Lodge · Griddle Pans
Lodge Savor the Outdoors Seasoned Square Griddle
Lower PFAS concern; cast iron is a traditional, Teflon-type coating-free cooking surface.
Lodge's cast iron griddles are seasoned cast iron with no synthetic nonstick coating, so Teflon-type coating and Teflon-family coating PFAS risks are absent. Lodge does not disclose PFAS information, but the material itself, pre-seasoned cast iron, carries lower concern than Teflon-type coating or other fluorinated coatings.
Shop Lodge on Amazon →Material
Cast iron with seasoning layer
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
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 griddle is solid cast iron with a factory-applied seasoning layer composed of polymerized vegetable oil, not synthetic coatings like Teflon-type coating or ceramic. Cast iron itself is chemically inert at normal cooking temperatures and does not leach metals into food under standard use. The seasoning is a self-renewing protective layer that improves with use and can be easily restored by heating oil on the surface, making it fundamentally different from synthetic non-stick coatings that degrade.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lodge is the largest cast iron manufacturer in the United States and has maintained continuous production since 1896 with consistent material practices. The company does not publicly disclose detailed safety testing or third-party certifications for their seasoned cookware, but this is typical for the cast iron category and reflects the material's long established safety profile rather than hidden concerns. No significant safety recalls or chemical contamination incidents are on record for Lodge griddles. The brand's silence on PFAS reflects that cast iron cookware is inherently PFAS-free by design.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron griddles represent the lowest-chemical-risk option among modern cooking surfaces; they avoid the coating degradation concerns of non-stick (ceramic or Teflon-type coating) alternatives and the aluminum leaching potential of bare aluminum pans. Unlike coated griddles that require replacement when the coating fails, cast iron improves over decades of use. The trade-off is weight, heat distribution speed, and a learning curve for seasoning maintenance, which some users avoid by purchasing modern non-stick alternatives with greater chemical exposure risk.
If you buy it
Hand wash only with minimal soap to preserve the seasoning layer; avoid prolonged soaking or dishwasher use. Dry immediately after washing and apply a light oil coat while warm to maintain the non-stick surface and prevent rust. Pre-season the griddle by cooking fatty foods (bacon, burgers) regularly, which strengthens the protective layer over time. Replace or restore only if rust appears after neglect; proper cast iron is nearly impossible to damage and can be completely reseasoned by heating in an oven at 400-500 degrees Fahrenheit with multiple oil applications.
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 at acidic pH
Prolonged cooking of high-acid foods (tomato sauce, vinegar-based dishes) on cast iron can increase iron content in food, which is beneficial for most people but may be a concern for individuals with hemochromatosis or iron overload conditions. This is a known chemical behavior of cast iron, not a manufacturing defect, and is reversible by adjusting cooking practices.
Rust and corrosion if unmaintained
Failure to dry and oil the griddle after washing allows rust formation, which can degrade the seasoning layer and compromise the non-stick surface. Rust itself is iron oxide and not acutely toxic in small amounts, but it indicates loss of the protective seasoning layer and requires restoration before safe continued use.
Lead or cadmium in cast iron
No published safety testing has documented lead or cadmium in Lodge cast iron griddles or any major brand's cast iron cookware. Cast iron is made from recycled scrap metal and iron ore, which may theoretically introduce trace contaminants, but decades of use and the FDA's lack of warning against cast iron indicate this risk is negligible and not a documented concern.
Thermal shock cracking
Exposing a hot cast iron griddle to cold water or placing it on a cold surface can cause rapid contraction and cracking of the metal. This is a mechanical risk rather than chemical, but a cracked griddle should not be used for cooking as uneven heating and rust in cracks pose safety concerns.
Seasoning degradation from harsh cleaning
Aggressive scouring with steel wool, abrasive pads, or soap removes the polymerized oil seasoning, exposing bare iron beneath. Once exposed, the bare metal will rust and may flake into food. Restoration requires re-seasoning, which is simple but indicates improper care rather than a product defect.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 90% 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.