Table of Contents
- What the Skillet Is
- Design and Specs
- About Smithey Ironware
- Availability and Price
- Why This Matters
- Conclusion
- Sources
What the Skillet Is
The No. 11 American Anniversary Skillet is a standard No. 11 cast iron skillet with one notable change: a custom-cast in-flight American Bald Eagle embossed at the center of the interior. The eagle motif is meant to reference the country's 250th anniversary (1776–2026) and the role cast iron has played in American kitchens across every era — from open-fire frontier cooking to modern home ranges.
Outside of the commemorative design, it shares the same construction as Smithey's regular cast iron line: a hand-polished interior, no chemical coatings, signature dual pour spouts, and a three-hole helper handle.
Design and Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 17 inches |
| Width | 11 inches |
| Cook surface diameter | 9.25 inches |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs |
| Interior finish | Hand-polished, pre-seasoned |
| Coating | None (chemical-free) |
| Country of manufacture | North Charleston, SC, USA |
The polished interior is Smithey's signature feature. Unlike most cast iron — including Lodge, which ships with a rougher machine-cast surface — Smithey grinds and polishes each piece by hand and machine to a satin-smooth finish. The result is a naturally non-stick surface that improves with use and doesn't require a break-in period of years.
About Smithey Ironware
Smithey was founded in 2015 by Isaac Morton, who started by restoring vintage cast iron pieces in his woodshed and gifting them to friends and family. He sold the company's first handcrafted piece that same year as its only employee. By 2026, Smithey employs 65 people and distributes to more than 550 retailers nationwide.
All manufacturing takes place at the company's facility on a former Naval Base in North Charleston. The company backs every piece with a lifetime guarantee. Carbon steel cookware, added in 2018 via a partnership with blacksmith Robert Thomas, rounds out the product line alongside cast iron skillets, Dutch ovens, griddles, and saucepans.
Availability and Price
- Price: $210
- Where to buy: smithey.com exclusively
- Availability window: Through the end of 2026, or while supplies last
- No retail or third-party distribution has been announced for this limited edition
The $210 price sits in line with Smithey's regular No. 10 Skillet ($180) and No. 12 Skillet ($220), so buyers are paying standard Smithey pricing with the anniversary design included — not a collector markup.
Why This Matters
For home cooks who already own or are considering premium cast iron, this release is worth knowing about for two reasons. First, the limited window and patriotic hook make it a plausible gift purchase before the Semiquincentennial celebrations peak in July 2026. Second, Smithey's core value proposition — a polished, US-made cast iron that performs like vintage cookware from day one — is unchanged in this edition, meaning it isn't a vanity object; it's a fully functional skillet.
Shoppers comparing cast iron options will also find this useful as a benchmark: at $210 for an 11-inch skillet, Smithey is priced well above Lodge (which runs $20–$40 for comparable sizes) but below Le Creuset and Staub enameled options, and comparable to other premium bare cast iron brands. Buyers are paying for the polished finish and American manufacturing, not just the eagle.
Conclusion
Smithey's No. 11 American Anniversary Skillet is a time-limited product tied to a real milestone, made by an established American manufacturer with a consistent track record. It's available only through smithey.com for $210, through December 2026 or while supplies last. Home cooks interested in adding a collectible, high-performing cast iron piece to their kitchen — or looking for a meaningful gift — should act before the anniversary window closes.