Netherton Foundry · Cast Iron Skillets
Netherton Foundry frying pan
Lower-concern choice, cast iron has no PFAS coating history.
Netherton Foundry produces traditional cast-iron cookware with no nonstick or synthetic coatings. Cast iron does not require PFAS-based treatments and has no documented PFAS risk. The brand makes no PFAS claims because the product category itself, bare seasoned metal, does not typically involve fluorochemicals.
Shop Netherton Foundry on Amazon →Material
Cast iron (bare or 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
Netherton Foundry skillets are hand-cast from grey iron, a traditional alloy of iron, carbon, and silicon with no synthetic polymer coatings. This material composition is inherently stable at cooking temperatures and does not off-gas synthetic chemicals, unlike non-stick cookware. Cast iron naturally develops a polymerized seasoning layer (oxidized oil) when used, which is both non-toxic and self-replenishing with proper care.
The brand's record and disclosure
Netherton Foundry is a UK-based heritage foundry operating since the 1880s with documented commitment to traditional hand-casting methods and local sourcing. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS-related statements, but this absence is not a red flag for cast iron, which has never used PFAS-based non-stick coatings. No safety recalls or contamination incidents are on record for this brand.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron skillets are among the lowest-hazard cookware options available because they lack synthetic coatings that can degrade or leach. Netherton Foundry's hand-cast method is more expensive than mass-produced alternatives but produces thicker, more durable cookware with minimal quality variability. Compared to ceramic non-stick, anodized aluminum, or Teflon-type coating-coated pans, bare or seasoned cast iron eliminates coating-related hazards entirely.
If you buy it
Cast iron can withstand any stovetop heat (including very high flame) without degradation. Maintain the seasoning by avoiding prolonged soaking, dry thoroughly after washing, and occasionally oil-season in a low oven (around 200°C for 1 hour). Pre-seasoned Netherton pans will darken and improve with use. Replace only if structural damage (cracks, warping) occurs, which is rare with proper care.
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 (general cast iron property)
Cast iron can leach small amounts of iron into acidic foods (tomatoes, vinegar, wine). This is generally considered safe or even beneficial for most people, but those with iron overload disorders (hemochromatosis) should consult medical guidance before regular use.
Lead or cadmium in enamel coatings
Netherton Foundry produces bare cast iron and traditionally seasoned pieces without enamel glazes. No enameled variants from this brand are documented in standard retail channels, so this hazard does not apply.
Teflon-type coating (Teflon) fume risk
Netherton Foundry cast iron contains no synthetic polymer coatings or Teflon-type coating. This hazard is entirely absent from the product.
Coating degradation over time
Seasoning on cast iron is organic (oxidized oil, not a polymer) and does not degrade into particles or leachables. If seasoning wears in spots, it simply restores with normal cooking use.
Aluminum leaching
Netherton Foundry skillets are cast iron, not aluminum. This hazard does not apply.
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.