Lodge · Griddle Pans
Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle
Lower concern, traditional seasoned cast iron has no known PFAS risks.
Lodge's seasoned cast iron reversible grill/griddle is made from bare cast iron seasoned with vegetable oil, a traditional cooking method with no synthetic coatings or fluorinated compounds involved. Cast iron seasoning is a built-up layer of polymerized oil and does not require PFAS-based nonstick treatments.
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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 cast iron is molten iron poured into sand molds, then seasoned with vegetable oil baked on at high temperature. This oil polymerizes into a protective layer that prevents rust and creates a naturally non-stick surface. Unlike modern non-stick cookware (Teflon-type coating or ceramic coated), seasoned cast iron contains no synthetic polymer coatings that can degrade, flake, or release fumes. The iron itself is inert at normal cooking temperatures.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lodge Manufacturing, founded 1896, is the largest cast iron cookware maker in the US and maintains consistent sourcing and production in Tennessee. The company does not market chemical certifications (no GOTS, OEKO-TEX, or similar labeling) because cast iron requires none. No safety recalls or chemical contamination incidents are on record for Lodge seasoned cookware. The brand's silence on PFAS is expected and not a red flag, as traditional seasoned cast iron manufacturing predates PFAS use in cookware.
How it compares in its category
Seasoned cast iron avoids two major hazards of modern griddles: Teflon-type coating fume risk (from Teflon) and ceramic coating degradation (which can expose base metals). Lodge's cast iron is heavier and slower to heat than non-stick alternatives, but this is a durability advantage, it will outlast most coated pans and never requires coating replacement. Some users prefer lighter modern alternatives for speed; safety-wise, cast iron is the most conservative choice.
If you buy it
Maintain seasoning by cooking fatty foods and wiping (not washing) the pan after use. Avoid prolonged soaking or dishwasher use, which strips seasoning. Cast iron can be used on all heat sources including induction and open flame. If seasoning wears thin after years of use, re-season by coating with a thin oil layer and baking in a 500F oven for one hour. Replace only if the iron warps or develops deep pitting that affects food contact.
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.”
Aluminum leaching
This product is cast iron, not aluminum. No aluminum is present, so leaching risk does not apply.
Lead in base material or seasoning
Lodge cast iron is manufactured to US standards with no documented lead contamination. Vegetable oil seasoning is food-grade and poses no known lead risk. Older vintage cast iron (pre-1970s) may contain trace lead; this product is modern manufacture.
Coating degradation and flaking
Seasoned cast iron has no synthetic polymer coating to degrade. The oil seasoning bond is permanent and self-renewing with use. No flaking or particle contamination hazard exists.
Fume inhalation risk
Cast iron does not emit fumes at normal or high cooking temperatures. No Teflon-type coating or other Teflon-family coating are used. Vegetable oil smoke point (450-500F) is well below cast iron's safe continuous use range.
Iron bioavailability and overdose
Cast iron cookware does leach small amounts of iron into acidic foods (tomatoes, vinegar, wine). This is beneficial for most people but may pose risk to those with hemochromatosis or iron overload disorders. Consult a physician if this applies to you before using cast iron regularly.
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.