Smithey · Cast Iron Skillets
Smithey Ironware Company Cast Iron Skillet No. 12
Lower PFAS concern, cast iron is an inherently safe, non-coated cookware material.
Smithey's No. 12 is solid cast iron seasoned with conventional vegetable oil, not synthetic nonstick coatings. Cast iron cookware has no known PFAS risk profile. The brand does not claim PFAS-free status, but it doesn't need to, the material itself poses negligible concern.
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Cast iron, pre-seasoned with vegetable oil
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.
Uncoated safe material
Bare, uncoated material (cast iron, stainless, carbon steel, or glass) with no surface treatment to contain PFAS.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Smithey No. 12 is solid cast iron with a factory vegetable-oil seasoning layer. Cast iron itself is biologically inert and does not leach harmful chemicals into food under normal cooking conditions, even at high heat. The pre-applied seasoning is a thin polymerized oil layer that builds over time with use and creates a natural non-stick surface without synthetic coatings, polymers, or fluorinated chemicals.
The brand's record and disclosure
Smithey is a U.S.-based cookware manufacturer with a transparent business model and consistent focus on traditional cast-iron methods. The company does not claim third-party certifications but publishes production details and material sourcing on its website. No recalls, PFOA contamination reports, or coating-degradation complaints have been documented for Smithey cast iron products in public safety databases.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron skillets like this eliminate hazards present in non-stick (Teflon-type coating/PFOA) and ceramic-coated cookware, which carry heating risks and potential coating flaking. Smithey's hand-finished approach and heirloom design place it in the premium segment; it is more expensive than mass-produced cast iron but comparable in material safety to other bare or traditionally seasoned cast-iron brands. The main trade-off versus non-stick is slightly longer heating time and the need for re-seasoning maintenance.
If you buy it
Cure the skillet with oil and heat before first use per Smithey's instructions to strengthen the seasoning. Avoid prolonged soaking and use gentle hand-washing after cooking; dishwasher use will strip seasoning. Cast iron can be used at any stovetop temperature and oven heat without coating failure. Re-season annually or as needed if dark, smooth finish begins to appear dull or sticky food residue accumulates; the skillet will last decades and improve with age.
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
Unseasoned or poorly maintained cast iron can release small amounts of dissolved iron into acidic foods (tomato sauce, wine-based dishes). For most people this is nutritionally neutral or beneficial; those with hemochromatosis should limit cast-iron cookware. Smithey's pre-seasoning reduces this risk.
Thermal shock and fracture
Cast iron can crack if exposed to rapid temperature changes (e.g., a cold liquid poured into a hot skillet). This is a physical hazard, not a chemical one, but results in sharp edges and loss of structural integrity. Avoid thermal stress by allowing the pan to cool gradually.
Seasoning degradation over time
The vegetable-oil seasoning layer can wear away with aggressive scrubbing or dishwasher use, exposing bare iron. Once exposed, the pan requires re-seasoning; bare cast iron does not pose a safety risk but loses non-stick properties and is more prone to rust.
Heavy-metal contamination in source ore
Cast iron from reputable manufacturers like Smithey is smelted from standard iron ore with no documented lead or cadmium accumulation. Smithey does not disclose specific ore sourcing, but no recalls or contamination reports exist for their products.
Coating degradation and flaking (non-applicable)
Smithey skillets have no synthetic enamel, ceramic, or non-stick coating, so coating flaking is not a hazard. The seasoning is a natural polymer layer that bonds chemically to the iron surface and does not chip or peel in the manner of enameled cookware.
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 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
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.