Le Creuset · Muffin Tins
Le Creuset 12-Cup Mini Muffin Tray
Lower-concern option; cast iron with enamel coating carries minimal documented PFAS risk.
Le Creuset mini muffin trays are made from enameled cast iron, a traditional cookware material with no known PFAS coating. The enamel finish itself does not require fluorochemicals to function.
Shop Le Creuset 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.
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
This is cast iron with a vitrified enamel coating, typically a glass-like glaze fused to the metal at high temperature. Le Creuset's enamel is proprietary and factory-applied; once set, it does not leach metals like lead or cadmium under normal cooking conditions because the glaze is fully cured and nonporous. Cast iron itself is inert and food-safe; the enamel layer prevents rust and direct iron contact with acidic foods.
The brand's record and disclosure
Le Creuset is a premium cookware manufacturer with decades of market presence and no documented recalls or safety controversies related to coating hazards in their enamel cookware. The company does not publicly disclose detailed PFAS testing data or enamel composition, a stance common among legacy cookware makers. No third-party testing has flagged Le Creuset enamel as a PFAS source; the brand carries strong reputation for quality control and durability.
How it compares in its category
Enameled cast iron muffin tins are safer than non-stick (Teflon-type coating) alternatives, which carry fume-emission risk if overheated. They are more durable than ceramic-coated steel pans, which often chip and degrade within years. Le Creuset's enamel is thicker and more resilient than mass-market enameled cookware, reducing coating failure risk over the product lifespan.
If you buy it
Avoid overheating an empty pan or exposing it to direct flame; use moderate to medium heat on stovetops and follow oven temperature limits (typically 500F for Le Creuset). Do not use metal utensils that scratch the enamel; once the glaze chips, exposed cast iron will rust and stain. Hand wash and dry promptly to prevent water spots and rust. The pan will last decades if not dropped or thermally shocked (cold water on hot pan).
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 recalls or independent testing has documented lead or cadmium in Le Creuset enamel coatings. Vintage Le Creuset (pre-1970s) may carry lead risk, but current production is not known to use lead-containing glazes.
Enamel coating degradation and microchipping
Any enameled cookware can chip if struck, dropped, or exposed to thermal shock. Small enamel fragments are not inherently toxic but should be avoided; once chipping begins, the exposed cast iron will corrode and should not be used for cooking acidic foods.
Aluminum leaching
This product is cast iron, not aluminum, so aluminum leaching is not a concern. The enamel coating prevents any iron leaching under normal use.
Teflon-type coating fume risk
Enameled cast iron does not use Teflon-type coating (Teflon) or other Teflon-family coating coatings, eliminating fume risk even if the pan is accidentally overheated.
Formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds off-gassing
Cast iron and vitrified enamel do not emit formaldehyde or VOCs under normal cooking temperatures. No off-gassing hazard is documented for this product.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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 Muffin Tins
Caraway
Nonstick Ceramic Muffin Pan
ceramic nonstick coating
Lower concern, ceramic coating and MADE SAFE certification support PFAS-free claim, though no independent lab testing published.
⚠Risky category by default
Caraway
West Elm Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic Muffin Tin
Ceramic non-stick coating
Lower concern; ceramic non-stick with credible PFAS-free claim and MADE SAFE cert.
⚠Risky category by default
Caraway
Perracotta Ceramic Non-Stick 6-Cup Muffin Pan
Ceramic (terracotta/clay base)
Lower concern; ceramic base with third-party MADE SAFE certification supports claim, but verify retailer specs.
⚠Risky category by default
More muffin tins 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.