Great Jones · Grill Pans
Jones New Aurora Cookware Cast iron 16" Grill Pan
Lower PFAS concern, bare cast iron is inherently non-Teflon-family coating cookware.
Great Jones' Aurora cast iron grill pan is seasoned cast iron with no nonstick or synthetic coating. Cast iron does not require PFAS-based coatings and poses minimal concern for PFAS leaching. The brand makes no explicit PFAS claims, but the material itself, bare cast iron, is a traditional, coating-free cookware category.
Shop Great Jones on Amazon →Material
Cast iron, uncoated
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.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is uncoated cast iron, meaning it's pure iron with no enamel, ceramic, or non-stick polymer overlay. Cast iron itself does not off-gas volatile compounds or shed synthetic coatings. The trade-off is that bare iron requires seasoning (oil buildup) and can leach small amounts of iron into acidic foods over long cooking, a concern only for people with iron overload disorders, not the general population.
The brand's record and disclosure
Great Jones does not publicly disclose third-party testing, safety certifications (e.g., NSF), or manufacturing standards on their website or product documentation available as of public record. The brand markets the Aurora as 'heritage cast iron' but provides no material origin statements or heavy-metal screening data. This silence on sourcing and testing is typical for artisanal cast-iron makers but limits independent verification of foundry practices.
How it compares in its category
Uncoated cast iron avoids the primary hazard class of enameled cookware: degrading glaze coatings that can expose lead-bearing underbody or chip into food. Compared to modern non-stick cookware (which risks Teflon-type coating off-gassing if overheated), bare cast iron has zero polymer thermal-degradation risk. It is functionally safer on coating hazards but requires more maintenance and poses minimal iron-leaching risk that most modern enameled alternatives do not.
If you buy it
Season regularly with high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed) to maintain the protective oxide layer and prevent rust. Avoid prolonged soaking and acidic foods (tomatoes, vinegar, wine) that accelerate iron leaching. Do not use on induction cooktops without a steel adapter. Hand-wash and dry immediately; machine washing accelerates rust. Pre-seasoned cookware requires only touch-up seasoning every 6-12 months with normal use.
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/cadmium in enamels or glazes
This product is uncoated bare cast iron with no enamel, glaze, or ceramic overlay. No lead-bearing surface layer exists on this specific item.
Iron leaching into food
Bare cast iron naturally releases trace iron, especially in acidic or high-heat cooking. This is not a safety concern for most people; it is only problematic for patients with hemochromatosis or iron overload conditions.
Teflon-type coating/non-stick coating degradation and fume risk
No polymer non-stick coating present. Uncoated cast iron cannot degrade or off-gas Teflon-family coating fumes at any temperature.
Rust and corrosion from manufacturing or storage
Cast iron can rust if not properly seasoned or dried after purchase. Great Jones does not disclose seasoning method or pre-use inspection protocol. Rust itself is not toxic but indicates protective oil layer failure.
Aluminum leaching
This pan is cast iron, not aluminum. No aluminum leaching risk exists.
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.
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More grill 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.