Head-to-Head Comparison
Field Company No. 10 vs Smithey No. 12: Best Cast Iron Skillet
Two premium American-made cast iron skillets compared. The Field Company wins for daily use with its 35% lighter weight, while the Smithey offers a larger cooking surface and vintage collector appeal.
Winner
Field Company
No. 10 Cast Iron Skillet
8.6
$145VS
Smithey
No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet
8.7
$200R3 Research Verdict
Two premium American-made cast iron skillets compared. The Field Company wins for daily use with its 35% lighter weight, while the Smithey offers a larger cooking surface and vintage collector appeal.
Updated Feb 3, 20268 attributes comparedBy R3 Research Team
Field for Daily Use, Smithey for Collectors
Research-backed recommendation
The Bottom Line
For most families cooking daily, the Field Company No. 10 is my recommendation. The 35% weight reduction is genuinely transformative—your wrist will thank you during weeknight cooking. At $145, you get meaningful improvements over Lodge without entering collector-grade pricing.
For cast iron enthusiasts who appreciate vintage aesthetics, the Smithey No. 12 delivers. The extra-smooth surface evokes classic Griswold pans, and the 12-inch size provides more cooking surface for family meals. If you display your cookware or value that heirloom collector feel, the $200 premium makes sense.
The Weight Factor
This is the key differentiator. Cast iron is inherently heavy, and that weight adds up during meal prep. Field Company specifically addressed this complaint with their lightweight design:
- Field Company: Noticeably lighter when lifting from stove to sink
- Smithey: Traditional cast iron weight you expect
If you've ever thought "I love cast iron cooking, but I dread lifting this pan," Field Company solved that problem.
Size Considerations
The No. 10 vs No. 12 difference matters:
- No. 10 (10-inch): Perfect for 2-3 servings, eggs for breakfast, single-pan meals
- No. 12 (12-inch): Better for family dinners, larger cuts of meat, meal prep batches
If you regularly cook for 4+ people or meal prep, Smithey's extra surface area is genuinely useful. For smaller households or weeknight convenience, Field Company's size is sufficient.
When to Choose Each
Choose Field Company if:
- You cook 4-5+ times per week and want daily convenience
- Weight matters to you (smaller households, wrist concerns)
- You want performance improvements without collector pricing
- 10-inch size fits your typical cooking needs
Choose Smithey if:
- You appreciate vintage cast iron aesthetics and collector pieces
- You cook for larger families and need the extra surface area
- Display-worthy cookware is important to you
- You prioritize the smoothest possible surface finish
Pros & Cons at a Glance
Quick summary of each product's strengths and weaknesses
Field Company
No. 10 Cast Iron Skillet
Winner
Pros
- Better Weight
- Better Price
- Better Score
Cons
- Loses on Cooking Surface
- Loses on Surface Finish
Smithey
No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet
Pros
- Better Cooking Surface
- Better Surface Finish
Cons
- Loses on Weight
- Loses on Price
- Loses on Score
Who Wins Each Category?
A quick breakdown of how these products compare head-to-head
Weight
Field Company
Win
Field Company's weight reduction is genuinely noticeable during weeknight cooking
Cooking Surface
Smithey
Win
Smithey's larger surface area better accommodates family meals and larger cuts
Surface Finish
Smithey
Win
Both release eggs beautifully, but Smithey's finish is noticeably smoother
Price
Field Company
Win
Field Company delivers meaningful improvements at a lower price point
Score
Field Company
Win
Field's weight advantage gives it the edge in overall performance
Origin
Tie
Both proudly American-made in the same city
Handle Design
Tie
Both designs aid safe lifting of heavy cast iron
Oven Safety
Tie
Cast iron handles any oven temperature safely
Winner
Tie
Which One Is Right For You?
Personalized recommendations based on your priorities
Buy Field Company If You...Winner
- Daily cooks who want lighter weight for convenience
- Weeknight meal prep where pan maneuverability matters
- Households needing 10-inch size for typical meals
- Those wanting performance upgrades at reasonable pricing
Buy Smithey If You...
- Cast iron collectors who value vintage Griswold-style aesthetics
- Larger families needing 12-inch cooking surface for meals
- Home cooks who display cookware as part of kitchen decor
- Those prioritizing the smoothest possible surface finish
Head-to-Head Comparison
Detailed attribute-by-attribute breakdown
Field Company
vs3
Smithey
(3 ties)2
| Attribute | Field Company | Smithey | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight Field Company's weight reduction is genuinely noticeable during weeknight cooking | 35% lighter than Lodge | Similar to Lodge weight | Field Company |
| Cooking Surface Smithey's larger surface area better accommodates family meals and larger cuts | 10-inch (No. 10) | 12-inch (No. 12) | Smithey |
| Surface Finish Both release eggs beautifully, but Smithey's finish is noticeably smoother | Polished for excellent release | Extra-smooth vintage Griswold style | Smithey |
| Price Field Company delivers meaningful improvements at a lower price point | $145 | $200 | Field Company |
| Score Field's weight advantage gives it the edge in overall performance | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 | Field Company |
| Origin Both proudly American-made in the same city | Charleston, SC | Charleston, SC | Tie |
| Handle Design Both designs aid safe lifting of heavy cast iron | Includes helper handle | Includes helper handle | Tie |
| Oven Safety Cast iron handles any oven temperature safely | Safe to any oven temp | Safe to any oven temp | Tie |
Field Company
3 Wins
Smithey
2 Wins
Weight
Field Company
35% lighter than Lodge
Similar to Lodge weight
Field Company's weight reduction is genuinely noticeable during weeknight cooking
Cooking Surface
Smithey
10-inch (No. 10)
12-inch (No. 12)
Smithey's larger surface area better accommodates family meals and larger cuts
Surface Finish
Smithey
Polished for excellent release
Extra-smooth vintage Griswold style
Both release eggs beautifully, but Smithey's finish is noticeably smoother
Price
Field Company
$145
$200
Field Company delivers meaningful improvements at a lower price point
Score
Field Company
8.7/10
8.4/10
Field's weight advantage gives it the edge in overall performance
Origin
Tie
Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC
Both proudly American-made in the same city
Handle Design
Tie
Includes helper handle
Includes helper handle
Both designs aid safe lifting of heavy cast iron
Oven Safety
Tie
Safe to any oven temp
Safe to any oven temp
Cast iron handles any oven temperature safely
$Price Analysis
At $145 vs $200, Field Company costs $55 less while delivering meaningful daily-use improvements. That $55 difference represents meaningful savings, though Smithey's vintage collector appeal and larger size justify the premium for enthusiasts. For most families, Field Company offers the better balance of price and practical performance.
Best Time to Buy
Both brands occasionally offer direct-from-maker sales with 10-15% discounts. Consider watching during holiday seasons or checking their websites directly. If you're near Charleston, SC, both brands offer local pickup that can save on shipping.
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Independent Research
No sponsored placements. Data-driven verdicts.
1,000+ data points
Updated February 3, 2026
R
R3 Research Team
•Evidence-Based Review BoardOur multidisciplinary team of researchers, parents, and medical advisors dedicated to finding the safest products for your family.
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