Lodge · Griddle Pans
Lodge Reversible Cast Iron Grill/Griddle
Lower PFAS concern, traditional cast iron with no synthetic coatings to carry PFAS.
Lodge's reversible grill/griddle is cast iron with a factory oil seasoning, not a synthetic nonstick coating. Cast iron itself does not contain PFAS. Lodge makes no PFAS claims because the product category (bare or seasoned cast iron) doesn't typically involve Teflon-family coating or water-repellent treatments.
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Cast iron, pre-seasoned with vegetable 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.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
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 reversible grill/griddle is solid cast iron with a factory-applied vegetable oil seasoning layer. Cast iron itself is inert at typical cooking temperatures and does not leach harmful compounds into food. The pre-seasoning is a thin polymerized vegetable oil coat, not a synthetic polymer or ceramic glaze, so it avoids common coating-related hazards like Teflon-type coating off-gassing or lead in enamel.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lodge is a US-based, family-owned manufacturer with no known product recalls related to chemical leaching or coating failures. The company does not actively market PFAS-free credentials, but this reflects the fact that traditional cast iron cookware has never required PFAS-based non-stick compounds. No third-party certifications (NSF, GREENGUARD) are standard for this category, which is typical for cast iron rather than a red flag.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron griddles avoid the primary hazards of non-stick aluminum or ceramic-coated pans (Teflon-type coating fume risk, coating degradation, potential aluminum leaching). Compared to enameled cast iron, this product has no glaze to chip or leach lead/cadmium, trading some aesthetic durability for chemical simplicity. It is heavier and requires seasoning maintenance, a trade-off many consumers accept for longevity and safety.
If you buy it
Season and maintain the cooking surface regularly with oil to prevent rust and maintain the non-stick layer; avoid prolonged soaking in water. Cast iron is safe at all stovetop and oven temperatures and does not emit fumes at normal cooking heat. Replace only if rust develops that cannot be seasoned out, which rarely occurs with normal care. Hand-wash only; dishwasher use will degrade seasoning and promote rust.
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
Cast iron can release small amounts of iron into acidic foods (tomato sauce, vinegar, wine). This is generally considered safe and even beneficial for iron intake in most diets, but people with hemochromatosis should limit cast iron use.
Rust and oxidation
If seasoning layer is damaged or maintenance is neglected, exposed cast iron can rust. Rust itself is not acutely toxic but indicates loss of the protective oil layer and potential food contamination with iron oxide particles.
Coating degradation over time
The vegetable oil seasoning is applied as a thin polymerized layer and hardens with use; it does not flake, peel, or shed microparticles like synthetic non-stick or enamel coatings. Proper maintenance prevents degradation.
Thermal shock damage
Rapid temperature changes (hot griddle plunged into cold water) can cause cracking due to cast iron's brittleness. This is a durability issue rather than a chemical safety issue, but damaged cookware should be retired.
Lead or cadmium in raw cast iron
Lodge cast iron is manufactured to food-safety standards in the US and does not incorporate intentional lead or cadmium. No recalls or test findings of heavy metal contamination in raw Lodge cookware are on record.
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
GreenPan
Rio Advanced Ceramic Nonstick Griddle
Ceramic-based nonstick coating
Lower concern; ceramic nonstick does not require PFAS, but verify product lot hasn't changed.
⚠Risky category by default
Caraway
West Elm Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic Double Griddle
Ceramic non-stick coating on cast iron base
Lower-concern option; ceramic non-stick is inherently PFAS-free, though independent lab verification would strengthen confidence.
⚠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.