Borough Furnace · Cast Iron Skillets
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet with Pour Spout
Lower PFAS concern, cast iron is a traditional, uncoated cookware material with no known Teflon-family coating risks.
Lodge cast iron skillets are made from bare cast iron seasoned with oil, not synthetic nonstick coatings. Cast iron has no established PFAS risk profile and avoids the Teflon-family coating coatings (Teflon-type coating, PFOA) associated with modern nonstick cookware. This is a materials-safe choice.
Shop Borough Furnace on Amazon →Material
Cast iron, seasoned with oil
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.
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
Lodge cast iron skillets are solid cast iron with a factory-applied oil seasoning layer (typically soybean oil). Cast iron is chemically inert when properly seasoned; the seasoning creates a non-stick surface and prevents rust and iron leaching into food. Unlike ceramic-coated or non-stick cookware, there are no synthetic coatings that degrade, flake, or release particles over time. The pour spout is integral cast iron, not a separate component, so there are no adhesives or assembly-related leaching concerns.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lodge is a US-based manufacturer with over 130 years of cast iron production and no public safety recalls or controversies on record. The company does not market PFAS claims or certifications, which is typical for traditional cast iron producers since the material category inherently avoids Teflon-family coating. Borough Furnace appears to be a retail or private-label variant; no adverse safety disclosures are documented for this line. Standard Lodge products carry no heavy metal concerns in testing literature.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron skillets like this are among the safest cookware options available because they lack non-stick coatings, enamel glazes, and fluorinated compounds. Compared to ceramic-coated cast iron (which may contain lead in glazes or crack to expose substrate) or modern non-stick aluminium (which uses Teflon-type coating), uncoated cast iron eliminates coating degradation and fume risks entirely. The trade-off is manual seasoning maintenance and longer heating times, but safety profile is superior.
If you buy it
Use vegetable oil or shortening to maintain the seasoning layer annually; hand-wash immediately after use and dry thoroughly to prevent rust. Avoid prolonged soaking or dishwasher use, which strips seasoning and promotes corrosion. Do not use on induction without checking base compatibility (most Lodge skillets work on induction). Replace only if the casting develops cracks or deep pits that cannot be re-seasoned; properly maintained cast iron lasts generations. Avoid acidic foods (tomato, wine) in poorly seasoned pans, as acid temporarily increases iron dissolution.
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 (from poorly seasoned or new cookware)
Unseasoned or damaged cast iron can release elevated iron into acidic or prolonged-contact foods. Risk is eliminated by proper initial seasoning and maintenance; well-seasoned cast iron poses no practical concern and may be beneficial for some populations.
Rust contamination from moisture or corrosion
If left wet or stored in humid conditions without oil protection, cast iron rusts. Rust itself is not toxic in small amounts but indicates loss of seasoning and potential iron exposure. This is a maintenance issue, not a material hazard.
Lead or cadmium in seasoning oil or factory coating
Lodge and Borough Furnace lines use food-grade oils for seasoning with no documented heavy metal contamination. Cast iron itself does not introduce lead or cadmium; any such contamination would be in the oil supply, which is not reported for major US manufacturers.
Coating flaking or particulate release (e.g., from enamel or non-stick)
This product is uncoated cast iron with only an oil seasoning layer, which does not flake or shed particles. The risk applies to enamelled or ceramic-coated cast iron, not this type.
Thermal stress or cracking from rapid temperature changes
Cast iron is brittle and can crack if exposed to sudden thermal shock (e.g., cold water on a hot pan). Cracking is a durability issue rather than a safety hazard unless sharp edges form; standard care (gradual heating, avoiding ice-water contact) prevents this.
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
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.