Finex · Cast Iron Skillets
Cast Iron Grill Pan FINEX
Lower-concern choice, cast iron has no synthetic coatings or PFAS treatment.
FINEX cast iron grill pans are bare cast iron with no nonstick or protective coatings, eliminating coating-based PFAS risk. Cast iron cookware is a traditional, uncoated material with no known PFAS concerns. No lab data or brand PFAS claims exist because the product category itself does not use fluorochemicals.
Shop Finex on Amazon →Material
Cast iron, no coating
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.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Finex cast iron grill pans are solid cast iron with no applied non-stick coating, enamel, or synthetic surface treatment. The material itself is chemically inert at normal cooking temperatures and does not off-gas or leach coatings. Cast iron's main interaction with food is minimal iron migration under acidic conditions, which is a known and generally benign phenomenon.
The brand's record and disclosure
Finex (a subsidiary of Field Company) manufactures cast iron cookware in the US and has not published specific chemical safety testing or third-party certifications for its grill pans. The brand maintains a silent stance on PFAS and other coatings use, which is expected for uncoated cast iron. No product recalls or established safety controversies are on record for Finex cast iron skillets.
How it compares in its category
Uncoated cast iron avoids the hazards inherent in non-stick (Teflon-type coating, PFOA, PFAS alternatives) and ceramic-enameled skillets (lead/cadmium in glazes, coating chipping). Finex's machined cooking surface is a quality differentiator but does not alter safety profile. Most mainstream alternatives in this price range use enamel or non-stick coatings, making plain cast iron a lower-hazard choice.
If you buy it
Maintain seasoning by cooking fatty foods and storing dry to prevent rust; cast iron is durable for decades or longer if not severely damaged. Avoid prolonged soaking in water and do not use in a dishwasher. High-acid foods (tomatoes, wine, vinegar) can strip seasoning but do not pose a toxicological risk. Replace only if casting cracks or surface pitting becomes severe enough to trap food particles.
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 under acidic conditions
Acidic foods (tomato-based dishes, vinegar, citrus) can increase iron migration into food. This is a known behavior of cast iron and not a safety hazard for most consumers; iron is an essential nutrient. Individuals with iron-overload conditions (hemochromatosis) should limit prolonged cooking with cast iron in acidic conditions.
Lead/cadmium in glazes or enamels
This hazard applies only to enameled cast iron skillets. Finex grill pans are uncoated cast iron with no glaze or enamel applied, eliminating this risk entirely.
Teflon-type coating/non-stick coating degradation and fume risk
Non-stick coatings and their associated fume hazards do not apply to uncoated cast iron. Finex's plain cast iron construction avoids this hazard class.
Rust and bacterial growth from improper storage
Cast iron requires dry storage to prevent rust formation. If left wet or stored improperly, rust can develop and harbor bacteria; however, this is a care issue, not a manufacturing hazard. Proper seasoning and maintenance eliminate this risk.
Microplastic or coating particle shedding
Uncoated cast iron does not shed synthetic particles or coating fragments during heating or cooking, unlike non-stick or ceramic-coated alternatives.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 92% 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.