Cast Iron Skillet vs 12” Enameled Cast Iron Large Skillet: which is safer?

12” Enameled Cast Iron Large Skillet is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Bayou Classic Cast Iron Skillet

Bayou Classic

Cast Iron Skillet

PFAS grade

A 90/100

Overall grade

B 86/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 1

Material

Cast iron (seasoned)

Confidence

92%

PossibleRust and iron leaching

Our pick

12” Enameled Cast Iron Large Skillet

Caraway

12” Enameled Cast Iron Large Skillet

PFAS grade

A 100/100

Overall grade

A 92/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

Enameled cast iron

Confidence

82%

PossibleEnamel coating degradation and iron leaching

PossibleThermal stress fractures in glaze

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More cast iron skillets: see the full ranking