Old Mountain · Cast Iron Skillets
Old Mountain Cast Iron Small 6.5"x10.5" Camping Skillet
Lower concern, traditional cast iron has no nonstick coating or Teflon-family coating surface.
Old Mountain's cast iron camping skillet is bare cast iron, a traditional material with no synthetic nonstick coatings or PFAS-containing Teflon-family coating. The brand makes no PFAS claims because the product construction inherently avoids those chemicals. Seasoning buildup (from oils and use) is natural and not a PFAS treatment.
Shop Old Mountain 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.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
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
Old Mountain cast iron skillets are manufactured from cast iron, a ferrous metal alloy that is either sold bare or pre-seasoned with a thin oil layer. Cast iron contains no synthetic polymers, nonstick coatings, or fluorinated compounds, eliminating the risk of Teflon-type coating fume release or PFAS migration. The material is chemically inert when properly seasoned; the seasoning layer (polymerized oil) acts as a non-toxic barrier that prevents direct metal-to-food contact and reduces rust formation.
The brand's record and disclosure
Old Mountain is a budget-tier cast iron manufacturer with no publicly documented safety certifications, third-party testing disclosures, or formal stance on chemical content. The brand does not publish material safety data sheets or manufacturing transparency reports. No recalls or contamination incidents for Old Mountain cast iron have been recorded in consumer databases. The company's silent posture on PFAS reflects the reality that traditional cast iron formulations do not use PFAS, but the lack of proactive communication is typical of smaller cookware manufacturers.
How it compares in its category
Traditional bare or seasoned cast iron skillets (Old Mountain, Lodge, Victoria) are chemically simpler than enameled cast iron (Le Creuset, Staub) or nonstick aluminum cookware. Enameled versions carry trace risks from ceramic enamel glazes; nonstick aluminum introduces Teflon-type coating fume risk and potential aluminum leaching. Old Mountain's uncoated design eliminates glaze and polymer hazards but requires active seasoning maintenance, whereas enameled models are more convenient and have lower upkeep demands.
If you buy it
Maintain the seasoning layer by oiling lightly after each use and avoiding prolonged water soaking, which can promote rust. Do not use metal utensils aggressively on the cooking surface, as excessive scraping removes seasoning and exposes bare iron. Cast iron performs safely on all heat sources, including campfires, but avoid thermal shock (e.g., heating dry then adding cold liquid). If rust forms, scrub with steel wool and re-season; the skillet is durable and can last decades with basic 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 into acidic foods
Bare cast iron can leach small amounts of iron when cooking acidic foods (tomatoes, vinegar, citrus) over extended periods, particularly if the seasoning layer is thin or compromised. For most users this is negligible or beneficial; iron supplementation is only a concern for individuals with hemochromatosis or iron overload disorders.
Rust formation and maintenance burden
Uncoated cast iron rusts if not dried and oiled promptly after use, especially in humid environments like camping trips. While rust itself is not toxic, it indicates loss of the protective seasoning layer and requires active restoration; poor maintenance can lead to flaking and visible oxidation on food contact surfaces.
Lead or cadmium in cast iron alloy
Modern cast iron cookware, including Old Mountain, does not intentionally contain lead or cadmium; iron ores used in commercial casting are subject to baseline purity standards. No recalls or contamination events have been documented for Old Mountain cast iron.
Seasoning oil degradation and rancidity
Pre-seasoned skillets arrive with factory-applied oil that may oxidize or become rancid during storage, particularly if stored in warm or humid conditions before first use. Inspect the skillet upon arrival; if the seasoning smells off or appears gummy, scrub and re-season with fresh food-grade oil before cooking.
Thermal shock or handle integrity
Old Mountain cast iron skillets have no documented thermal failure or handle detachment issues. Cast iron is durable across temperature extremes; the main risk is user error (sudden cooling or unsafe handling practices).
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.