Welcome to the Journal
We love cast iron at Smithey – that shouldn’t come as a surprise. We spend our days researching it, designing it, manufacturing it, and talking to people about it. What may be surprising is that we haven’t always loved cast iron grill pans. Give us a polished, seasoned traditional cast iron skillet any day of the week for searing, sautéing and baking. But for grill marks and smokey (?) flavor we’ve always felt that going outside and lighting up the charcoal grill is the way to go....
Read more About Learning to Love the Grill PanSmithey's commander of cast iron finishing on giving back, staff suppers, customer appreciation, and the joy of keeping Smithey’s home fires burning. Stephen, in addition to your many talents, you’ve also taken up the mantle of spearheading our community outreach efforts. What’s the latest on that front? Well, before I came to work for Smithey three years ago, I ran restaurant kitchens for 20 years, most recently as a sous chef here in Charleston, so the food and beverage and hos...
Read more About Cast of Characters | Stephen![Getting Started With Your Smithey](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/Screenshot_2025-01-03_at_10.20.01_AM_1000x.png?v=1735918193)
Pre-seasoned and ready to use—watch our quick guide on how to break in your Smithey!
Read more About Getting Started With Your Smithey![How to Clean Your Smithey](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/Screenshot_2024-10-28_at_12.32.49_PM_1000x.jpg?v=1730141304)
Cleaning your Smithey is easier than you think! Hint: soap is okay.
Read more About How to Clean Your Smithey![Our Guide to The Perfect Fried Egg](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/Screenshot_2024-10-04_at_9.50.19_AM_1000x.jpg?v=1728050005)
Frying an egg in Smithey’s cast iron or carbon steel skillet is a breeze with just a few straightforward steps. Follow this tutorial and enjoy your perfectly fried egg. SHOP THE NO. 8 SKILLET ...
Read more About Our Guide to The Perfect Fried Egg![A Warm Welcome to Oyster Roast Season with Lowcountry Oyster Company](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/mwc-lowco-builder-110-large_1000x.jpg?v=1726860727)
PHOTO BY LAWSON BUILDER As the leaves slowly begin to change and a cool breeze sweeps through Charleston, we know it’s almost time to celebrate one of the Lowcountry’s most cherished traditions:...
Read more About A Warm Welcome to Oyster Roast Season with Lowcountry Oyster Company![Proud to Partner](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/Screenshot_2024-06-26_at_2.48.19_PM_1000x.png?v=1719427717)
Isaac Morton, founder of Smithey, explains why Smithey is proud to launch this skillet in support of Yellowstone Forever's mission to protect and preserve the park's ecosystem and the co...
Read more About Proud to Partner![Axis Deer Fajitas with Danielle Prewett](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/Deer_Fajitas_1000x.jpg?v=1718651358)
SHOP THE NO. 12 COMBO SET
Read more About Axis Deer Fajitas with Danielle Prewett![Look for the maker’s mark - The Little Farmhouse Skillet](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/makers_mark_video_poster_image_square_1000x.jpg?v=1714051991)
To celebrate the launch of this new skillet, and to honor the blacksmiths behind it, the first run of Little Farmhouse skillets will include a unique little farmhouse “maker’s mark”. Just like an ...
Read more About Look for the maker’s mark - The Little Farmhouse Skillet![Why Chefs Love Carbon Steel](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/why_chefs_love_carbon_steel_square_1000x.jpg?v=1714052007)
We visited Mike Lata, chef and co-owner of Fig and The Ordinary, at his home in Charleston, SC, to learn why Smithey’s carbon steel is a chef’s first choice. SHOP THE LITTLE FARMHOUSE ...
Read more About Why Chefs Love Carbon Steel![Friday Fish Dinner with Abundant Seafood](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/a_-_1_26_1000x.png?v=1692374552)
We love the idea of a Friday fish dinner here at Smithey. When our friends at Abundant Seafood let us know that they would be sourcing beautiful Pacific king salmon for their fish market here i...
Read more About Friday Fish Dinner with Abundant Seafood![A Weekend at Perini Ranch](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/cover_for_perini_journal_1000x.jpg?v=1704470588)
Chuck Wagon Cooking with the Cowboys of Perini Ranch Several weeks ago we were invited to join Tom and Lisa Perini and their team at Perini Ranch in Buffalo Gap, TX for a two day celebration of...
