Caraway · Nonstick Skillets
Caraway Enameled Cast Iron Skillet
Lower-concern cookware; enameled cast iron avoids Teflon-family coating nonsticks, and brand backs PFAS-free claim with third-party certification.
Caraway's enameled cast iron skillet uses a ceramic-like enamel coating rather than Teflon-family coating nonstick, eliminating the primary PFAS vector in modern cookware. The brand explicitly markets PFAS-free positioning and holds MADE SAFE certification, a rigorous standard.
Brand says: “Caraway markets their cookware as PFAS-free and has published content addressing 'forever chemicals' in cookware”
Material
Enameled cast iron (enamel coating + iron base)
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Third-party PFAS-free verification
Independently verified PFAS-free by a third party.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Caraway's skillet uses cast iron as the base with a vitreous enamel topcoat (silica-based glass fused to iron at high temperature). This construction avoids Teflon-family coating nonsticks (Teflon-type coating/PFOA), eliminating fume and degradation risks inherent to traditional nonstick cookware. The enamel provides the nonstick surface and protects underlying iron from rust and leaching. However, enamel is ceramic-like and can chip or crack with mechanical shock or thermal stress.
The brand's record and disclosure
Caraway has built its brand identity around PFAS-free, sustainable cookware and publishes materials transparency. The skillet carries third-party PFAS-free certification, and the company has not faced documented recalls or safety controversies related to coating toxicity. Their enameled cast iron positioning directly addresses consumer concerns about nonstick chemical exposure, and this messaging is backed by the material choice itself rather than unverified claims.
How it compares in its category
Enameled cast iron skillets are among the safest nonstick options available; they avoid both legacy Teflon-type coating/PFOA and newer Teflon-family coating concerns. Compared to ceramic or traditional nonstick coatings, enamel does not off-gas and does not degrade into microparticles under normal use. The trade-off is heavier weight, longer preheating, and vulnerability to chipping. Caraway's version is positioned as a premium alternative to Lodge and Le Creuset, with comparable safety but stronger chemical transparency.
If you buy it
Preheat slowly and avoid thermal shock (do not move from stovetop directly to cold water). Hand wash and dry promptly to prevent rust at chipped edges; avoid dishwasher. Inspect the enamel coating regularly, especially the rim and handle; discard or cease use if large chips expose bare iron underneath, as this can leach iron at acidic pH and compromises the nonstick benefit. Cast iron requires seasoning over time; follow Caraway's maintenance guide. Expected lifespan is decades if enamel remains intact.
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.”
Enamel coating degradation and chipping
Vitreous enamel is durable but brittle. Chipping from impact or thermal shock exposes bare cast iron. Once breached, the coating cannot be easily repaired, and the skillet loses its primary protective and nonstick function. Small chips at rims or handles are cosmetic but functional; large flaking warrants replacement.
Iron leaching from exposed base metal
If enamel chips and exposes bare iron, prolonged contact with acidic foods (tomatoes, vinegar, wine) can leach iron into food. While iron is an essential nutrient, excessive leaching in acidic conditions can alter food taste and texture. This risk is specific to damaged enamel; intact coating prevents contact entirely.
Lead or cadmium in enamel glaze
No recalls or reported contamination in Caraway enameled cast iron. Modern enamels are lead-free by design and regulation. Caraway's third-party testing and transparency statements do not flag heavy metal concerns. Risk is low for contemporary production, though very old or non-Western enameled cookware may carry historical lead glaze risk.
Thermal stress and sudden temperature changes
Enameled cast iron expands and contracts with heat. Rapid temperature swings (e.g., hot skillet to cold sink) can cause crazing (fine surface cracks) or spalling (flaking). This is a handling hazard, not a chemical one, but accelerates coating failure and exposes iron underneath.
Teflon-type coating fume risk from nonstick coating
By design, enameled cast iron does not use Teflon-type coating or Teflon-family coating coatings, eliminating the fume inhalation hazard associated with overheated traditional nonstick pans. Enamel is inert glass-ceramic and does not release volatile compounds under normal cooking heat.
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 nonstick 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.