Caraway · Cast Iron Skillets
Caraway Home Enameled Cast Iron Mini Skillet
Lower PFAS concern, traditional enameled cast iron carries minimal risk, but Caraway makes no public disclosure.
Caraway's enameled cast iron skillet is cast iron with a ceramic enamel coating, not a Teflon-type coating or Teflon-family coating nonstick. Traditional enamel is not known to contain PFAS.
Shop Caraway on Amazon →Material
enameled cast iron
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
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
Caraway's mini skillet is enameled cast iron: a steel-based core coated with a vitrified glass enamel layer. The enamel bonds at high temperature to the metal surface, creating a non-porous, inert cooking surface. This design eliminates the seasoning requirement of bare cast iron and reduces direct contact between food and the underlying metal. Enameled cast iron does not leach iron or aluminum into food under normal cooking conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Caraway is known for marketing cookware as non-toxic and sustainable, but the brand has not published detailed material safety disclosures, third-party certifications (such as GOTS, Greenguard, or NSF), or comprehensive PFAS testing results. The brand does not appear in major product safety recalls for cookware. Caraway's silence on chemical composition and testing is notably less transparent than some competitors in the premium cookware market.
How it compares in its category
Traditional enameled cast iron (such as Le Creuset and Staub) has a long safety record without major reported hazards when properly maintained. Caraway positions itself as an eco-conscious alternative to non-stick coatings, which is reasonable since enameled surfaces avoid Teflon-type coating and other fluorochemicals. However, many premium competitors publish enamel composition and undergo third-party testing; Caraway does not. For the price point, this lack of transparency is a competitive weakness.
If you buy it
Avoid abrasive scouring pads and acidic foods (vinegar, citrus, tomatoes) for extended periods, as these can degrade the enamel over time. Hand wash with soft sponges; dishwashers are not recommended. Inspect the enamel regularly for chips or cracks; once exposed metal is visible, cease use to avoid iron leaching. The product should last years with care, but once the enamel is compromised, replacement is the safest option.
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 lead or cadmium contamination has been reported in Caraway cookware. Vitrified enamel coatings on enameled cast iron are generally formulated without these metals, but Caraway provides no published test data or certificate of analysis to confirm this.
Enamel coating degradation and metal exposure
Enameled cast iron can chip or crack with thermal shock, mechanical damage, or acidic food exposure. Once the enamel is compromised, the underlying cast iron may leach iron or rust. This is a material-class risk, not specific to Caraway, but proper care minimizes it.
Teflon-type coating or other non-stick fluorochemicals
Enameled cast iron does not use Teflon-type coating or other perfluorinated coatings by design. This product category avoids that hazard entirely. No Teflon-type coating fume risk applies.
Heavy metals (iron leaching from cast iron substrate)
If the enamel is intact, iron does not significantly leach into food under normal conditions. However, people with hemochromatosis or those cooking acidic foods in a chipped skillet may experience elevated iron intake. The enamel acts as a barrier when undamaged.
Organic contaminants in glaze or decoration
No formaldehyde resins, azo dyes, or volatile organic compounds have been reported in Caraway's enamel coating. However, without published test reports, this assessment relies on industry norms for vitrified enamel rather than product-specific verification.
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.
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
Lodge
Cast Iron Classic Cast Iron Skillets
cast iron (bare or seasoned with oil)
Lower PFAS concern, bare cast iron has no synthetic coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Lodge
Cast Iron Skillet Pan 6"
cast iron, seasoned with oil
Lower PFAS concern, bare cast iron with traditional seasoning, no Teflon-family coating coatings.
⚠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.