Read more About A Weekend at Perini Ranch![Smithey's 2023 Recap](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/14_and_spat_cropped_1000x.jpg?v=1703783042)
THANK YOU For a Great Year As the holiday season comes to a close, our team here at Smithey Ironware would like to thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. By now, many of you have ...
Read more About Smithey's 2023 Recap![So Long Summer](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/Screenshot_2023-10-09_at_5.38.07_PM_1000x.png?v=1696887529)
A big hello from the team at Smithey Ironware. In a sign that fall is near, the Lowcountry’s humidity is receding, college football is the chatter around the watercooler, an...
Read more About So Long Summer![Making the Deep Farmhouse Skillet](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/a_-_1_42_1000x.png?v=1693499287)
We put a lot of thought into every piece of cookware we make. Take a sneak peek behind the scenes of crafting our carbon steel cookware and the new Deep Farmhouse Skillet. SHOP NOW ...
Read more About Making the Deep Farmhouse Skillet![How to Sear the Perfect Steak](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/a_-_1_29_1000x.png?v=1692649778)
Houston Chef Chris Shepherd recently schooled us on how to make the perfect steak. HINT: Your cast iron does most of the work for you. SHOP THE NO. 14
Read more About How to Sear the Perfect Steak![Playing with fire featuring Chef Chris Shepherd and The No. 14 Skillet](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/a_-_1_11_1000x.png?v=1685028672)
We flew down to Houston to visit with Chef Chris Shepherd and break in our new No. 14 skillet. He put it to work showing us how to cook over coals and flames while feeding us the freshest fish tac...
Read more About Playing with fire featuring Chef Chris Shepherd and The No. 14 Skillet![Perfecting Paella with Chef Juan Cassalett of Malagón](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/a_-_1_10_1000x.png?v=1684773963)
Perfecting Paella with Chef Juan Cassalett of Malagón
Read more About Perfecting Paella with Chef Juan Cassalett of Malagón![Tips From a Crabber During Soft Shell Crab Season](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/a_-_1_2_1000x.jpg?v=1680021454)
For a few glorious weeks every spring, Charleston’s blue crabs begin to shed their shells and we are blessed with soft shell season here in the lowcountry. Out on the docks at Shem Creek, we w...
Read more About Tips From a Crabber During Soft Shell Crab Season![Smooth Operator](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/qa_-_1_540x_1e9117c9-3a11-4cb4-82d3-ee0e1ee2b3a9_1000x.webp?v=1711057008)
There are few things in life more satisfying than watching a perfectly cooked egg slide around in your cast iron skillet. Watching that over-easy egg release from the pan and onto your plate wit...
Read more About Smooth Operator![Letter From Isaac 12|30|22](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/qa_-_1_1_540x_0077a382-5548-4f68-b0bb-a10c18e561d4_1000x.webp?v=1711056720)
As the Holiday season comes to a close, the team at Smithey Ironware would like to thank you for your continued support and loyalty. By now, many of you have either given or received a Smithey....
Read more About Letter From Isaac 12|30|22![Letter From Isaac 9|22|22](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/qa_-_1_3_540x_ca854751-05da-43e0-85d1-1fa0db83087d_1000x.jpg?v=1711056435)
WE HOPE YOU'LL REACH FOR A SMITHEY THIS SEASON With a sweltering summer nearly behind us here at Smithey, we are gearing up for a busy and exciting fall season. The return of autumn freshens our...
Read more About Letter From Isaac 9|22|22![The Making of The No. 11 Deep Skillet](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/qa_-_1_1_540x_b656cb5d-6cd4-4f36-8f54-7eba51c9a312_1000x.webp?v=1711055377)
We take design seriously at Smithey. After all, we’re not in the disposable cookware business – every Smithey is intended to last a lifetime with the hope that it will become a beloved family he...
Read more About The Making of The No. 11 Deep Skillet![Smithey Outdoors](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/000399c6cc58d16842360211ac8321b3_540x_379dcfdf-b464-4472-b86a-21b86ffa39ce_1000x.jpg?v=1711055078)
Cooking outdoors with cast iron is a tradition as old as time. Think of the settlers crossing the country in covered wagons while cooking with their cast iron skillets for every meal. Although,...
