Smithey · Dutch Ovens
Smith & Clark Cast Iron Pumpkin Harvest Dutch Oven
Lower PFAS concern; cast iron with enamel is a traditional cookware category without known Teflon-family coating coatings.
This is a cast-iron Dutch oven with enamel coating from Smithey, a heritage cookware brand. Cast iron and enamel cookware do not typically contain PFOA, Teflon-type coating, or other legacy PFAS chemicals used in modern nonstick coatings.
Shop Smithey on Amazon →Material
Cast iron, 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
This Dutch oven is cast iron with a vitreous enamel coating, a pairing used for centuries without modern safety concerns. The enamel is a glass-like surface fused to iron at high temperature, creating a non-reactive cooking surface that prevents iron leaching while maintaining heat retention. Cast iron itself is inert once seasoned; the enamel's durability depends on avoiding thermal shock and metal-to-metal contact that can chip the coating.
The brand's record and disclosure
Smithey is a premium US-based cookware maker with a transparent manufacturing practice and no recorded safety violations or product recalls related to heavy metals, lead, or cadmium in enameled cookware. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing data, but enameled cast iron as a category does not rely on Teflon-family coating coatings, making PFAS a lower concern than with non-stick cookware. No major certifications (NSF, FDA) are advertised, but this is typical for artisanal cast iron producers and not a red flag.
How it compares in its category
Enameled cast iron Dutch ovens like this occupy the safest tier of cookware regarding synthetic coating hazards because they use traditional glass enamel rather than Teflon-type coating or other non-stick polymers. Compared to ceramic-coated or silicone-coated alternatives, enamel is more durable and less prone to degradation over time, though it is heavier and requires more care to avoid chipping. Le Creuset and Staub (higher-priced competitors) follow the same material chemistry and carry similar safety profiles.
If you buy it
Avoid sudden temperature changes (e.g., cold water on a hot pot) to prevent enamel cracking. Hand wash gently and dry immediately to prevent rust around chips; small chips in the enamel do not pose a health risk if you wipe them dry. If the enamel develops large cracks or flaking that exposes raw iron, the pot can be re-enameled or retired. Use on stovetop and oven up to the manufacturer's stated temperature limit (typically 500F for enamel stability).
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 or cadmium in enamel glaze
Enameled cast iron from established US and European manufacturers including Smithey are not known to contain lead or cadmium in their vitreous enamel coatings. This hazard is primarily historical or associated with imported unlabeled cookware; no recalls or test data suggest concern for this product line.
Enamel coating degradation and flaking
All enameled cookware can chip or crack with thermal shock or impact. Exposure of underlying cast iron is not a safety hazard (iron is a dietary mineral), but sharp edges and poor seasoning of exposed iron can affect food quality. Proper handling and drying minimize risk.
Iron leaching into food
The intact enamel coating prevents iron leaching entirely. Once sealed at manufacture, the glass enamel is non-reactive and does not introduce iron into food. Cast iron cookware is sometimes promoted as a source of dietary iron, but this refers to bare (uncoated) cast iron only.
Thermal stress and cracking
Exposure to rapid temperature swings can damage the enamel bond and create hairline cracks invisible to the eye until flaking occurs. This is a durability issue rather than a direct health hazard, but can be prevented by gradual heating and cooling cycles.
Teflon-type coating or Teflon-family coating non-stick coating
Traditional enameled cast iron contains no Teflon-type coating, silicone, or other synthetic non-stick polymers. The enamel itself is a ceramic glass formulation and carries no known risk of Teflon-family coating fume emissions at normal cooking temperatures.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 85% 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 Dutch Ovens
All-Clad
Crate & Barrel All-Clad Cast Iron Braiser
cast iron, enameled
Lower concern, cast iron and enameled ceramic don't use PFAS-based nonsticks.
⚠Risky category by default
Misen
Missen Dutch Oven 7 Qt
enameled cast iron
Lower PFAS concern, enameled cast iron carries minimal risk if enamel coating is intact.
⚠Risky category by default
Our Place
Dutch Oven Pot
Enameled cast iron (non-stick ceramic enamel coating)
Lower-concern option; brand claims PFAS-free but lacks third-party verification.
⚠Risky category by default
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.