Lodge · Grill & Oven Mats
Lodge USO11 Black Silicone Oval Underliner
Lower PFAS concern, silicone underliner with no nonstick coating or waterproofing treatments typical of PFAS-risk products.
This Lodge product is a silicone oval underliner (a heat-resistant mat/trivet), not a nonstick-coated cookware item. Silicone itself is not a known PFAS delivery mechanism.
Shop Lodge on Amazon →Material
black silicone
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.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is a food-grade silicone mat, not a coated metal or ceramic product. Silicone is a synthetic rubber polymer that remains chemically inert at typical oven and grill temperatures (up to 450, 500 F). Unlike nonstick cookware, it contains no Teflon-type coating or ceramic coatings that degrade over time. The black color comes from carbon black pigment dispersed in the silicone matrix, which is stable and does not leach under normal use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lodge Manufacturing has a 140-year history in cast iron and cookware with no major product safety recalls related to chemical hazards in recent decades. The company does not publicly disclose comprehensive material sourcing or third-party safety testing on this specific silicone mat. Lodge has maintained quiet PFAS messaging across product lines, neither claiming PFAS-free status nor publishing migration studies. For this underliner category, absence of public controversy or recalls is a reasonable baseline indicator of acceptable safety.
How it compares in its category
Silicone mats are the lower-hazard option in the grill/oven mat category compared to traditional fiberglass or treated fabric alternatives, which may contain flame retardants or proprietary coatings. This product avoids the aluminum leaching risks of thin metal pans and the lead/cadmium concerns of poorly regulated ceramic tiles. Most competitor silicone mats (e.g., OXO, Artisan, store brands) are chemically equivalent; the material class itself is well-established as food-contact safe by FDA guidelines.
If you buy it
Use below 450 F to avoid any potential outgassing at extreme temperatures; most ovens and grills stay well below this. Hand wash or wipe clean; silicone is durable and resists staining. Do not cut or tear the mat, as microscopic silicone particles could enter food. Replace if you notice surface cracking, hardening, or visible degradation after several years of use, though quality silicone mats typically last 5+ years with standard 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.”
Silicone leaching under heat
Food-grade silicone is FDA-approved for oven/food contact. No established public data showing chemical migration into food at typical use temperatures (below 450 F). Leaching risk is theoretical and not documented in scientific literature for this product class.
Carbon black pigment toxicity
Carbon black is a common, regulated food-contact colorant in silicone. No known hazard from properly manufactured carbon-black-pigmented silicone mats. Pigment is bound within the polymer and does not migrate under normal use.
Microplastic shedding
Repeated flexing, cutting, or physical wear of silicone mats can theoretically generate small silicone particles. Risk is low with normal use (laying flat on baking sheet), but not zero if mat is folded, creased, or damaged over years of use.
Volatilization or off-gassing on first use
New silicone products may emit mild odor or volatile compounds (non-toxic but noticeable) when first heated. Airing the mat or running it in a preheated oven at 350 F for 10 minutes before first food use minimizes this. Effect dissipates within 1-2 uses.
Mold or bacterial growth if stored wet
Silicone does not inherently resist microbial growth if stored damp or in humid conditions. Ensure mat is fully dry before storage. Not a hazard specific to this product, but a maintenance issue common to all silicone kitchen tools.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 82% 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 Grill & Oven Mats
Lodge
Tire Conversion Technologies Inc 36x48 Grill Mat
Cast iron with seasoned surface
Lower PFAS concern, cast iron grill mat is a traditional, PFAS-free material.
⚠Risky category by default
GreenPan
Ceramic Nonstick Ultimate Gourmet Grill-PFAS Free - Home
ceramic nonstick coating
Lower-concern option; ceramic coating avoids known Teflon-family coating, but verify ceramic durability and coating longevity.
⚠Risky category by default
GreenPan
Ceramic Cookware For The Grill - New Home | Color: Black | Size: s
Ceramic (thermolon) nonstick coating
Lower PFAS concern; ceramic-based coating avoids traditional Teflon-family coating, though no third-party verification.
⚠Risky category by default
More grill & oven mats 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.