Smithey · Griddle Pans
Smithey Ironware Cast Iron Grill Pan No. 12
Lower-concern cookware, bare cast iron has no PFAS coating layer.
Smithey's cast iron grill pan is seasoned cast iron without any synthetic nonstick or Teflon-family coating, which eliminates the typical PFAS vectors in coated cookware. Cast iron naturally resists sticking when properly seasoned with oil.
Shop Smithey on Amazon →Material
Cast iron, seasoned (no Teflon-family 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
Smithey No. 12 is cast iron with a factory seasoning layer (typically a baked-on oil finish, not a synthetic Teflon-family coating). Cast iron itself is chemically inert at normal cooking temperatures and does not leach hazardous compounds into food. The seasoning is a polymer matrix formed by polymerized fats, which hardens through heat treatment. This construction eliminates the Teflon-type coating/PFAS exposure risk present in non-stick coated alternatives.
The brand's record and disclosure
Smithey is a US-based heritage cookware manufacturer with a reputation for traditional cast-iron production and restoration. The brand does not make explicit PFAS-free claims in marketing, but their product line consists entirely of bare or seasoned cast iron without synthetic non-stick coatings, which inherently avoids PFAS. No safety recalls or health controversies related to Smithey cast iron are on public record.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron grill pans occupy a lower-risk position compared to Teflon-type coating or ceramic non-stick griddles, which may off-gas or degrade over time. Unlike enameled cast iron, bare seasoned cast iron has no glaze layer that could potentially contain lead or cadmium, though enameled versions are also considered safe if the enamel remains intact. The trade-off is that bare cast iron requires active seasoning maintenance and is not dishwasher safe; convenience cookware scores lower on durability per dollar.
If you buy it
Hand-wash immediately after use and dry completely to prevent rust. Avoid prolonged soaking or acidic foods, which can strip seasoning. Reseason periodically by wiping a thin layer of oil and heating to smoke point. Cast iron is safe at any stovetop or oven temperature; the seasoning layer will naturally degrade over years of use but can be restored. Replace if rust penetrates deeply or the surface becomes severely pitted and unsafe to cook on.
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 into acidic foods
Bare cast iron can transfer small amounts of elemental iron into highly acidic foods (tomato sauce, vinegar, wine). For most people this is nutritionally benign or even beneficial; those with iron-overload disorders (hemochromatosis) should use it cautiously or avoid.
Rust if seasoning degrades
If the seasoning layer is damaged or not maintained, bare cast iron will rust. Light surface rust is cosmetic; heavy rust can flake into food and should trigger replacement or professional restoration.
Lead or cadmium in factory seasoning oil
No recalls or reports of heavy-metal contamination in Smithey seasoning have been documented. Factory-applied seasoning is typically food-grade mineral or vegetable oil hardened by heat; risk is very low but not zero for any mass-produced product.
Thermal shock or cracking
Cast iron can crack if exposed to sudden temperature changes (e.g., moving from stovetop directly into cold water). This is a structural hazard, not a chemical one, but compromises the pan's integrity over time.
Teflon-type coating or PFAS in coating (ruled out for this product)
Smithey No. 12 is bare seasoned cast iron with no synthetic non-stick layer, so Teflon-type coating fume risk and PFAS leaching do not apply to this specific product.
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.