Caraway · Cast Iron Skillets
12” Enameled Cast Iron Large Skillet
Lower-concern cookware; enameled cast iron is an inherently safer base, and Caraway has publicly committed to PFAS-free formulations.
Caraway's enameled cast iron skillet uses a cast iron base (PFAS-free material) with an enamel coating. The brand has made explicit public PFAS-free commitments.
Brand says: “Caraway cookware is PFAS-free”
Shop Caraway on Amazon →Material
Enameled cast iron
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states the product is PFAS-free (self-declared).
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
This skillet is cast iron with a fired enamel glaze coating, typically a vitrified glass-like surface applied at high temperature. The enamel serves as a barrier between food and the iron substrate, eliminating the need for seasoning oils and preventing iron leaching into acidic foods. Enameled cast iron is considered one of the safest cookware bases because the enamel coating, when intact, isolates the underlying metal from direct food contact.
The brand's record and disclosure
Caraway has publicly stated a commitment to PFAS-free cookware formulations across its product line, which includes this enameled cast iron skillet. The brand has emphasized transparency around non-toxic coatings and materials. No established safety recalls or formal complaints specific to heavy metals in Caraway's enamel glazes have been documented in public databases, though independent third-party testing results for this exact model are not readily available in published form.
How it compares in its category
Enameled cast iron sits at the safer end of the cookware spectrum compared to non-stick varieties that may contain legacy PFOA or PFAS replacements. Traditional bare cast iron requires seasoning maintenance but avoids coating degradation risks. Non-stick aluminum or stainless cookware presents higher chemical complexity; enameled cast iron avoids those concerns by design. Caraway's pricing and finish quality position it in the premium-to-mid-market segment where coating durability is generally better than budget alternatives.
If you buy it
Inspect the enamel coating regularly for chips or cracks, which expose underlying iron and reduce the safety benefit of the enamel barrier. Avoid sudden temperature swings (ice-cold food in a hot pan) that can stress the glaze. Hand-wash rather than use a dishwasher to extend coating life; harsh detergents and thermal shock accelerate enamel damage. If significant chipping develops, consider replacing the skillet, as repair is impractical.
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.”
Lead or cadmium in enamel glaze
No public recalls or test reports have documented lead/cadmium in Caraway enameled cookware. Modern enamel formulations used by major cookware brands typically meet US FDA limits, but independent verification for this specific product line is not routinely published.
Enamel coating degradation and iron leaching
Once the enamel coating chips or cracks, iron can leach into acidic foods (tomato sauce, wine, citrus). While dietary iron is not inherently toxic, excessive intake can be problematic for certain populations. Integrity of the coating is the primary mitigation factor.
Thermal stress fractures in glaze
Rapid heating or cooling can cause hairline fractures in the enamel that are not immediately visible but allow gradual leaching. This is a mechanical, not chemical, hazard but affects the product's protective function over time.
Aluminum or other metals in substrate
Cast iron skillets are iron-based, not aluminum, so aluminum leaching is not applicable. The cast iron substrate itself is not a toxicological concern when properly isolated by enamel.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 82% 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.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
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.