Crisco · Cast Iron Cookware Seasoning
Cast Iron Seasoning
Lower concern. Oil-based seasoning has no identified PFAS vectors.
Crisco Cast Iron Seasoning is a soybean oil product used to season bare cast iron. No PFAS risk profile identified in standard product composition.
The safe swap
Coconut Oil
Cast Iron Ultimate Bundle
90/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its A.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Soybean oil blend seasoning
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
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.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Crisco Cast Iron Seasoning is a soybean oil blend formulated to polymerize on cast iron surfaces when heated, creating a non-stick protective layer. The base oil contains naturally occurring triglycerides that cross-link at high temperatures (typically above 400°F/204°C), forming a stable polymer matrix. This class of product does not contain synthetic coatings, Teflon-family coating, or ceramic additives, which eliminates the primary chemical concerns associated with modern non-stick cookware.
The brand's record and disclosure
Crisco is a long-established Soy Leci brand (formerly procter and gamble subsidiary) with over a century of food-use history. The company does not publicly disclose detailed safety test data or third-party certifications specific to this cast iron seasoning product. No major recalls or health incidents linked to this product formulation are on record in FDA or consumer safety databases. The brand's silence on PFAS reflects the absence of fluorochemicals in oil-based formulations rather than transparency gaps.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron seasoning oils are among the lowest-risk cookware treatments because they rely on thermal polymerization rather than synthetic coatings. Compared to Teflon-type coating-coated non-stick pans or ceramic-enameled cast iron, this product avoids fume risks and heavy metal concerns in glazes. Other branded cast iron seasonings (Lodge, Field Company house blends) use similar soybean or vegetable oil bases, making Crisco functionally equivalent in safety profile to leading competitors.
If you buy it
Apply thin, even coats to cast iron and wipe off excess before heating to avoid sticky residue buildup. Heat-cure according to label instructions (typically 1-2 hours at 400-500°F) to ensure polymerization; incomplete seasoning may feel tacky or transfer onto food. Reseason periodically after dishwashing or if the non-stick layer degrades. Store in a cool, dark place; like all oils, it can oxidize and become rancid if exposed to heat or light for extended periods.
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.”
Rancidity and oxidative degradation
Soybean oil contains polyunsaturated fats susceptible to oxidation during storage or if seasoning layer is exposed to prolonged air contact. Rancid oil can produce off-odors and potentially irritating volatile compounds, though direct toxicity from trace degradation on cookware is minimal.
Smoke and fume generation at high heat
Soybean oil has a smoke point around 450°F (232°C); exceeding this during seasoning or cooking may produce acrolein and other aldehydes. This is a general vegetable oil concern, not specific to Crisco, but relevant if the product is overheated or used in high-temperature cooking.
Aluminum leaching
This product is applied to cast iron, not aluminum cookware, so aluminum leaching hazards do not apply. Cast iron itself does not leach aluminum.
Lead or cadmium contamination
Refined soybean oil does not accumulate heavy metals; no recalls or test reports documenting lead or cadmium in Crisco products. Agricultural soy crops may take up trace metals from soil, but food-grade oil refinement removes particulates and contaminants to negligible levels.
Pesticide or herbicide residues
Crisco soybean oil undergoes industrial refining that removes polar compounds; most pesticide residues are removed during processing. No documented recalls or detections of pesticides in branded vegetable oils at levels of consumer concern.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 88% 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 Cookware Seasoning
Coconut Oil
Cast Iron Ultimate Bundle
cast iron, bare or seasoned with coconut oil
Lower PFAS concern. Bare cast iron is inherently PFAS-free.
⚠Risky category by default
Soybean Oil
Crisbee Puck Cast Iron Seasoning
Soybean oil, beeswax blend
Lower concern. Traditional seasoning oil without non-stick coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Hemp Oil
Carrington Farms Hemp Oil
Hemp seed oil, liquid cooking oil
Lower concern. Unrefined plant oil has no known PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
More cast iron cookware seasoning 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.