A big thank you to Smithey Ironware for sending their No. 14 Dual Handle Skillet for review. Look at this gorgeousness that is now my very favorite pan I’ve ever used.
When my husband and I got engaged, we did what most couples did at the time: we registered for housewares of all kinds at our local department store. It was just easy, and it was expected. Some of what we registered for turned out to be great purchases – we still have most of it over two decades later, including our plates and bowls {that have surprisingly few chips in them}. But, that generic cookware we registered for? I think we had two small pots from that set that were still in rotation within the first decade and all of the pans were long gone.
Those of you just starting out, let me list all the reasons to not get a cheap, discount set of cookware. Throughout the years, we’ve had pans warp past the point of useability, non-stick coatings that peeled off with time, and so many scratched up cookware surfaces. We’ve limped along with pots with uneven heating, ones that were hard to cook with and then clean up. We’ve had pans that were absolute garbage that no one should ever eat out of. I shudder to think of how much non-stick coating I inadvertently ingested in all of those years. And, each time we would retire a pan, we would replace it with something cheap from TJ Maxx or Target, spending far more overall on lesser quality pieces that needed replacing within years.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have skipped the discount, generic cookware altogether. Even if it meant I could afford only one or two pans, I would have just started small and built an entire cookware set consisting of Smithey Ironware cast iron pans. I wish I would have learned this lesson early on to avoid all that unnecessary purchasing. Sure, I would have spent more initially, but not having to buy multiple cookware sets would have been a cost saver as well as a sanity saver.
Why Smithey?
Smithey Ironware began when their founder, Isaac Morton, started restoring vintage ironware into stunningly functional cookware, which he would then gift to friends and family. After years of restoring rusty old skillets to their 19th-century glory, he began to make his own cookware. The goal was to make gorgeous cookware with modern technology and processes while still honoring the classic style of the vintage pieces he loved. From there Smithey Ironware was born.
Over a decade later, Smithey still brings that same enthusiasm for vintage styled pans made with the highest quality materials. Each of their pans are US made, have a lifetime guarantee, and many of them are engravable for those who want to gift a truly timeless gift to a loved one. The pans come pre-seasoned with 2-3 coats of pure grape seed oil that is applied by hand without any chemical coatings of any kind.
Just to be clear, this is not one of those times when form > function. Smithey Ironware products are designed to be used wherever there is heat – from kitchens to campfires and more. You can cook on all sources, from gas and fire to induction and electric, and you won’t have to worry you might scratch your stovetop. In fact, the one thing Smithey’s founder asks of his customers is that they use their Smithey pans to create great meals and memories – and not let the cookware dither in a cupboard.
Smithey Ironware No. 14 Dual Handle Skillet
I’ve been wanting a Smithey pan for years now and dreamed of owning my own family-sized Smithey polished cast iron skillet more times than I care to admit. I even featured a few Smithey pans in past gift guides, dreaming of one day cooking in one of my own. When the Smithey No. 14 Dual Handle Skillet arrived at my door, it was like it was my birthday.
Featuring a generously sized 14″ satin-smooth polished interior surface and dual ergonomic handles, the No. 14 is designed for a family feast. From roasting to searing or grilling, the No. 14 is the perfect tool for the chef who cooks for large groups of family and friends. I was so excited to find a larger cast iron skillet, and even more thrilled when I realized that the dual handles would make it so much easier to hold and use.
Once it arrived, I couldn’t wait to get it out of the box and use it to make some amazing meals. I was immediately impressed with the weight of the skillet upon opening it. It’s hefty and solidly built, but not overly heavy so it would be difficult to clean or store. As someone who has cooked quite a bit on cast iron in the past, I was surprised by how much lighter the Smithey skillet is – even with its larger size.
I had done the mental cast iron math and figured that it would weigh quite a bit more than pans I’ve used in the past due to its larger diameter but was pleasantly surprised when I first held it. I’m not sure how they do it, but Smithey manages to design their pieces to be as light as possible while maintaining the perfect weight for optimal heat retention. Whatever magic they used to design it, I appreciate it.
The next thing I noticed while admiring my new No. 14 was the beautiful, polished cast iron finish. When it arrives, your Smithey pan will have a copper-like finish and color, but as you use it, your skillet will patina to a grey or black finish. I’m sharing a few pictures after the first few uses so you can see how the color changes quickly with use.
Because it is made of polished cast iron, it is incredibly easy to clean. Unlike rough cast iron, which allows food to get stuck in the crevices, polished cast iron like Smithey has a smooth surface that practically wipes clean. Even though many will tell you not to, with Smithey pans you can use soap, which I love.
If you’re on the fence about trying the No. 14 Dual Handle Skillet, don’t be. This is a versatile, everyday pan that will become your go-to for just about every meal. Steam, simmer or braise with water. Heck, you can even bake in it due to the smooth round interior and even heat retention that will give exceptional results.
Invest in your kitchen
Cookware is one of those times when paying a little more for a better-quality product really pays off. After having gone through so many pots and pans in my adult life, I wish that I had found Smithey earlier and saved myself money in the long run. Now that I fell in love with the No. 14, I’m so excited to use it to make and serve meals for my family for generations. Having a skillet that will be something I can use forever makes me truly giddy with happiness.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t expect to hand down much of my furniture or many of my possessions to my kids. Things just aren’t made the way they used to be, and they certainly wouldn’t be called heirlooms. But Smithey hopes that your grandchildren will be happily using their cookware in decades to come. They designed and crafted every single Smithey to withstand the test of time and even become even better with age. Add engraving to the bottom of your pan and you have an instant heirloom in your family’s kitchen.
Shop Smithey Ironware here and see their collection of amazing cookware.
