Caraway · Dutch Ovens
8.5 qt Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Lower concern; traditional enameled cast iron with no known PFAS risk.
Enameled cast iron Dutch ovens like Caraway's use vitreous glass enamel coatings, not Teflon-family coating or Teflon-type coating, no nonstick chemistry needed. Caraway has explicitly marketed PFAS-free positioning.
Brand says: “Caraway markets its Dutch ovens as PFAS-free cookware; the enamel coating is not a nonstick fluoropolymer.”
Shop Caraway on Amazon →Material
enameled cast iron (glass enamel coating)
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).
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Caraway's Dutch oven uses cast iron as the base metal, which is stable and does not leach under normal cooking conditions. The cooking surface is covered with a glass enamel coating (vitreous enamel), which is a silica-based glassy finish fused at high temperature to the iron. This type of coating acts as a barrier between food and the iron, preventing both iron leaching into food and any potential contaminants in the underlying metal from reaching your meals. Glass enamel is one of the most chemically inert cookware coatings available and does not require synthetic Teflon-type coating (Teflon) or other fluorinated compounds.
The brand's record and disclosure
Caraway has publicly committed to a PFAS-free manufacturing process across their cookware line and does not use Teflon-type coating or legacy fluorinated coatings. The company has made transparency around non-toxic materials a core brand claim and provides material information on their website. No significant recalls or safety controversies related to leaching, coating breakdown, or heavy metal contamination have been established for Caraway's enameled cast iron products in publicly available records. The brand operates under California compliance standards, which impose stricter limits on lead and cadmium in ceramic and enamel coatings than federal minimums.
How it compares in its category
Glass enamel Dutch ovens (of which Caraway and Le Creuset are leading examples) are among the safest cookware options by category standard. Unlike non-stick coatings, enamel does not degrade into fumes at high heat and has no known thermal decomposition risk. Compared to bare cast iron, enameled versions eliminate the need to maintain seasoning and prevent iron-rich runoff into acidic foods, making them more practical for long-term safety. The main trade-off versus bare cast iron is vulnerability to chipping; if enamel is compromised, the exposed iron underneath can rust and potentially leach into food over time.
If you buy it
Avoid thermal shock (do not move a hot pot directly from stove to cold countertop) as this is the primary cause of enamel crazing and chipping in glass-coated cookware. Hand wash rather than using dishwasher when possible, as the combination of high heat and abrasive detergents accelerates surface wear. Inspect the enamel regularly for chips, cracks, or crazing patterns; if the coating is significantly compromised and bare iron is exposed, discontinue use for food storage to prevent rust and iron leaching. The 8.5 qt size is large enough that uneven heating on stovetop may occur; use moderate to medium-high heat and allow the pot to preheat evenly.
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
Caraway's enamel formulation and California manufacturing standards do not have reported instances of heavy metal contamination in their enameled Dutch ovens. Third-party testing or certification data specific to this product line is not publicly available, but the brand's positioning and regulatory environment make this a low-likelihood hazard.
Enamel coating degradation and chipping
Glass enamel can develop crazing (fine cracks) or chip if subjected to thermal shock or impact. Once the enamel barrier is breached, bare cast iron becomes exposed and can rust or leach iron into food, particularly acidic dishes. This is a material property of all enameled cookware, not specific to Caraway, but is avoidable with proper care.
Teflon-type coating fume risk
Caraway's PFAS-free commitment explicitly excludes Teflon-type coating and fluorinated non-stick coatings. Glass enamel does not release harmful fumes at normal or even high cooking temperatures and is not known to have thermal decomposition products.
Aluminum leaching
This product is cast iron, not aluminum-based. Aluminum leaching is not a relevant hazard for this cookware type.
Bacterial growth or biofilm (if enamel is compromised)
If the enamel coating becomes chipped or cracked, exposed cast iron can retain moisture and food residue in microscopic pits, creating a niche for bacterial colonization. This is not a flaw of the new product but a consequence of damage from use or care practices.
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 dutch ovens 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.