Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet vs Lodge 12" Cast Iron Skillet

Both are 12-inch, 8-pound cast iron skillets with 10-inch cooking surfaces, so the choice comes down to finish and feel. The Smithey No. 12 has a polished, satin-smooth cooking surface and pour spouts on both sides, and owners say it turns non-stick faster and cleans easier than rough cast iron. The Lodge 12-inch is the workhorse: machine-finished but unpolished, oven-rated to 550°F, and built to take abuse without worry. Buy the Smithey if you want a smoother pan you'll keep for decades; buy the Lodge if you want a tough, no-fuss skillet.

• Choose the Smithey No. 12 if you want a polished, smoother cooking surface that seasons into a glassy non-stick finish and you don't mind hand-care.
• Choose the Lodge 12-inch if you want a rugged everyday skillet that shrugs off high heat and rough handling.