Caraway · Cast Iron Skillets
Caraway Cast Iron Cookware Bundle with Enameled Skillets & Grill Pan
Lower PFAS concern; enameled cast iron is inherently low-risk, and brand claims PFAS-free, though unverified by third party.
Caraway's enameled cast iron cookware uses a ceramic enamel coating over cast iron rather than Teflon-family coating nonstick, positioning it as PFAS-free. The brand makes explicit PFAS-free claims but has not sought independent third-party verification (e.g., Made Safe, EWG).
Brand says: “Caraway markets its enameled cookware as PFAS-free and non-toxic, emphasizing ceramic/enamel coating without fluoropolymers”
Shop Caraway on Amazon →Material
enameled cast iron (enamel coating over cast iron base)
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 skillets are cast iron bases topped with a vitreous enamel coating, typically made from silica, feldspar, and other mineral oxides fused at high temperature. This glass-like enamel creates a barrier between food and iron, preventing both iron leaching into acidic foods and rust. Unlike non-stick coatings (which carry Teflon-type coating fume risk), enameled cast iron is chemically inert once cured and does not off-gas at normal cooking temperatures.
The brand's record and disclosure
Caraway explicitly markets its products as PFAS-free and has positioned itself as a health-conscious direct-to-consumer brand, though independent third-party certification of this claim is not publicly documented. The brand has not faced recorded recalls or safety controversies related to its enameled cookware. Their marketing emphasizes transparency, but detailed material safety data sheets are not widely published; verification relies on brand claims rather than third-party lab testing.
How it compares in its category
Enameled cast iron is considered one of the safest cookware options and avoids hazards inherent to Teflon-type coating non-stick, ceramic non-stick, and bare cast iron. Caraway's enameled line sits in the mid-to-premium segment; competitors like Le Creuset and Staub offer similar chemistry but at higher prices, while budget enameled cast iron from other brands carries the same material-level safety profile. The key differentiator is brand disclosure practices and QC consistency, neither of which shows red flags for Caraway.
If you buy it
Avoid extreme thermal shock (do not immerse hot pans in cold water), as this can crack the enamel coating over time. Once the enamel is chipped or flaked significantly, discard or repurpose the pan to avoid iron leaching into acidic foods. Hand-wash or use gentle dishwasher cycles to preserve the coating. These pans are stovetop-safe and oven-safe to typical food-cooking temperatures (usually up to 500F); the enamel is stable under normal use.
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 recalls or public reports of lead/cadmium contamination in Caraway enameled cookware. Modern vitreous enamels meeting food-contact standards generally do not leach these metals, though independent testing of this specific product is not available in public records.
Enamel coating degradation and flaking
Thermal shock, acidic foods, and abrasive cleaning can cause enamel chips over time in any enameled cookware. Once compromised, the underlying cast iron becomes exposed; replacement is recommended to avoid iron leaching into acidic or prolonged-simmer dishes.
Iron leaching from cast iron base
When enamel is intact, iron leaching is minimal and not a safety concern. If the enamel cracks or chips, cast iron will leach iron into food, especially acidic foods; this is a nutritional excess concern for people with hemochromatosis but not acutely toxic for most users.
Teflon-type coating fume inhalation (non-stick off-gassing)
Enameled cast iron does not contain Teflon-type coating and poses no fume risk, unlike traditional non-stick cookware. This is a material advantage of this product category.
Aluminum leaching
Cast iron base contains no aluminum; this hazard is not relevant to this product. Enameled surfaces are not aluminum-based and do not present aluminum leaching risk.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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.
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.