Smithey Ironware Co. · Cast Iron Skillets
Smithey Ironware Cast Iron Skillet No. 6
Lower concern, traditional cast iron with no synthetic coatings or PFAS-prone treatments.
Smithey's No. 6 is solid cast iron seasoned with food-grade oil, a material class with no inherent PFAS risk. The brand makes no claims about PFAS (silent stance), but cast iron cookware is structurally incompatible with Teflon-family coating nonstick coatings and durable water repellents.
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Cast iron, seasoned with oil
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Uncoated safe material
Bare, uncoated material (cast iron, stainless, carbon steel, or glass) with no surface treatment to contain PFAS.
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Smithey No. 6 is solid cast iron, a naturally porous ferrous metal seasoned with food-grade oil to build a protective polymer layer. Cast iron contains no synthetic polymer coatings, glazes, or enamel finishes that could degrade and leach chemicals. The seasoning, typically soybean or grapeseed oil, carbonizes under heat to form a non-stick surface and does not rely on Teflon-type coating (Teflon), ceramic coatings, or other chemical treatments prone to fume release or breakdown.
The brand's record and disclosure
Smithey Ironware Co. does not publicly disclose extensive material testing or third-party certifications for this product. The brand makes no explicit PFAS statements and has no documented recalls or safety controversies tied to the No. 6 skillet. As a heritage cast iron manufacturer, Smithey emphasizes traditional methods and does not use non-stick chemical treatments, which aligns with lower chemical hazard exposure compared to modern non-stick cookware brands.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron skillets are among the lowest-risk cookware materials chemically because they lack synthetic coatings that can degrade. Unlike non-stick (Teflon-type coating or ceramic-coated) pans, cast iron poses no fume inhalation risk at normal cooking temperatures. Compared to enameled cast iron, bare cast iron avoids concerns about lead or cadmium in glaze, though it requires active seasoning maintenance and is not oven-safe above 500F without potential damage to the seasoning layer.
If you buy it
Hand-wash only; avoid dishwasher, which strips seasoning. Dry immediately after washing and apply a thin oil layer while warm to prevent rust. Do not use at temperatures above 500F for extended periods, as the oil seasoning will smoke heavily and degrade. Replace or re-season if rust spots develop or seasoning becomes patchy; this is normal wear and easily reversible 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 (normal and minimal)
Cast iron can leach small amounts of iron into acidic or prolonged-contact foods, but this is not a toxicological hazard for most people and may provide supplemental dietary iron. Risk is negligible for typical cooking use.
Rust and bacterial growth if not maintained
Failure to dry and re-season regularly allows rust formation and creates an environment where Clostridium botulinum could theoretically proliferate in anaerobic pits. This is a food safety risk only if severe rust is ignored for weeks and food is stored in the pan.
Coating degradation over time
The oil seasoning is not a toxic coating and degrades into carbon and oxidized fats, not harmful chemicals. No documented cases of seasoning-related illness from Smithey or similar bare cast iron products.
Thermal stress and cracking
Rapid temperature changes (e.g., cold water on a hot pan) can cause thermal shock and cracking. While this is a durability issue, not a chemical hazard, cracked cast iron can trap moisture and promote rust in the fracture.
Cadmium or lead in historical cast iron
Modern cast iron from reputable US and European makers like Smithey does not use heavy-metal-contaminated scrap. Historical vintage cast iron may have higher risk; this product carries no known contamination.
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.