Read more About Smithey Outdoors![Carbon Steel or Cast Iron? Your FAQs Answered](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/23b1349090f606f029abd6bb561952dd_540x_c8bfebef-3c3a-4d3b-8e87-b89c142bfdbf_1000x.webp?v=1711054617)
THE BIG PICTURE? CARBON STEEL AND CAST IRON PANS ARE MUCH MORE SIMILAR THAN THEY ARE DIFFERENT. A BRIEF INTRODUCTION It should come as no surprise that we have our fair share of history buffs ...
Read more About Carbon Steel or Cast Iron? Your FAQs Answered![Caring for your Cookware](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/3361f81d7948910339c6becafd94f4fe_540x_56b88179-aa80-46d9-963e-e095e3b2abbf_1000x.webp?v=1711054260)
Cast iron and carbon steel cookware is nothing to be afraid of, and can be easily cared for, when you learn a few simple tips. Let us walk you through our recommended cleaning and care process, wh...
Read more About Caring for your Cookware![Introducing the Wok](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/e90925c13a6d4a27a5381cd4a15053dc_540x_33080306-7f67-4247-b842-fcbd4fdd8710_1000x.webp?v=1711054026)
"...It's one of the easiest things to use..." direct from Shuai Wang, chef and owner of Jackrabbit Filly in Charleston, SC.
Read more About Introducing the Wok![Handmade: The Carbon Steel Wok](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/3b17798704f71e948a0c4111c968e11d_540x_5e8880c3-63f9-4ccb-a949-a06e846971ab_1000x.webp?v=1711053876)
A behind the scenes look from Eater's Handmade series. See how we make the carbon steel wok from start to finish.
Read more About Handmade: The Carbon Steel Wok![Letter From Isaac 9|28|21](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/7f7b630b93d6aebac81fb7dfa7e9d6f5_540x_f5c852a5-cc74-496c-a4cd-15f3daadcaf0_1000x.jpg?v=1711056468)
September is an atypical month for me. Over the last 20 years - somehow - I’ve managed to carve one of its weeks away in reserve as “off the grid time”. A time to detach from noise, reconnect to ...
Read more About Letter From Isaac 9|28|21![Cast of Characters | Mila](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/b3c8ca120f8c41bc37d0576b79d82522_540x_e2a2f986-4856-4411-9b85-b4a38c437d8b_1000x.webp?v=1711053466)
Veteran team member Mila on the importance of Smithey’s internal community. Mila, tell us how you came to Smithey and a bit about your role here. It’s hard to remember how I even got here [laugh...
Read more About Cast of Characters | Mila![Celebrate Adventure](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/0c19b9e4603602497b03671a90ec75b2_540x_d9ea5413-5398-40f7-906b-40f3dbef4fd8_1000x.webp?v=1711053242)
As you celebrate your freedom this summer, let us share in your cast iron cooking adventures and beyond... This summer has gotten off to a busy start, with many of us traveling, supporting our ...
Read more About Celebrate Adventure![Learning to Love the Grill Pan](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/dc7acf5abddf267b1c878a07b78ab680_540x_7059b0cd-678f-4599-8a9c-1583922d6469_1000x.webp?v=1711052920)
We love cast iron at Smithey – that shouldn’t come as a surprise. We spend our days researching it, designing it, manufacturing it, and talking to people about it. What may be surprising is that ...
Read more About Learning to Love the Grill Pan![Letter From Isaac 5|13|21](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/5248fdd2ffc535f6694c4d29fa49f84c_540x_217d3cd1-3b6e-4e0d-83bd-c8d5fdd25b90_1000x.jpg?v=1711056456)
It is a busy spring here at Smithey. I love seeing our team march around the shop with pep and purpose. A year ago, we were nervous and concerned about the future. Today we are in sync and excite...
Read more About Letter From Isaac 5|13|21![Cast of Characters | Oscar](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/4f032d8674b801a3886c02bebcbff639_540x_74a8d686-2d87-465f-80e5-1fd18b84a4db_1000x.webp?v=1711052354)
Meet Oscar Mencias, Smithey’s shift supervisor, whose office is smack dab in the middle of the warehouse where everything from manufacturing to shipping occurs. Oscar, you’re originally from Ven...
