Butter Pat Industries · Cast Iron Skillets
Lancaster Cast Iron Skillet No. 8
Buy with confidence, cast iron has no PFAS risk.
Cast iron skillets are inherently PFAS-free; they rely on seasoning (oil polymerization) rather than synthetic coatings. Lancaster/Butter Pat Industries produces traditional uncoated cast iron with no nonstick Teflon-family coating or chemical treatments. No PFAS concerns apply to this material type.
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Cast iron (bare or seasoned)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Uncoated safe material
Bare, uncoated material (cast iron, stainless, carbon steel, or glass) with no surface treatment to contain PFAS.
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Lancaster No. 8 is bare or pre-seasoned cast iron, a ferrous alloy with no synthetic coatings, polymers, or chemical binders. Cast iron does not leach problematic chemicals into food under normal cooking conditions. The material's primary concern is iron content in acidic or prolonged-contact foods, which is nutritionally beneficial for most users but may matter for those with iron-overload disorders. Seasoning (typically oil-based) is a physical barrier, not a chemical treatment, and poses no toxicological concern.
The brand's record and disclosure
Butter Pat Industries is a small U.S. cast iron manufacturer with no publicly documented safety recalls, certifications, or formal product testing disclosures related to the Lancaster line. The brand does not market PFAS-free status (likely because cast iron inherently has none), nor does it publish material composition reports or third-party safety testing. No established controversies, contamination reports, or regulatory actions are on record for this producer.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron skillets are among the safest cookware materials available because they have no coatings to degrade or chemicals to migrate. Unlike non-stick cookware (Teflon-type coating, ceramic), enameled cast iron (lead/cadmium risk in glazes), or aluminum (potential leaching), bare cast iron poses minimal chemical hazards. The Lancaster No. 8 is typical in this regard; brand and origin matter far less than material class for cast iron safety.
If you buy it
Maintain the seasoning layer by wiping with oil after each wash and avoid prolonged soaking or acidic storage in the pan. Cast iron can withstand all stovetop heat levels and oven use without chemical degradation. Replace only if the cooking surface becomes severely pitted, cracked, or warped; cast iron cookware is essentially permanent. Avoid cooking very acidic foods (tomatoes, vinegar, wine) in unseasoned or newly restored pans, as this can cause iron to leach more readily and strip seasoning.
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 in acidic conditions
Bare cast iron naturally leaches iron at higher rates when cooking acidic foods (tomatoes, citrus, vinegar) or when the seasoning layer is thin or damaged. This is not a toxicological hazard for most users but may be a concern for individuals with hemochromatosis or iron-overload disorders.
Seasoning layer degradation
If the pre-applied seasoning on the Lancaster No. 8 begins to flake, the underlying bare iron is exposed but poses no chemical risk, only accelerated iron leaching and sticking. Flaking is a maintenance issue, not a safety hazard.
Contamination from manufacturing or shipping
No recalls or reports of bacterial, mold, or heavy-metal contamination in Butter Pat cast iron products are documented. Standard washing before first use is recommended as routine practice.
Thermal shock or cracking
Cast iron is resistant to thermal shock compared to ceramics or enameled surfaces. Structural failure is rare and not a chemical safety concern, though large thermal swings (e.g., cold water on hot pan) can cause cracking if extreme.
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.