Smithey · Griddle Pans
Smithey Cast Iron Double Burner Griddle
Lower-concern cookware; cast iron has no PFAS coating.
Smithey's cast iron double burner griddle is seasoned cast iron with no nonstick Teflon-family coating. Cast iron itself poses negligible PFAS risk. The brand makes no PFAS claims, which is typical for cast iron cookware, no disclosure needed because the material category does not rely on PFAS chemistry.
Shop Smithey on Amazon →Material
Cast iron with seasoning 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.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is bare cast iron with applied seasoning oil, not an enameled or non-stick coated product. Cast iron does not leach harmful chemicals when used normally because iron itself is not a hazardous coating ingredient. The seasoning layer (polymerized oil) builds over time and is food-safe. No Teflon-type coating, no ceramic enamel glaze, no synthetic polymer, the core material carries none of the typical cookware chemical risks.
The brand's record and disclosure
Smithey is a US heritage cast-iron maker with no published health or safety disclosures on their website or product documentation. The brand does not provide material sourcing details, supply-chain transparency, or third-party testing results. No recalls, lawsuits, or adverse reports are on record for this product. The lack of transparency is typical for traditional cast-iron makers but leaves questions about the origin and purity of the iron itself and any additives in the seasoning oil.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron griddles are chemically safer than non-stick (Teflon-type coating/PFOA), ceramic-coated, or enameled griddles because there is no synthetic surface layer to degrade or shed. They require more maintenance (hand-washing, re-seasoning) than modern alternatives but eliminate coating-failure and off-gassing risks. Smithey's double-burner format and heft are premium positioning; the safety profile is identical to any bare cast-iron griddle.
If you buy it
Hand-wash immediately after use (dishwasher damages seasoning), dry thoroughly, and store in a dry location to prevent rust. Do not use excessive heat that smokes the seasoning layer; cast iron can handle high heat but carbonized oil may produce smoke. Re-season annually or as needed by wiping with a thin layer of oil and heating to a low smoke point. Replace only if the cooking surface develops deep pitting that affects heat distribution or if rust cannot be removed; the cast iron itself lasts decades or longer.
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 (trace amounts in acidic foods)
Cast iron can contribute small amounts of iron to acidic or long-cooked foods, but this is considered nutritionally neutral or beneficial for most users. No toxicity risk is established at normal cooking volumes.
Seasoning oil composition and purity
Smithey does not disclose what oil is used for seasoning or its origin. Vegetable oils can contain trace pesticides or molds if sourced from low-quality suppliers; food-grade oil standards apply, but independent verification is not public.
Coating degradation and flaking
Unlike enameled or non-stick cookware, seasoning is not a rigid coating and does not flake or shed fragments. It is continuously renewable and poses no particulate risk.
Lead or cadmium in cast iron
No reports of elevated lead or cadmium in Smithey cast iron. Traditional US and European cast-iron makers are held to indirect standards via FDA food-contact regulations, though specific third-party testing is not disclosed by the brand.
Burn or thermal hazard from uninsulated handle
Double-burner griddles have long handles that span both burners; Smithey's design uses bare cast iron handles without insulation. Users report forearm and hand burns if handles contact hot surfaces or are gripped without thick towels. This is a handling risk, not a chemical hazard, but worth noting for kitchen safety.
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 Griddle Pans
Caraway
Sage Ceramic Non-Stick Square Griddle Pan
Ceramic non-stick coating (proprietary, PFOA/Teflon-type coating-free)
Lower-concern option; ceramic coating and third-party certifications support the PFAS-free claim, though independent lab testing of this specific product line i
⚠Risky category by default
More griddle pans 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.