Netherton Foundry · Cast Iron Skillets
Frying pan 26CM
Lower PFAS concern, cast iron cookware has no inherent Teflon-family coating coatings or PFAS-dependent finishes.
Netherton Foundry makes traditional cast iron frying pans cast and seasoned without synthetic nonstick coatings. Cast iron does not rely on PFAS-based surface treatments. The brand makes no PFAS claims because the material category itself presents minimal fluorochemical risk.
Shop Netherton Foundry on Amazon →Material
Cast iron
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
Netherton Foundry produces cast iron cookware using traditional sand-casting methods, resulting in unseasoned or pre-seasoned cast iron with no synthetic polymer coatings. Cast iron is chemically inert at normal cooking temperatures and does not rely on Teflon-family coating, vinyl, or other PFAS-containing finishes. The material's porosity means seasoning (a polymerized fat layer) protects the surface rather than a factory coating. This eliminates coating degradation risks and microplastic shedding common in non-stick alternatives.
The brand's record and disclosure
Netherton Foundry is a UK-based heritage manufacturer with no documented safety recalls, compliance violations, or public health warnings on record. The company does not publish formal safety certifications or detailed material disclosures on its website, which is typical for traditional cookware makers rather than a transparency concern. No independent testing results or third-party certifications (e.g., FDA clearance, NSF listing) are readily available for this specific model. The brand's silence on PFAS reflects the product category's non-reliance on such chemicals rather than evasion.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron skillets like this one are among the safest cookware options because they lack synthetic coatings entirely, unlike ceramic-coated or non-stick alternatives that may degrade or off-gas. Compared to enameled cast iron (which adds a glass coating that can chip, exposing iron), bare cast iron requires seasoning maintenance but poses no coating-related contamination risk. Netherton Foundry's traditional casting approach sits firmly in the lower-risk end of the cast iron market, competing primarily on durability and heat retention rather than coating innovation.
If you buy it
Season and maintain the pan regularly with high-smoke-point oils (grapeseed, avocado, or vegetable oil) to prevent rust and build the protective fat layer. Avoid prolonged soaking or dishwasher use; hand-wash and dry immediately after cooking. Cast iron can be used on all heat sources including open flame and oven temperatures well above typical stovetop ranges. Replace only if the surface develops deep rust pitting that cannot be restored through re-seasoning or if structural cracks appear.
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 into acidic foods
Cast iron can transfer small amounts of iron into acidic dishes (tomato sauce, wine, citrus). This is generally beneficial for iron intake but may be undesirable for individuals with hemochromatosis or iron-overload conditions; no toxicity at normal cooking levels is established.
Lead or cadmium in recycled iron stock
Netherton Foundry has no public record of lead or heavy metal contamination in finished cookware. Cast iron sourcing and testing protocols are not disclosed, but no recalls or independent lab findings document this hazard for the brand.
Seasoning oil degradation and off-gassing
Oils applied during seasoning or user maintenance can oxidize at high heat, especially if low-smoke-point oils are used. This produces normal cooking byproducts (aldehydes, acrolein) rather than synthetic coating fumes, but ventilation during high-heat cooking is still advisable.
Bacterial or mold growth in stored seasoning layer
If the pan is stored damp or in humid conditions without drying, the porous surface and seasoning can harbor mold. Proper immediate drying and occasional re-seasoning prevent this; the risk is maintenance-related rather than material-based.
Burn or thermal injury from handle
Cast iron skillets conduct heat uniformly along the entire pan, including the handle. The 26 cm size suggests a traditional metal handle with no insulation; users must use pot holders at all times, a standard safety practice for cast iron rather than a product defect.
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.