Made In · Cast Iron Skillets
Enameled Cast Iron Cookware
Lower-concern cookware, enameled cast iron is traditionally PFAS-free, but confirm enamel source if concerned.
Made In's enameled cast iron cookware uses a cast iron base with a glass enamel coating, neither of which typically requires PFAS. Traditional enamel is silicate-based and does not rely on Teflon-family coating.
Shop Made In on Amazon →Material
Enameled cast iron (cast iron base + glass enamel coating)
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
Made In enameled cast iron consists of a cast iron base topped with a vitreous glass enamel coating, which is fused at high temperature. This enamel layer serves as a barrier between food and the iron substrate, eliminating the need for seasoning oil and preventing iron leaching in acidic foods. The glass enamel itself is inorganic and inherently stable at normal cooking temperatures, making it chemically inert during use. The cast iron core provides durability and even heat distribution.
The brand's record and disclosure
Made In is a relatively new direct-to-consumer cookware brand (founded 2017) with no public safety recalls or documented contamination incidents for their enameled cast iron line. The brand does not publish detailed materials sourcing or third-party test results for enamel composition on their website, and they have not made explicit public statements about PFAS avoidance or other safety certifications. Industry standard for enameled cast iron is PFAS-free, but Made In's specific enamel supplier and formulation remain undisclosed. No regulatory actions or consumer safety complaints appear on record.
How it compares in its category
Made In's enameled cast iron is positioned in the premium segment alongside Le Creuset and Staub, priced higher than budget alternatives like Lodge but without the same depth of published safety documentation. Enameled cast iron as a material class is considered safer than non-stick (Teflon-type coating) or bare cast iron for most users because the enamel eliminates concerns about polymer fume risk and iron over-exposure. Made In's offering is comparable in chemical safety profile to competitors, though transparency about enamel testing lags behind some European brands that publish material certifications.
If you buy it
Use on stovetop and in the oven up to the stated temperature limit (typically 500F for Made In). Avoid rapid temperature swings that can cause enamel crazing or chipping. Inspect the coating regularly for chips or cracks; small flakes are generally safe if rare, but deep damage exposes iron and should trigger replacement. Hand-wash rather than dishwashing to extend enamel life, and avoid abrasive scrubbers. Do not preheat empty on high heat, as this can degrade the enamel bond over time.
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.”
Lead or cadmium in enamel coating
Modern glass enamels for cookware are not formulated with lead or cadmium, and Made In has no documented recalls or test failures for heavy metals. No regulatory body has cited Made In enamel for this hazard. Industry practice for US and EU cookware is to avoid these metals entirely in food-contact coatings.
Enamel chip or crazing exposing base iron
Enameled cast iron can develop surface crazing or chips through mechanical stress, thermal shock, or manufacturing defect. If coating is compromised, iron can leach into acidic foods. Made In does not publish defect rates or warranty terms specific to enamel failure, so frequency is unknown. This is a degradation risk over years of use, not an acute safety issue at purchase.
Aluminum leaching from enamel glaze layer
Made In enameled cast iron uses a cast iron base, not aluminum, so aluminum leaching from the cookware itself is not a concern. Enamel glazes may contain trace alumina as a refractory component, but leaching from vitreous glass at cooking temperatures is minimal and not established as a health risk in peer literature.
Teflon-type coating or other synthetic polymer contamination in enamel
Glass enamel is an inorganic silicate, not a synthetic polymer, and Teflon-type coating is not used in traditional enameling. Made In has not published evidence of Teflon-type coating in their enamel coating. This hazard is not relevant to this product category unless the manufacturer uses non-standard coatings.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from enamel off-gassing
Vitreous enamel is cured and inert after manufacturing and does not off-gas VOCs during use. No reports exist of odor or fume complaints from Made In enameled cast iron at normal cooking temperatures. This is not a recognized hazard for glass enamel products.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 88% 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 Cast Iron Skillets
Caraway
12” Enameled Cast Iron Large Skillet
Enameled cast iron
Lower-concern cookware; enameled cast iron is an inherently safer base, and Caraway has publicly committed to PFAS-free formulations.
⚠Risky category by default
Lodge
Cast Iron Classic Cast Iron Skillets
cast iron (bare or seasoned with oil)
Lower PFAS concern, bare cast iron has no synthetic coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Lodge
Cast Iron Skillet Pan 6"
cast iron, seasoned with oil
Lower PFAS concern, bare cast iron with traditional seasoning, no Teflon-family coating coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
More cast iron skillets 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.