Borough Furnace · Cast Iron Skillets
Borough Furnace 12-Inch Cast Iron Braising Skillet
Lower PFAS concern, cast iron cookware is not a typical PFAS vector.
Borough Furnace cast iron skillets are traditional bare or seasoned cast iron with no nonstick coating, Teflon-family coating, or water-repellent treatment. Cast iron does not require PFAS-based coatings and is a well-established lower-concern cookware material.
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Cast iron, seasoned surface
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Uncoated safe material
Bare, uncoated material (cast iron, stainless, carbon steel, or glass) with no surface treatment to contain PFAS.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Borough Furnace skillets are cast iron, a naturally non-reactive material that does not leach chemicals into food when properly seasoned. The seasoned surface (typically oil-polymerized at high heat) creates a non-stick barrier and prevents direct contact between iron and acidic or prolonged-contact foods. Cast iron cookware has no synthetic coatings, glazes, or enamels that could degrade and release contaminants over time, making material composition concerns minimal compared to non-stick or ceramic alternatives.
The brand's record and disclosure
Borough Furnace is a small US-based cast iron manufacturer with no public safety certifications, third-party testing disclosures, or documented recalls on record. The brand maintains a silent stance on PFAS and heavy metals, which is typical for traditional cast iron makers who rely on material inherent safety rather than testing claims. No credible controversies or safety complaints specific to Borough Furnace skillets have been documented in public safety databases or consumer reporting.
How it compares in its category
Bare cast iron skillets like this one avoid the chemical hazards present in modern non-stick cookware (Teflon-type coating, PFOA, PFAS), ceramic-coated cast iron (lead or cadmium in glazes), and enameled cast iron (potential glaze cracking and ceramic dust). Compared to stainless steel, cast iron does not leach nickel or chromium, though it may contribute small amounts of dietary iron if seasoning wears significantly. Borough Furnace's simple production method (casting and seasoning) is representative of the safest category of cookware from a chemical hazard standpoint.
If you buy it
Maintain the seasoning by oiling after each wash and storing dry; a degraded seasoning layer increases surface rust and potential iron content in acidic foods, though this is a taste and texture issue rather than a safety hazard. Avoid prolonged storage of acidic foods (tomato sauce, vinegar, citrus) in the skillet when seasoning is thin, as this accelerates rust and iron dissolution. Do not use in a dishwasher or soak overnight, as this strips seasoning. The skillet is oven-safe to typical household temperatures (up to 400-500°F); no fume risk exists as cast iron has no synthetic coating to off-gas.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Iron leaching into food
Well-seasoned cast iron does not leach iron; however, if seasoning degrades significantly or is stripped, prolonged contact with acidic foods can increase dietary iron content. This is most relevant for individuals on iron-restricted diets, not a toxicity hazard for most consumers.
Lead or cadmium in casting material
Cast iron cookware is not typically contaminated with lead or cadmium; these hazards are specific to ceramic glazes, enamel coatings, or painted finishes. No credible reports exist for Borough Furnace or standard cast iron casting processes introducing these metals.
Rust formation and storage degradation
Improper storage or extended exposure to moisture can cause surface rust, which is not a health hazard but indicates seasoning loss. Rust is cosmetic and functional (affects non-stick properties) rather than toxic.
Thermal shock or casting defects
Cast iron skillets are heat-resistant and rarely fracture from thermal shock at normal cooking temperatures. Borough Furnace skillets have no documented manufacturing defects or fracture incidents on record.
Coating or glaze hazards
Borough Furnace produces bare seasoned cast iron with no synthetic coatings, glazes, or ceramic finishes, eliminating hazards associated with coating degradation, Teflon-type coating fumes, or enamel lead.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 92% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Cast Iron Skillets
Caraway
12” Enameled Cast Iron Large Skillet
Enameled cast iron
Lower-concern cookware; enameled cast iron is an inherently safer base, and Caraway has publicly committed to PFAS-free formulations.
⚠Risky category by default
Lodge
Cast Iron Classic Cast Iron Skillets
cast iron (bare or seasoned with oil)
Lower PFAS concern, bare cast iron has no synthetic coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Lodge
Cast Iron Skillet Pan 6"
cast iron, seasoned with oil
Lower PFAS concern, bare cast iron with traditional seasoning, no Teflon-family coating coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
More cast iron skillets grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.