Field Company vs Smithey: smooth 10-inch cast iron skillets compared

Both makers sell cast iron that is smooth from the first day rather than as it comes from the mold. Field says it machines its skillets smooth, modeled on vintage pans, and pre-seasons them with organic oil. Smithey says it buffs, grinds and polishes the cooking surface to a satin-like finish. Both are made in the USA, and both makers say to wash by hand, dry on the stove and oil.

In the everyday size Field’s No. 8 is 10¼ inches across with an 8¾-inch cooking surface and weighs 4.5 lb. Smithey’s No. 10 is 10 inches across with a 9-inch cooking surface and weighs about 6.7 lb. Smithey is about 2 lb heavier and has two things Field leaves off: pour spouts and a helper handle opposite the main one, so Smithey measures 16.5 inches handle to handle against Field’s 16⅛ inches long. Field says its curved walls pour cleanly from anywhere around the rim instead.

Smithey gives the size of the flat base under the No. 10, 9 inches, and says a skillet works best on a burner sized to its underside, so you can check it against your burner or induction zone before you buy. Field doesn’t give its base size. It says the raised ring under its skillets sits 0.04 inch proud and keeps the pan balanced on a glass or ceramic top.

Choose Field if you want the lighter pan to lift and pour one-handed, and don’t need spouts. Choose Smithey if you want the spouts, a second handle for lifting it full, and the base size printed for your burner; its 5.5-quart Dutch oven lid also fits the No. 10. Neither gives a top oven temperature, and both go on a grill or over a fire.