.
  • SurfacePraisedReviewers find the Chef Collection surface smoother than the standard Lodge skillet.
  • WeightCriticisedMany owners say the pan is heavy and hard to handle one-handed.
  • CareMixedBuyers accept the seasoning routine but note it takes regular effort and no dishwasher.
Reviews
  • We've Recommended Non-Toxic Kitchen Gear for Years—These Are Our Tested Picks - MyRecipes Is Better in the App All your recipes at your fing

Questions and answers

Which is better for searing steak?
The Smithey. Its polished surface and straight 2¼ in sides hold heat well and release a crusted steak more cleanly once seasoned. The Lodge works too, but its rougher texture can grip the crust at first.
Which is easier for a beginner?
The Lodge Chef Collection. Its lighter weight, sloped sides and helper handle make it more forgiving to lift and toss. The Smithey rewards good seasoning habits but is heavier and less tolerant of neglect.
Which lasts longer?
Both are cast iron and can last generations if kept dry and seasoned. The Smithey's polished finish can be restored with re-seasoning; the Lodge's rougher surface is harder to damage in the first place.
Is the Smithey worth stepping up to?
If you cook often and want a smoother, faster-seasoning surface, pour spouts and a higher oven rating, yes. If you want a lighter pan for everyday tossing and don't need those extras, the Lodge is the practical pick.
Can both go in the oven and on induction?
Yes. Both are oven-safe and induction-compatible. The Smithey is rated to 1,000°F; the Lodge to 572°F, which covers most baking and roasting.
Do either have pour spouts?
Only the Smithey has pour spouts, on both sides. The Lodge Chef Collection has a helper handle instead, with no spouts.

Ask our shopping agent

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Enter to send, Shift+Enter for a new line

More comparisons

  • Smithey No. 12 Skillet vs Victoria 12-Inch Cast-Iron Skillet
  • Lodge 12-Inch Chef Collection Cast-Iron Skillet vs Lodge 12" Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
  • Smithey No. 12 Skillet vs Lodge 12" Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
  • Smithey No. 12 Skillet vs All-Clad Essentials Hard Anodized Nonstick Skillet

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best 12-inch skillets
  • Best 12-inch cast iron skillets
CannerNo—
Capacity—10
Lid Included—No
Dishwasher Safe—No
Care Instructions—Season after use