Chicago Metallic · Bundt Pans
Chicago Metallic Fluted Tube Cake Pan 51605
Lower-concern choice; bare carbon steel has no PFAS-prone coatings, though brand discloses nothing.
Chicago Metallic's fluted tube pan (51605) is carbon steel without a nonstick or Teflon-family coating, which avoids common PFAS vectors in cookware. The brand provides no PFAS statement, but the bare metal construction itself presents lower risk than coated alternatives.
Shop Chicago Metallic on Amazon →Material
Carbon steel, bare/seasoned surface
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
The Chicago Metallic 51605 is constructed from carbon steel, a ferrous alloy containing iron and carbon without added coatings, enamels, or ceramic glazes. This bare or lightly seasoned surface eliminates exposure to lead, cadmium, or ceramic-glaze contaminants that plague some glazed bakeware. Carbon steel does not off-gas toxic fumes when heated to typical baking temperatures (up to 500°F), making it one of the safest inert baking materials available.
The brand's record and disclosure
Chicago Metallic is a long-established US bakeware manufacturer owned by Groupe SEB and has not published formal PFAS or material-safety statements in public domain. No major recalls or safety controversies specific to this model are documented. The brand has not sought BPA-free, lead-free, or similar third-party certifications, which is typical for bare-metal cookware manufacturers who do not rely on coatings.
How it compares in its category
Most modern Bundt pans fall into two camps: nonstick-coated (aluminum or steel with Teflon-type coating or ceramic topcoats) or bare/seasoned metal. This Chicago Metallic model occupies the safer end by avoiding nonstick chemistry entirely. Compared to silicone molds or enameled cast iron Bundts, bare carbon steel has lower off-gassing risk and no glaze-related heavy-metal concern, though it requires seasoning maintenance.
If you buy it
Season the pan lightly with neutral oil before first use and after washing to prevent rust and improve release. Do not exceed 500°F, as extremely high heat can degrade the seasoning layer. Hand-wash promptly after use; avoid prolonged soaking or dishwasher exposure, which promotes rust. Replace the pan if surface rust becomes widespread or interior develops deep pitting that catches food.
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.”
Iron leaching from bare-metal surface
Bare carbon steel can leach small amounts of iron into acidic foods (tomato, vinegar, citrus) during prolonged contact. This is not a toxicological hazard for most people (dietary iron is essential) but may affect taste and is undesirable for some users.
Rust formation if improperly maintained
Without protective seasoning or coating, carbon steel rusts rapidly if wet or exposed to air. Surface rust itself is not acutely toxic but can flake into food and degrades usability; rust can also harbor bacteria if not cleaned properly.
Lead/cadmium in glaze or enamel
This product is bare carbon steel with no ceramic glaze, enamel, or coating applied by manufacturer. No glazing process means no lead or cadmium contamination pathway.
Teflon-type coating or ceramic nonstick fume release
Bare carbon steel has no nonstick coating, so no Teflon-type coating (Teflon) degradation, ceramic topcoat breakdown, or associated fume inhalation risk at any baking temperature.
Thermal conductivity hazard (hot spots or uneven baking)
Carbon steel is a thinner, lighter conductor than cast iron, which can result in uneven heat distribution and localized browning. This is a baking-performance issue rather than a safety hazard, but may lead to over-browning and production of acrylamide in some baked goods.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 75% 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 Bundt Pans
GreenPan
Premiere Ovenware Ceramic Nonstick 8" Square Cake Pan
ceramic nonstick coating
Lower-concern option; ceramic nonstick avoids traditional Teflon-type coating/PFAS, though independently verify if important.
⚠Risky category by default
Caraway
Ceramic Nonstick Fluted Cake Pan
Ceramic nonstick coating
Lower-concern ceramic nonstick option backed by brand transparency and third-party certification.
⚠Risky category by default
Caraway
Nonstick Ceramic Square Baking Pan in Sage at Nordstrom
ceramic nonstick coating
Lower-concern option; ceramic nonstick avoids Teflon-family coating, and brand transparency supports the claim.
⚠Risky category by default
More bundt pans 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.