Made In · Griddle Pans
Carbon Steel Griddle Set
Lower PFAS concern, bare carbon steel has no Teflon-family coating or chemical coatings.
Made In's Carbon Steel Griddle Set is bare metal with no nonstick or protective coatings, eliminating typical PFAS sources in cookware. Carbon steel itself contains no PFAS and requires seasoning (oil) rather than synthetic coatings. This is a lower-concern cookware choice, though the brand makes no explicit PFAS claim.
Shop Made In on Amazon →Material
Carbon steel, unseasoned/bare
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
Made In's carbon steel griddle is unseasoned bare steel, meaning it arrives without a pre-applied non-stick or protective layer. Carbon steel is an iron-carbon alloy (typically 98% iron, 1-2% carbon) with no synthetic coatings, glazes, or chemical finishes. This construction eliminates risks from Teflon-family coating off-gassing (Teflon-type coating/PFOA) and plastic additives leaching. The trade-off is that bare steel requires immediate seasoning with oil to prevent rust and develop non-stick properties over time.
The brand's record and disclosure
Made In does not publicly disclose PFAS testing results or provide third-party safety certifications for this product. The brand markets carbon steel cookware as a premium, chemical-free alternative but offers minimal material safety documentation. No recalls or regulatory actions specific to this griddle model are on record. Transparency around material sourcing and heavy metal testing (iron content, trace manganese, chromium) is not published.
How it compares in its category
Bare carbon steel griddles are considered safer than Teflon-type coating-coated nonstick pans (which release fumes above 500°F) and enameled cast iron (which may contain lead in older enamel formulations or chip over time). They sit alongside Lodge and Le Creuset cast iron in the uncoated-metal category but require more active maintenance than pre-seasoned alternatives. Compared to modern ceramic or graphite non-stick options, bare steel has no coating degradation risk but demands user discipline in seasoning upkeep.
If you buy it
Season immediately with high-smoke-point oil (grapeseed, avocado, or canola) at 400-450°F for multiple thin layers to create a protective patina that prevents rust and improves non-stick performance. Use low to medium-high heat; sustained exposure above 600°F can cause warping or discoloration but poses no chemical safety risk. Avoid prolonged acidic foods (tomato, vinegar, citrus) on unsealed steel as they can strip seasoning and cause minor iron leaching into food. Hand-wash and dry immediately; machine washing and soaking will rust the surface. Re-season occasionally with light oil after cooking.
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 (minor metallic transfer)
Bare carbon steel can release trace iron into acidic or prolonged-contact foods if not properly seasoned. This is not a toxicological hazard (dietary iron is essential) but may affect taste and discolor light sauces. Risk is minimized by maintaining a robust seasoned layer.
Rust and corrosion if improperly maintained
Bare steel rusts when exposed to moisture without protective oil seasoning. Rust itself is iron oxide (non-toxic), but rough, flaking rust can contaminate food and degrade cookware. Proper drying and oil coating after each use prevents this entirely.
Coating degradation (none present)
Because this griddle is unseasoned bare metal with no applied synthetic finish, there is no risk of peeling enamel, Teflon-type coating flaking, or ceramic coating breakdown. The user-built seasoning layer can wear and must be renewed periodically, but this is maintenance, not a product defect.
Lead or cadmium in steel composition
Made In does not disclose heavy metal testing for this carbon steel. Modern cookware-grade carbon steel from reputable manufacturers typically contains no intentional lead or cadmium, but no public third-party verification is available for this specific product. Recycled steel content (if used) has minimal contamination risk in modern smelting.
Uneven heat distribution and hot spots
Carbon steel is thinner than cast iron and may develop hot spots if not preheated evenly. This is a functional issue, not a chemical safety hazard, but can lead to overheating small areas and potential thermal damage to some foods.
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.