Made In · Cast Iron Skillets
Smithey Ironware Company Cast Iron Skillet No. 12
Lower PFAS concern: bare cast iron has no fluorinated coatings.
Smithey/Made In cast iron skillets are seasoned bare cast iron with no nonstick or Teflon-family coating coatings. PFAS risk is negligible, cast iron cooking surfaces do not rely on per- or polyfluorinated compounds. Brand makes no PFAS claims because the product category does not warrant them.
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Cast iron, bare/seasoned (no synthetic 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
This skillet is bare cast iron, seasoned with oil to create a naturally nonstick surface. Cast iron itself is chemically inert at normal cooking temperatures and does not off-gas or leach fluorinated compounds. The seasoning layer is simply polymerized fat (oil that has bonded to the iron surface through heat), not a synthetic polymer coating, so there is no risk of coating flaking or chemical degradation into food.
The brand's record and disclosure
Made In (the parent brand) does not publicly disclose detailed safety testing or third-party certifications for their cast iron line. No recalls or major safety controversies are on record for Smithey or Made In cast iron cookware. The brand positions itself as a premium cookware maker but has not released statements on PFAS, heavy metal testing, or food-contact safety protocols, which is typical for cast iron specialists who view the material as inherently safe.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron skillets like this one avoid the two major hazards of modern nonstick cookware: Teflon-type coating fume risk (from Teflon) and PFAS chemical exposure from newer nonstick coatings. Compared to enameled cast iron (which can chip and expose iron or contain lead in decorative glazes), bare cast iron eliminates glaze-leaching concerns. The main tradeoff is that bare cast iron requires active seasoning maintenance and will rust if not dried immediately after washing.
If you buy it
Dry the skillet completely after every wash and store it dry to prevent rust. Avoid prolonged soaking. The seasoning layer will improve with repeated use and proper care. Cast iron is durable for decades or longer; replacement is driven by rust damage or loss of seasoning, not material degradation. Do not use steel wool or harsh scouring; wash with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, then dry and lightly oil the surface after each use.
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 at low pH
Bare cast iron can leach small amounts of iron into highly acidic foods (tomato sauce, wine-based dishes, vinegar). For most people this is not a health concern and may even add dietary iron, but those with hemochromatosis should avoid prolonged cooking of acidic foods in cast iron.
Rust and bacterial growth if stored wet
If the skillet is not dried immediately after washing, rust will form on the surface. Rust itself is not toxic, but a rusted, wet skillet can harbor bacteria if left standing. Proper drying eliminates this risk entirely.
Lead or cadmium in vintage or imported cast iron
Modern Smithey/Made In cast iron is produced in the United States and subject to US foundry standards. No recalls or test results showing heavy metal contamination in current Smithey products are on record. This hazard is documented in some vintage and poorly-regulated imported cast iron, but not established for this brand.
Teflon-type coating or synthetic coating risks
Because this is bare cast iron with no nonstick coating, there is no Teflon-type coating fume risk, no PFAS exposure, and no coating degradation hazard. This is a key safety advantage over modern coated nonstick skillets.
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 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.