Lodge · Griddle Pans
Lodge 10.5 Inch Square Cast Iron Grill Pan
Lower PFAS concern, seasoned cast iron is a traditional, PFAS-free cookware choice.
Lodge's cast iron grill pan uses seasoned cast iron construction with no synthetic nonstick or Teflon-family coating coatings. The brand does not make PFAS claims, but the material itself, bare cast iron with oil seasoning, carries lower inherent PFAS risk.
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Cast iron, seasoned with oil
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
Lodge's 10.5-inch square grill pan is solid cast iron seasoned with a vegetable oil layer, not a synthetic nonstick coating. Cast iron itself is chemically inert, iron does not leach into food under normal cooking conditions. The oil seasoning is a hydrophobic polymer built up through repeated heating; it does not contain Teflon-type coating (Teflon), epoxy resins, or ceramic nonstop coatings that can degrade or release fumes.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lodge is a long-established US cast iron manufacturer (founded 1896) with no public health complaints or recalls tied to cookware toxicity. The company does not market PFAS certifications because cast iron cookware does not use PFAS-containing coatings. Lodge has maintained traditional cast iron production methods and provides straightforward care instructions; no misleading 'nonstick' or chemical-resistant claims appear in product marketing.
How it compares in its category
Seasoned cast iron avoids the key risks of modern nonstick griddles: Teflon-type coating fume release (if overheated), ceramic coating degradation, and manufacturing residues. Cast iron requires more initial seasoning effort and manual maintenance than ceramic or Teflon-type coating pans, but the long-term durability and absence of synthetic coating wear make it a lower-toxicity option. Performance is comparable to enameled cast iron but with no lead-glaze or enamel-chip risk.
If you buy it
Maintain the seasoning by oiling after use and avoiding prolonged soaking or abrasive scrubbing. Cast iron can be safely heated to high temperatures without coating degradation. Hand wash only; do not use dishwashers, which strip seasoning. If seasoning wears thin, re-season in a 500°F oven or stovetop to restore the protective oil layer. Replace only if structural cracks develop, which is rare with proper care.
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 (iron overload risk)
Acidic foods (tomato, vinegar, wine) can increase iron dissolution from cast iron cookware, particularly in new or poorly seasoned pans. This is a nutritional rather than toxicological concern for most people, but those with hemochromatosis or iron overload disorders should limit use or consult a physician.
Coating degradation and bare metal exposure
Mechanical damage (impact, dropping, aggressive scrubbing) can chip or crack the seasoning layer, exposing bare cast iron underneath. While cast iron itself is safe, loss of seasoning reduces non-stick properties and increases iron leaching and rusting. Re-seasoning restores protection.
Lead contamination from vintage or imported cast iron
Lodge's modern US-manufactured cast iron is not known to contain added lead. However, vintage cast iron cookware and some imported brands have tested positive for trace lead in the metal itself. This product line shows no documented contamination.
Microbial growth if stored wet
Cast iron can rust if stored damp or wet. Rust itself is not toxic but indicates moisture trapped under the seasoning layer; prolonged exposure creates surface degradation. Always dry and lightly oil before storage.
Teflon-type coating or synthetic coating residues
Lodge's seasoned cast iron does not use Teflon-type coating, ceramic, or enamel nonstick coatings, so no fume-risk chemicals or degradation byproducts are present. This is a material advantage over modern commercial nonstick griddles.
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 Griddle Pans
Caraway
Sage Ceramic Non-Stick Square Griddle Pan
Ceramic non-stick coating (proprietary, PFOA/Teflon-type coating-free)
Lower-concern option; ceramic coating and third-party certifications support the PFAS-free claim, though independent lab testing of this specific product line i
⚠Risky category by default
More griddle 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.