Smithey · Griddle Pans
Smithey Dual Handle Skillet No. 14
Lower PFAS concern, cast iron is inherently PFAS-free.
Smithey's Dual Handle Skillet No. 14 is cast iron with no nonstick or synthetic coating, eliminating PFAS risk from Teflon-family coating or water-repellent treatments. Cast iron has been used safely for centuries and requires no chemical coatings. No lab or compliance data needed; the material itself poses no PFAS exposure risk.
Shop Smithey on Amazon →Material
Cast iron, uncoated
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
The Smithey No. 14 is solid cast iron with no applied coating, enamel, or non-stick layer. Cast iron itself is chemically inert when seasoned; it does not leach synthetic compounds, Teflon-type coating fumes, or ceramic glazes into food. The dual handles are also cast iron, eliminating concerns about plastic or coated hardware. The only active chemistry is the seasoning oil (typically food-grade mineral or vegetable oil), which polymerizes during use and poses no toxicity risk.
The brand's record and disclosure
Smithey is a premium US cast iron cookware maker with a strong reputation for craftsmanship but minimal public transparency on safety testing or third-party certifications. The brand does not publish PFAS statements, heavy metal test results, or supply chain audits on their website. No recalls, contamination reports, or safety controversies are on public record for Smithey products. Their silence on testing likely reflects confidence in their uncoated product design rather than evasion, but transparency remains below industry leaders.
How it compares in its category
Uncoated cast iron is the safest category within griddle pans and skillets because it avoids all synthetic coating hazards (Teflon-type coating fumes, enamel lead, ceramic degradation). It is chemically equivalent to vintage cast iron and comparable to competitor offerings from Lodge and Field Company. Enameled cast iron alternatives (Le Creuset, Staub) introduce ceramic glaze and resin risks; non-stick alternatives (T-fal, Calphalon) carry Teflon-type coating and PFOA concerns. On safety grounds, uncoated cast iron ranks highest.
If you buy it
Maintain the seasoning layer by wiping with oil after washing; avoid prolonged soaking or dishwasher use, which degrades the protective film. Do not use metal utensils aggressively, as this removes seasoning and exposes bare iron to rust. Cast iron cookware is essentially permanent and requires no replacement unless structural cracks appear. Avoid heating above 500F with acidic foods (tomato, wine), as high heat and acid can strip seasoning and slightly increase iron leaching, though this remains within safe dietary iron intake.
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 uncoated surface)
Uncoated cast iron can release small amounts of iron into acidic or prolonged-contact foods, especially at high temperatures. This is not a toxicity hazard for most adults (dietary iron is essential) but may be a concern for individuals with hemochromatosis or iron-sensitive conditions. Proper seasoning minimizes this.
Lead or cadmium in cast iron material
No recalls, test results, or reports of lead or cadmium contamination in Smithey or other modern premium cast iron cookware. Raw iron ore used by US manufacturers is not a significant lead source, and Smithey's domestic casting process is not flagged in any published safety database.
Teflon-type coating fume inhalation
Not applicable; Smithey No. 14 is uncoated and contains no Teflon-type coating, Teflon, or non-stick polymer. This hazard is entirely absent.
Ceramic enamel coating degradation or leaching
Not applicable; this skillet has no enamel, glaze, or ceramic coating. Uncoated cast iron does not chip, peel, or degrade into food.
Rust or corrosion if seasoning is lost
Bare cast iron will rust if left wet or unseasoned. Rust itself is not acutely toxic in small amounts (iron oxide is inert) but is aesthetically undesirable and indicates loss of the protective seasoning layer. This is a maintenance issue rather than a chemical safety hazard.
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
GreenPan
Rio Advanced Ceramic Nonstick Griddle
Ceramic-based nonstick coating
Lower concern; ceramic nonstick does not require PFAS, but verify product lot hasn't changed.
⚠Risky category by default
Caraway
West Elm Caraway Non-Stick Ceramic Double Griddle
Ceramic non-stick coating on cast iron base
Lower-concern option; ceramic non-stick is inherently PFAS-free, though independent lab verification would strengthen confidence.
⚠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.