Smithey · Cast Iron Skillets
Smithey No. 10 Cast Iron Skillet
Lower concern, traditional cast iron has no PFAS-prone coatings.
Smithey's No. 10 is bare cast iron seasoned with oil, a PFAS-risk category inherently lower than nonstick cookware. The brand makes no PFAS claims and provides no third-party testing, but the material itself, pre-seasoned cast iron, has no known Teflon-family coating or water-repellent treatments that typically introduce forever…
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Cast iron, seasoned with 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.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
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. 10 is solid cast iron with an applied oil-based seasoning layer, not an enamel or synthetic nonstick coating. Cast iron itself is inert under normal cooking conditions and does not degrade into the food. The seasoning is a polymerized oil layer that hardens through heat and repeated use, chemically distinct from applied enamel glazes or Teflon-type coating nonstick surfaces that carry known leaching risks.
The brand's record and disclosure
Smithey is a premium US cookware maker with a reputation for hand-finished cast iron and transparency about materials and sourcing. The company does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or certifications for its products, and maintains a largely silent stance on chemical safety beyond traditional cast iron practice. No recalls, contamination reports, or documented chemical safety incidents are on record for this product line.
How it compares in its category
Traditional cast iron skillets like this Smithey piece avoid the hazard profile of enameled cast iron (lead or cadmium in glazes), ceramic nonstick (coating degradation), and Teflon-type coating nonstick (fume risk above 500°F). Hand-seasoned cast iron is the simplest category design and carries the lowest chemical complexity in the cookware market, though it requires active maintenance.
If you buy it
Season and maintain regularly with food-grade oil to preserve the seasoning layer and prevent rust; avoid prolonged soaking or dishwasher use. Cast iron can leach small amounts of dietary iron, which is nutritionally beneficial for most people but should be monitored by those with iron-overload conditions. Do not heat empty above 500°F as seasoning can break down; typical stovetop and oven use poses no hazard. Replace only if the cooking surface becomes severely pitted or cracked.
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 food
Cast iron naturally leaches trace iron during cooking, especially with acidic foods. This is generally nutritionally benign or beneficial for most consumers but should be considered by those with hemochromatosis or iron-overload disorders.
Seasoning degradation and rust
If seasoning is not maintained through regular oiling and use, bare cast iron can rust. Rust itself is not a direct toxin but indicates loss of the protective layer; worn or heavily oxidized cookware should be reseasoned or replaced.
Lead or cadmium in historical cast iron
Vintage cast iron can contain lead in certain enameled coatings or from legacy smelting practices. Smithey is a modern manufacturer using contemporary foundry standards; no lead or cadmium contamination has been documented in their products.
Coating applied to handle or exterior
Smithey cast iron skillets have uncoated handles and exteriors. No synthetic finishes, varnishes, or paint are applied to this product that could off-gas or degrade.
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
Lodge
Cast Iron Classic Cast Iron Skillets
cast iron (bare or seasoned with oil)
Lower PFAS concern, bare cast iron has no synthetic coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Lodge
Cast Iron Skillet Pan 6"
cast iron, seasoned with oil
Lower PFAS concern, bare cast iron with traditional seasoning, no Teflon-family coating coatings.
⚠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.