I can’t count how many skillets I’ve gone through in my life… it’s a lot.

Every few years it seems the skillets need replaced. They’re scratched or warped or just plain worn out. So investing in a Smithey Cast Iron skillet was a good decision, because it will last a lifetime.

The 8” skillet arrived pre-seasoned by hand with several layers of grapeseed oil. A light, warm-water rinse and dry, and it was ready to use. However, I decided to go ahead and re-season the skillet a bit more before using, just to ensure nothing would stick.

I used the oven method, adding a little avocado oil to the skillet and and leaving it in the 450 degree oven for an hour. This worked perfectly.

My first test was using the skillet to cook an egg. It cooked a delicious egg; in fact, this No. 8 Smithey Cast Iron Chef Skillet is touted as having the the perfect curved interior sides to promote movement and flipping. This proved to be true.

It has a longer handle so it keeps your hands away from the heat, which is a nice feature, too. I also purchased the leather skillet sleeve, which makes it easy to pick up and maneuver the hot skillet.

My second test was to see how biscuits would perform in the skillet. A picture is worth a thousand words… enough said. They were buttery and flaky with an excellent crispy exterior.

Smithey Ironware’s products are not inexpensive, but sometimes its worth paying extra to get quality. And quality is exactly what you can expect with all their products, which gives Smithey a big IMBHO-yes.

I am fascinated with this company’s backyard beginnings and how they make their products now. This company is a testament to the skilled workforce in America providing us with the best of “American Made”.

As you watch the video below, you can tell there is a lot of love, time, attention and pride put into each of the skillets Smithey makes.

Not only are Smithey Ironware skillets great kitchen tools, but they are outstandingly beautiful, too.

You can check out the Smithey Ironware website here.

—IMBHO Contributor: Fran F

As an added bonus, here’s the biscuit recipe I used. In all the years I have attempted to make biscuits, this is the first time I wanted to eat more than one. Prior to this success, all other attempts resulted in hockey pucks. :)