Our Place · Cast Iron Skillets
Our Place Cast Iron Always Pan
Lower PFAS concern, cast iron with standard enamel is a traditionally safe cookware choice.
The Always Pan is cast iron with a fired enamel coating, materials with a long safety history that do not require PFAS-based Teflon-family coating. Our Place does not make PFAS claims or seek certifications, but public materials confirm the core construction avoids nonstick Teflon-family coating coatings.
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cast iron with enamel 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
The Always Pan is cast iron with a vitreous enamel coating, a glass-like surface fused to the metal at high temperature. This coating acts as a barrier between food and the iron underneath, preventing iron leaching at normal cooking temperatures. Enamel-coated cast iron has been used safely for decades; the enamel itself is inert once cured and does not off-gas toxic fumes under typical stovetop and oven use (below 500F).
The brand's record and disclosure
Our Place has not published detailed safety certifications or third-party testing results for heavy metals or coating composition on their website or public materials. No product recalls, coating failures, or contamination reports have been documented for the Always Pan. The brand's silence on PFAS does not indicate use of PFAS-coated cookware, but transparency on enamel sourcing and lead/cadmium testing would strengthen consumer confidence.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron skillets with enamel coatings (like Le Creuset, Staub, and Lodge enameled lines) are considered among the safest cookware options available. Unlike non-stick coatings that may contain Teflon-type coating or other synthetic polymers, enamel is a stable mineral glass and does not degrade into airborne particles. The Always Pan's modern design and multi-use shape are marketing strengths, but the safety profile is consistent with traditional enameled cast iron.
If you buy it
Avoid sudden temperature shocks (do not move from stovetop directly into ice water), which can crack the enamel; hand wash rather than dishwasher to prevent chipping at high temperatures. Do not use above 500F oven temperature to avoid potential thermal stress to the enamel. If enamel chips or flakes expose the iron underneath, the pan becomes prone to rust and food contact with unglazed iron; replacement is advisable. Cure and season the pan according to manufacturer instructions to optimize performance.
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.”
Lead/cadmium in enamel glaze
No lead or cadmium contamination has been reported for Our Place Always Pan or typical modern vitreous enamel cookware. European and US regulations restrict lead in food-contact ceramics and enamels, and major cast iron manufacturers test for compliance, though Our Place has not published their test data publicly.
Enamel coating degradation and chipping
Enamel coatings can chip with impact or thermal shock, exposing cast iron underneath. This is a durability and rust issue rather than acute toxicity, but prolonged contact with bare iron can increase dietary iron intake and accelerate corrosion. Regular inspection and prompt replacement if damage occurs minimizes this risk.
Teflon-type coating or synthetic non-stick coatings
The Always Pan uses traditional enamel, not Teflon-type coating-based non-stick surfaces, so Teflon-type coating fume risk and polymer particle shedding are not applicable. This is a material advantage over many modern multi-use cookware designs.
Aluminum leaching
Cast iron cookware does not contain aluminum, so leaching of aluminum compounds is not a concern. The iron itself may leach slightly into acidic foods, but this is negligible and generally considered nutritionally inert or even beneficial for those with low iron intake.
Off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Vitreous enamel does not emit VOCs during normal cooking. Unlike powder-coated or polymer-based cookware, enamel-coated cast iron poses no off-gassing risk at residential cooking temperatures.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 82% 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.