Our Place · Dutch Ovens
Our place Dutch Oven Pot
Lower-concern option; brand claims PFAS-free but lacks third-party verification.
Our Place Dutch Ovens use enameled cast iron with a ceramic-based coating, not traditional Teflon-family coating non-stick. The brand explicitly claims PFOA/Teflon-type coating-free manufacturing.
Brand says: “Our Place states their cookware is manufactured without PFOA and PTFE, and uses a ceramic enamel coating.”
Shop Our Place on Amazon →Material
Enameled cast iron (non-stick ceramic enamel coating)
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states the product is PFAS-free (self-declared).
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
Our Place Dutch Oven uses enameled cast iron with a ceramic-based non-stick enamel coating rather than Teflon-type coating (Teflon). The cast iron substrate is inert; the enamel layer is a silicate-based glass fused to the iron at high temperature, chemically stable under normal cooking conditions. The ceramic non-stick coating avoids the fluorinated compound family entirely, eliminating the primary mechanism for PFAS contamination in traditional non-stick cookware. However, the coating's durability and what happens if it chips or degrades over time depends on the specific formulation, which is proprietary.
The brand's record and disclosure
Our Place markets this product as PFAS-free and has made explicit sustainability commitments around non-toxic cookware. The brand does not appear to have published third-party testing (e.g., from independent labs or certification bodies like NSF) confirming the absence of PFAS, heavy metals in glazes, or other coatings hazards. No significant safety recalls or complaints specific to this Dutch oven model are on record in public databases. The lack of transparency on testing does not indicate a problem but limits independent verification of claims.
How it compares in its category
Traditional enameled cast iron cookware (Le Creuset, Staub, vintage Le Creuset) also uses ceramic enamel without PFAS and has decades of safe use history. Our Place's version is newer-market and marketed as a lifestyle product at a lower price point. The primary category risk (lead or cadmium in enamel glazes) is more common in older or imported cookware with less regulated manufacturing; Our Place's production standard is not publicly detailed but the brand's positioning suggests modern facility controls. Versus bare cast iron, enameling provides a non-reactive surface; versus Teflon-type coating non-stick, ceramic coating avoids fluorinated chemistry.
If you buy it
Use on stovetop and oven at temperatures up to manufacturer specs (typically 400-500F for ceramic-coated cookware). Hand wash rather than dishwasher to preserve the coating; high-heat dishwashing cycles can accelerate degradation. Inspect the enamel annually for chips, cracks, or crazing (fine white lines); if the coating is breached significantly, the cast iron beneath will rust and the non-stick surface is compromised. Avoid thermal shock (rapid heating or cooling) as ceramic coatings are prone to crazing. Store without stacking heavy objects on the lid to prevent chipping.
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.”
Enamel coating degradation and cast iron exposure
If the ceramic enamel coating chips or crazes over time (common in enameled cookware with thermal cycling), bare cast iron is exposed. While cast iron itself is not toxic, exposed bare metal may rust and flake into food, and the non-stick benefit is lost. No specific data on Our Place's enamel durability vs competitors is publicly available.
Lead or cadmium in enamel glaze
Lead and cadmium contamination is a documented risk in some enameled cookware, particularly older or overseas-manufactured items without strict quality control. Our Place does not disclose glaze composition or third-party heavy-metal testing results. No recalls or reported cases linked to this brand's Dutch ovens are on record, but transparency is limited.
Aluminum leaching (if aluminum base)
Our Place Dutch Oven is cast iron, not aluminum, so aluminum leaching is not a concern. Cast iron is chemically inert in normal use and does not leach toxic metals unless the enamel coating is severely compromised.
Ceramic coating thermal stability and fume risk
Ceramic non-stick coatings are generally more thermally stable than Teflon-type coating, but like any polymer-based coating, extreme overheating (well above normal cooking temperatures) can theoretically cause coating degradation. Our Place does not specify the exact coating chemistry or degradation temperature profile. Staying within normal cooking ranges (below 500F) minimizes this risk.
Microplastics or coating shedding during use
Ceramic coatings do not shed microplastics in the way some polymer coatings can. However, mechanical damage (scratching with metal utensils) can cause visible flaking. No reports of ceramic particulates in food from this product are on record, but avoiding abrasive scrubbing and metal utensils reduces any risk.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More dutch ovens 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.