Smithey · Griddle Pans
Smithey No. 10 Flat Top Griddle
Lower PFAS concern; cast iron griddles contain no Teflon-family coating coatings by design.
The Smithey No. 10 Flat Top Griddle is seasoned cast iron with no nonstick synthetic coating. Cast iron griddles do not use Teflon-type coating, Teflon-family coating, or PFAS-based water/stain treatments in their manufacture. No PFAS risk signals are present for this product category.
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. 10 is solid cast iron with no applied coating, enamel, or ceramic finish. This material choice is significant because it eliminates the entire class of synthetic coating hazards (Teflon-type coating off-gassing, ceramic glaze lead, enamel degradation). Cast iron itself is chemically inert at typical cooking temperatures and does not leach metals into food under normal use. The trade-off is that bare cast iron requires seasoning (oil buildup) and active maintenance to prevent rust.
The brand's record and disclosure
Smithey is a US-based cast iron manufacturer with no documented product recalls or safety controversies on public record. The brand does not prominently advertise third-party certifications (NSF, FDA compliance statements) on available marketing materials, which is typical for cast iron cookware but reflects a minimal disclosure posture. No PFAS-related statements from Smithey are known, though this is consistent with the category, since bare cast iron inherently contains no Teflon-family coating.
How it compares in its category
Bare cast iron griddles avoid hazards that plague enameled, ceramic-coated, or non-stick alternatives. Enameled cast iron risks lead or cadmium in glazes and chipping exposing raw iron; ceramic-coated griddles can degrade and flake; non-stick griddles carry Teflon-type coating fume risk and coating failure over time. The Smithey's uncoated design is the safest approach for long-term chemical stability, though it demands more user maintenance than modern coated options.
If you buy it
Season the griddle before use with a thin coat of neutral oil (vegetable, grapeseed) and heat to smoke point; repeat 5-6 times to build a non-stick layer. Avoid prolonged acidic foods (tomatoes, vinegar, citrus) on unsealed iron, as acids can strip seasoning and cause minor leaching. Hand-wash immediately after use and dry thoroughly to prevent rust; store in a dry place. The griddle will last decades if maintained; replace only if structural cracks develop (rare with care).
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
Bare cast iron can leach small amounts of iron into acidic or prolonged-contact foods, especially if seasoning is thin or worn. This is generally safe for most people but may be a concern for those with hemochromatosis or iron-overload disorders. Seasoning maintenance mitigates this risk significantly.
Coating degradation (not applicable)
No coating means no risk of degradation, chipping, or flaking that occurs with enameled or ceramic cast iron. This is a strength of the bare iron design.
Rust and oxide formation
Uncoated cast iron oxidizes if not dried and seasoned regularly. Rust itself is not acutely toxic, but it degrades the cookware surface and can affect non-stick properties. Proper drying and storage eliminate this hazard.
Lead or cadmium in raw iron
Cast iron cookware in the US is not subject to lead restrictions as stringently as ceramics, but intentional lead contamination in raw iron is not a documented practice by reputable manufacturers. No recalls or test data implicating Smithey griddles in heavy metal contamination are on record.
Thermal damage from overheating
Cast iron is stable at all normal stovetop and oven temperatures (up to 500F+). No off-gassing, polymer breakdown, or structural failure occurs from heat exposure within residential cooking ranges.
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.