Smithfield · Cast Iron Skillets
Smithey Cast Iron Chef Skillet No. 8
Lower PFAS concern; traditional cast iron poses minimal forever-chemical risk.
Smithey cast iron skillets are bare cast iron with seasoned finishes, no Teflon-family coating nonstick coatings or water-repellent treatments. Cast iron inherently carries lower PFAS risk than synthetic nonstick cookware. The brand makes no PFAS claims, but that silence reflects the product category itself, not a red flag.
Shop Smithfield on Amazon →Material
Cast iron, bare seasoned surface
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 Cast Iron Chef Skillet No. 8 is bare cast iron with a factory-applied seasoning layer (typically a baked-on oil coating). Cast iron itself is inert and does not leach harmful chemicals into food under normal use. The seasoning is a polymerized fat film, not a synthetic coating, so there is no risk of Teflon-type coating fumes, lead glazing, or ceramic enamel degradation typical of coated cookware.
The brand's record and disclosure
Smithey is a small-batch American cast iron manufacturer focused on traditional production methods. The brand does not publish detailed material safety disclosures or third-party testing results on their website. No recalls, contamination incidents, or regulatory actions are on record for Smithey cast iron. The silent stance on PFAS is consistent with the fact that bare cast iron, by design, does not involve the fluorinated coatings that require such disclosure.
How it compares in its category
Bare cast iron ranks among the safest cookware options available. Unlike nonstick skillets (which use Teflon-type coating or ceramic coatings with attendant risks), enameled cast iron (which can chip and expose iron or lead), or aluminum cookware (which may leach), uncoated cast iron has no synthetic surface layer to degrade or off-gas. Smithey's hand-finished approach is comparable to competitors like Lodge and Le Creuset's enameled line, though Smithey's bare format eliminates enamel-specific risks.
If you buy it
Cast iron requires seasoning maintenance: hand-wash, dry immediately, and apply a light oil coat after each use to prevent rust. Avoid prolonged soaking or dishwasher use. Cast iron is safe at any stovetop temperature but slower to heat than nonstick. The skillet will outlast most cookware if maintained; replacement is only necessary if severe rust or structural damage develops. Pre-seasoned cast iron typically requires a break-in period of repeated cooking to build a stronger, more nonstick patina.
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 at high acidity
Cast iron can leach iron into highly acidic foods (tomato sauce, vinegar, wine) especially in new or poorly seasoned pans. This is not a toxicological hazard for most people, but those with iron-overload conditions should be aware. The effect diminishes as seasoning builds.
Rust if improperly maintained
If left wet or stored in humid conditions, bare cast iron will develop surface rust. While iron oxide itself is not toxic, extensive rust degrades the seasoning layer and may affect food quality. This is a maintenance issue, not an inherent material hazard.
Lead or cadmium in seasoning oil (supplier dependent)
Smithey does not disclose the source or composition of its factory seasoning oil. If sourced from reputable food-grade oil suppliers, contamination risk is negligible. No recalls or test results indicating heavy-metal contamination are on record for Smithey cast iron.
Coating degradation (not applicable to bare iron)
Bare cast iron has no synthetic coating to chip or degrade. The seasoning is a natural oil polymerization layer that improves with use. This is a non-hazard for this product category.
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.