Read more About Cast of Characters | Oscar![Cast of Characters | Walter](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/04ae42283c7d064dc2d60a4faf0a3d09_540x_bb23e75f-ffe5-48eb-baeb-6bb1014c01b1_1000x.webp?v=1711052095)
Smithey’s resident seasoning artist opens up about cast iron cooking, common misconceptions, and his personal seasoning technique known as "the right touch". Did you grow up with cast iron on th...
Read more About Cast of Characters | Walter![Behind the Scenes: Documenting Smithey's Holiday 2020 Collection](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/75029538595070fe9c7bd5a91a9bd347_540x_d049ff24-b1a5-41d2-9f87-99052efd475c_1000x.webp?v=1711051937)
Inside the making of our latest photoshoot Earlier this month, we spent two days bringing the Smithey collection to life through vibrant photography... But the work that went into the photoshoot...
Read more About Behind the Scenes: Documenting Smithey's Holiday 2020 Collection![Cast of Characters | Annie](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/19d8967ea22bfd54c5123673d2fd346b_540x_9365bf5e-27a9-4dc8-be2f-1e8382fb314f_1000x.webp?v=1711051398)
Our friend Annie Cole Arthur is a talented Charleston-based blacksmith whose metalworking career was forged from a passion for art blended with a love of science. When she's not putting her hands ...
Read more About Cast of Characters | Annie![Cast of Characters | Will](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/ff25911a1a2bed59efb9d5e2f9c4bb67_540x_85ed00a6-0352-4c69-a273-ec5f2b37bb56_1000x.jpg?v=1711051004)
Will Copenhaver on the Dutch oven that ignited his passion for cast iron, why food tastes better when prepared in quality cookware, and how Smithey’s culture of craftsmanship is forging a new trad...
Read more About Cast of Characters | Will![Cast of Characters | Stephen](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/stephen_headshot_journal_8b19e4cc-64c3-4297-8a1f-387b580d9e79_1000x.jpg?v=1711050718)
Smithey's commander of cast iron finishing on giving back, staff suppers, customer appreciation, and the joy of keeping Smithey’s home fires burning. Stephen, in addition to your many talents, y...
Read more About Cast of Characters | Stephen![The Craft of American Cast Iron](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/craft_of_american_cast_iron_square_1000x.jpg?v=1711467810)
A behind the scenes look of how Smithey crafts premium American cast iron.
Read more About The Craft of American Cast Iron![A Letter From Isaac](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/e0eb5b7f98606eafc0d66a0dc5cb8045_540x_405903ae-616d-477a-90d1-2d29f25a967f_1000x.webp?v=1710890963)
November 26, 2019 Earlier this Fall, some old friends and I spent 10 days in southwestern Alberta. We have taken this trip for 20 years now. It is an annual pilgrimage where we marvel over the sp...
Read more About A Letter From Isaac![Handcrafted - The Farmhouse Skillet](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/handcrafted_Farmhouse_deep_Skillet_1000x.png?v=1710888045)
A genuine "Farmhouse" skillet, inspired by American Blacksmith design of the 18th and 19th century, the Smithey 12" Carbon steel skillet is as much of art as it is a cooking tool.
Read more About Handcrafted - The Farmhouse Skillet![The Seasoning Guide Part 1](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/seasoning_guide_skillet_journal_post_1000x.jpg?v=1710888208)
November 8, 2019 Let’s discuss the number one thing that we talk with people about here at Smithey: Seasoning. A quick Google search yields more articles and videos than one could ever digest ...
Read more About The Seasoning Guide Part 1![Cast of Characters | Trevor](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/cast_of_characters_trevor_square_1000x.jpg?v=1711467506)
Behind every Smithey skillet and pan is a team of people dedicated to the highest standards of quality, craftsmanship, and service. (They’re also really fun and interesting and make frequent cameo...
Read more About Cast of Characters | Trevor![Welcome to Smithey Stories](http://smithey.com/cdn/shop/articles/isaac_welcome_to_smithey_stories_1000x.jpg?v=1707340338)
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM OUR NEW & EXPANDED BLOG Stories. Recipes. Tips. Interviews. Sneak peeks. Questions and answers. When it comes to talking with the people in our Smithey community, we relis...
Read more About Welcome to Smithey Stories