Smithey Ironware Co. · Cast Iron Skillets
Smithey Ironware No. 11 American Anniversary Skillet
Lower PFAS concern, bare cast iron has no applied coating; buy with confidence.
The Smithey No. 11 is bare cast iron with no nonstick or waterproofing coating. Cast iron cookware contains no PFAS-based surface treatments. While Smithey makes no explicit PFAS claim, the material itself, uncoated iron, carries no known PFAS risk, making this a lower-concern option.
Shop Smithey Ironware Co. on Amazon →Material
Cast iron, bare metal (no 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
This skillet is cast iron with a bare metal surface and no applied enamel, ceramic, or nonstick coating. Cast iron is inherently inert when seasoned with oil; the cooking surface becomes a polymerized fat layer that prevents direct metal contact with food. The material itself does not leach lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals under normal cooking conditions, making bare cast iron one of the safest cookware materials chemically.
The brand's record and disclosure
Smithey Ironware Co. is a small-batch American manufacturer known for heritage-style cast iron. The brand does not widely publicize detailed material safety data sheets or independent third-party testing results, which is typical for traditional cookware makers but limits public transparency. No significant recalls or safety controversies are documented for Smithey skillets in available records. The company emphasizes artisanal production and domestic casting rather than cost-cutting shortcuts.
How it compares in its category
Bare cast iron skillets carry none of the coating-degradation or nonstick chemical risks present in enameled cast iron or Teflon-type coating nonstick pans. They require more maintenance (seasoning, hand-washing) than coated alternatives but avoid the hazard of ingesting coating fragments or fume exposure from overheating. Smithey's manual finishing and quality control put it above mass-produced budget cast iron in durability and consistency, though all bare cast iron functions chemically the same way.
If you buy it
Hand-wash promptly after use and dry immediately to prevent rust; do not soak. Build and maintain a polymerized oil seasoning layer by cooking fatty foods regularly or oven-seasoning with neutral oil. Avoid acidic foods in prolonged contact (tomato sauce, vinegar) as they can strip seasoning and release trace iron into food, though iron is nutritionally safe at normal exposure levels. The skillet will last decades with basic care and will not degrade or shed harmful particles.
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 from bare metal surface
Acidic or prolonged-contact foods (vinegar, citrus, tomato-based dishes) can dissolve the seasoning layer and increase trace iron release. This is not acutely toxic but can affect flavor and nutritional profile; it is manageable through cooking practice and seasoning maintenance.
Rust formation if improperly maintained
Exposure to water, steam, or high humidity without prompt drying can cause surface rust. Rust itself is not a chemical hazard if light, but heavy rust can harbor bacteria and degrade the cooking surface; prevention through proper storage and drying is straightforward.
Coating degradation (not applicable)
Bare cast iron has no applied coating, so coating flaking, peeling, or exposure to Teflon-type coating fumes is not a concern. This eliminates a major hazard present in enameled or nonstick alternatives.
Cadmium or lead in cast iron substrate
Cast iron produced in the United States and tested across reputable manufacturers shows negligible lead or cadmium content in the metal itself. No recalls or safety warnings for Smithey skillets related to heavy metal content are on record.
Manufacturing contaminants or sand inclusions
Hand-cast cookware can occasionally contain small sand particles or casting defects on the surface. Smithey's quality control is generally strong, but visual inspection of the cooking surface before first use and a thorough wash and initial seasoning cycle will address any residue.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 95% 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.