Netherton Foundry · Cast Iron Skillets
Netherton Foundry 10" Spun Iron Sauté Frying Pan & Lid
Lower PFAS concern, traditional cast iron with no synthetic coating.
Netherton Foundry produces hand-spun cast iron cookware with no applied nonstick or Teflon-family coating coatings. Cast iron itself poses no inherent PFAS risk.
Shop Netherton Foundry on Amazon →Material
Spun cast iron, no synthetic nonstick 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
Netherton Foundry's spun cast iron is made from molten iron cast into shape, then finished by hand-spinning rather than machine-grinding or coating with synthetic nonstick layers. This means no Teflon-type coating (Teflon), no polysiloxane resins, and no fluorine-based compounds, just iron with a seasoned surface (typically built up from repeated oil/fat use). Cast iron naturally develops a non-stick patina over time through polymerization of fats during cooking, making it one of the oldest and least chemically complex cookware options available.
The brand's record and disclosure
Netherton Foundry is a UK-based heritage ironfounder (operating since 1880s) specializing in hand-crafted cast iron with minimal industrial intervention. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or certification, and makes no claims about chemical screening, a reflection of their traditional manufacturing philosophy rather than a red flag, since spun cast iron inherently avoids the coatings where PFAS accumulates. No safety recalls, manufacturing controversies, or third-party certifications (BPA-free, lead-free claims) are on record for this product line.
How it compares in its category
Spun cast iron sits at the low-chemical end of the cookware spectrum. Compared to nonstick aluminum (Teflon-type coating/coating breakdown risk), ceramic-coated cast iron (potential lead in glaze, coating durability concerns), or stainless steel with PFOA-legacy manufacturing, plain cast iron avoids synthetic chemical exposure entirely. The trade-off is manual seasoning maintenance and slower initial heat conduction versus modern nonstick alternatives, but no off-gassing, no micropeeling, and proven multi-generational durability.
If you buy it
Season the pan before first use with a thin oil layer (avocado, grapeseed) baked on at high heat. Avoid prolonged soaking or dishwasher cycles, hand wash and dry immediately to prevent rust. Cast iron tolerates high heat (500F+) without degradation and will last decades if re-seasoned periodically. Replace only if significant pitting or warping develops; normal surface rust is cosmetic and removable with salt and oil scrubbing.
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
Cast iron can leach measurable iron into acidic or prolonged-contact foods (tomato sauce, vinegar, wine). This is nutritionally neutral or beneficial for most people but may be a concern for those with hemochromatosis; not a manufacturing defect but inherent to the material.
Lead in historical/reclaimed cast iron
Netherton Foundry's modern production uses contemporary iron sources without intentional lead addition. No recalls or testing data suggest lead contamination in current spun cast iron skillets; heritage cookware is not a documented risk for this brand.
Coating degradation (synthetic nonstick)
Not applicable, this product has no synthetic nonstick coating. Spun cast iron relies on seasoning (built-up oil/fat polymerization), which does not peel, flake, or release particles.
Aluminum leaching
This is cast iron, not aluminum; aluminum leaching concerns do not apply.
Manufacturing off-gassing or volatile organic compounds
Spun cast iron undergoes no chemical finish (no resins, sealants, or polymers), so no off-gassing at normal cooking temperatures. Initial seasoning oil may produce mild smoke but is user-controlled.
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.