Compare Cast Iron Pans
Which scores higher on safety? R3 breaks it down.
R3 scored the Smithey No.10 Cast Iron Skillet (10 Inch) 9.3/10 and the Lodge Blacklock 10.25 Inch Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 9.3/10 on the same cast iron pans scoring system, weighing safety, efficacy, and usability. The overall scores are close; the pillar breakdown below shows where they differ.
The most important dimensions, side by side.
See which one actually scores higher — and why
Free account unlocks full safety scores, spec-by-spec breakdown, and the R3 verdict on Smithey No.10 Cast Iron Skillet (10 Inch) vs Lodge Blacklock 10.25 Inch Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet.
Unlock the full Smithey No.10 Cast Iron Skillet (10 Inch) vs Lodge Blacklock 10.25 Inch Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet breakdown
Free account unlocks all safety scores, complete spec comparison, scoring rationale, and the R3 verdict on which one to buy.
Everything you need to make the call - who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
You want XRF-verified lead-free status from an artisan brand with a premium polished finish
You prefer grapeseed oil seasoning over soybean oil — a meaningful difference for soy-sensitive families
You're willing to pay a premium for the widest cooking surface (9 inches) in the verified-safe group
You want Lodge's verified safety profile with significantly lighter weight — 4.23 lbs vs 5.66 lbs for the standard Lodge
You prefer a factory-smooth cooking surface that releases food more easily right out of the box
You're comfortable with soybean oil seasoning and want the best Lodge ergonomics at a mid-range price
The main thing to know
At 6.7 lbs, the Smithey is the heaviest pan in the verified-safe group — two-handed transfer from stovetop to oven is recommended. This is the main usability trade-off vs Lodge Blacklock at the same overall score.
Lodge doesn't publish the Blacklock's cooking surface diameter, and all Lodge cast iron uses soybean oil seasoning. If either matters for your family, check the alternatives.
Skip this if you...
Weight is a concern — 6.7 lbs is the heaviest in the verified-safe group; Lodge Blacklock achieves the same overall score at 4.23 lbs
You are budget-constrained — Lodge L8SK3 at around $30 earns the same maximum safety score for a fraction of the price
The pan is currently unavailable on Amazon — verify retail availability before purchasing
You or your family have a soy allergy — Lodge uses soybean oil for all their seasoned cast iron, including the Blacklock
You need the cooking surface diameter specified — Lodge doesn't publish this for the Blacklock line
You want grapeseed or flaxseed oil seasoning — consider Smithey or Lancaster instead
Neither of these quite what you're looking for?
I've reviewed all Cast Iron Pans options at every price pointEvery Cast Iron Pans in our database is scored using R3's deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. For this comparison, we evaluated Smithey and Lodge across 3 independent criteria: Safety (73%), Efficacy (16%), Usability (11%). No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers - no sponsored content, no filler.
Both scored close to 9.3/10, so the better choice depends on your priorities. Safety is our top-weighted scoring pillar, followed by efficacy, and usability. Check which pillar matters most to your family and compare those specific scores.
R3 uses a deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. We evaluate each Cast Iron Pans across Safety, Efficacy, Usability using independently verified data. No sponsored rankings. No paid placements. Every score is fully reproducible.
Not necessarily. The overall score reflects how we weight those three pillars, but your priorities may differ. If you care most about safety, compare the safety scores directly. If budget drives your decision, the prices tell a clearer story. The "right" pick is the one that matches what matters most to your family.
Not the right match? Explore these alternatives in the same category.
