Made In · Griddle Pans
Made In Carbon Steel Half Griddle by Made
Lower PFAS concern, bare carbon steel cookware is not engineered to require PFAS coatings.
Made In's carbon steel griddle is a bare or seasoned steel product with no nonstick or water-resistant coating requiring PFAS. Carbon steel cookware does not use PFOA, Teflon-type coating, or Teflon-family coating treatments. The brand makes no PFAS claims, but the material itself poses minimal PFAS risk.
Shop Made In on Amazon →Material
carbon steel, bare/seasoned
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
This griddle is bare carbon steel, a ferrous alloy containing iron and small amounts of carbon. Unlike non-stick cookware, it has no applied coating such as Teflon-type coating (Teflon) or ceramic that could degrade or release particles. Carbon steel requires seasoning (oil polymerization on the surface) to build a natural non-stick layer and prevent rust. This seasoning is food-safe and actually improves over time with use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Made In is a direct-to-consumer cookware brand known for mid-range stainless steel and carbon steel products. The company does not publicly advertise PFAS testing or certifications, but does not need to because bare carbon steel is not manufactured with PFAS-containing coatings. No significant product recalls or safety controversies specific to this brand are on record in consumer safety databases.
How it compares in its category
Carbon steel griddles sit between cast iron and non-stick as a lower-maintenance alternative. Cast iron requires more seasoning effort but is heavier and lasts indefinitely. Non-stick griddles are easier initially but risk Teflon-type coating wear, fume inhalation if overheated, and eventual coating failure. Carbon steel offers a middle ground: lighter than cast iron, fully recyclable, and free of synthetic coatings or chemical leaching concerns.
If you buy it
Season the griddle before first use by applying a thin oil layer and heating to just below the smoke point, then wipe and cool. Keep heat at medium to medium-high; carbon steel can handle high temps but prolonged use above 500 F may degrade seasoning. Hand-wash after use with hot water and minimal soap, then dry immediately and apply a light oil coat. Re-season every few months or after acidic cooking (tomatoes, vinegar) to maintain the protective layer.
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
Bare carbon steel can leach small amounts of iron into food, especially acidic foods or prolonged storage. This is not toxic (iron is essential) but may affect taste of highly acidic dishes. Proper seasoning reduces this risk significantly.
Rust formation
Unseasoned or poorly maintained carbon steel will rust rapidly if exposed to moisture. Rust itself is non-toxic ingested in tiny amounts, but visible rust indicates loss of seasoning and potential iron oxidation. Regular drying and oiling prevent this entirely.
Thermal damage from improper use
Placing a hot carbon steel griddle on cold water or wet surfaces can cause warping or cracking. Seasoning layer may also flake if griddle is repeatedly soaked or scrubbed aggressively with abrasive tools. Gentle care prevents this.
Manufacturing mill scale or residue
Made In carbon steel cookware is cleaned and de-scaled during manufacturing. No recalls or reports of mill scale contamination in finished products from this brand exist in public records.
Lead or cadmium in bare steel
Modern carbon steel cookware is not glazed or enameled, so there is no ceramic or enamel coating that could contain lead or cadmium pigments. The base steel itself is subject to food-contact material regulations and is not a known source of heavy metals.
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.