Netherton Foundry · Cast Iron Skillets
Borough Furnace 10.5" Handmade Cast Iron Frying Skillet
Lower PFAS concern, cast iron is inherently PFAS-free and requires no Teflon-family coating coatings.
Borough Furnace handmade cast iron skillets are traditional cast iron cookware with oil seasoning, not nonstick coatings. Cast iron does not require PFAS-containing Teflon-family coating like Teflon-type coating.
Shop Netherton Foundry on Amazon →Material
Cast iron, pre-seasoned with oil
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 skillet is solid cast iron with a pre-applied oil seasoning layer. Cast iron is chemically inert at typical cooking temperatures and does not require synthetic coatings or Teflon-family coating; the seasoning is a polymerized oil layer that protects against rust and improves non-stick properties. Unlike modern non-stick cookware, cast iron has no fluorinated compounds and no risk of Teflon-type coating fume release. The material itself is food-safe and has been used for centuries.
The brand's record and disclosure
Netherton Foundry is a UK heritage manufacturer with a documented history in traditional cast iron production; no major recalls or safety violations are on public record for this brand. The company does not prominently disclose PFAS testing or certification, but this is not a gap because cast iron requires no Teflon-family coating chemistry. No independent testing controversies or contaminant findings have been published for their skillets.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron skillets are the safest thermal cookware option for avoiding coatings-related hazards. Unlike ceramic-coated cookware (which may contain lead or cadmium in glazes), enameled cast iron (which risks chipping), or modern non-stick (Teflon-type coating or PFOA/PFOS concerns), bare or seasoned cast iron eliminates these risks entirely. Netherton Foundry skillets are handmade to higher standards than mass-produced budget cast iron, with thicker metal and better temperature control.
If you buy it
Cast iron requires periodic seasoning (oil application and heating) to maintain the protective layer; this is a feature, not a flaw. Avoid metal utensils initially; use wood or silicone until seasoning is well-established. Heat to normal cooking temperatures (up to around 500F) poses no safety risk. Over time, the seasoning will degrade with acidic foods or excessive cleaning; re-season as needed by wiping with oil and heating in the oven.
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.”
Seasoning degradation and rust exposure
If the pre-applied seasoning is removed through acidic cooking or aggressive scrubbing, bare cast iron can rust. Rust itself is iron oxide (not toxic in small amounts) but indicates loss of the protective layer. Proper maintenance prevents this; regular oiling restores protection.
Iron leaching into food
Cast iron can leach small amounts of iron into acidic foods (tomato sauce, vinegar, wine). This is not a safety concern for most people and may even be beneficial for iron intake; only problematic for individuals with iron overload disorders (hemochromatosis).
Lead or cadmium in cast material
No testing or recalls have documented lead or cadmium contamination in cast iron from Netherton Foundry or modern cast iron manufacturers. Cast iron ore is naturally low in these heavy metals compared to ceramic glazes, and UK foundries operate under EU/UK material standards.
Thermal shock and breakage
Cast iron is brittle and can crack if rapidly cooled (e.g., plunging hot skillet into cold water). This is a durability issue, not a chemical safety hazard, but cracking can create sharp edges and loss of seasoning. Avoid thermal shock during use.
Oil rancidity or oxidation in seasoning layer
The pre-applied seasoning uses food-grade oil; no evidence suggests rancidity or harmful oxidation products at cooking temperatures. Over years of use, the seasoning becomes more stable and less prone to rancidity as it polymerizes further.
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
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.