Stargazer Cast Iron · Cast Iron Skillets
10.5-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
Lower PFAS concern, cast iron is a bare, non-coated cookware material.
Stargazer Cast Iron skillets are bare cast iron with no applied nonstick or protective coating, so PFAS contamination from coatings is not a pathway. Cast iron is a traditional cookware material with no known fluorinated compounds.
Shop Stargazer Cast Iron on Amazon →Material
Cast iron, bare metal 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.
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
This skillet is raw cast iron, an iron-carbon alloy with no applied coatings, glazes, or non-stick layers. Cast iron's density and thermal properties make it durable for decades, but the bare metal surface requires seasoning (oil polymerization) to prevent rust and food interaction. Unlike enameled or ceramic-coated skillets, there are no enamel glazes, organic polymers, or resins that can chip, degrade, or leach contaminants into food over time.
The brand's record and disclosure
Stargazer Cast Iron is a US-based manufacturer with a strong reputation in the modern cast iron revival market. The brand does not prominently publish detailed material certifications or third-party testing summaries on their website, but cast iron inherently carries minimal regulatory burden since it is a simple metal alloy with no coatings or chemical treatments to disclose. No recalls or safety controversies are publicly documented for Stargazer cast iron products.
How it compares in its category
Bare cast iron skillets carry lower hazard profiles than enameled cast iron (which can have lead in enamel, though modern brands rarely do) or non-stick ceramic or Teflon-type coating-coated skillets (which pose fume and degradation risks). Stargazer's bare-metal approach is identical in material safety to brands like Lodge or Smithey; the main differences are manufacturing precision, weight distribution, and seasoning finish, not chemical safety.
If you buy it
Maintain the seasoning by hand-washing, drying immediately, and lightly oiling after each use; avoid prolonged soaking or dishwasher exposure, which promote rust. Cast iron can handle high heat safely (well above typical stovetop temperatures) without risk of fume release or coating breakdown. Replace or refinish only if deep rust pits develop or seasoning becomes severely compromised; the bare metal itself does not degrade. Store in a dry place to prevent rust formation.
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 low pH
Bare cast iron can leach iron into acidic foods (tomatoes, wine, vinegar) during prolonged cooking. For most users this is nutritionally neutral or beneficial, but individuals with hemochromatosis should limit contact or use seasoned cookware with thicker, more stable seasoning layers.
Seasoning oil degradation and rancidity
The protective seasoning layer depends on polymerized oil. If oil is stored improperly or the skillet is exposed to high humidity, rancid oils can develop. This is a storage and maintenance issue, not a manufacturing defect, and is easily prevented by proper care.
Lead or cadmium in mining or smelting residues
Modern cast iron sourced and processed in regulated foundries (as Stargazer's US production suggests) does not carry documented lead or cadmium contamination. Historical or informal casting operations pose higher risk, but no reports exist for Stargazer.
Rust and microbial growth if improperly stored
Bare metal left wet or in high-humidity environments will rust, creating pits that can harbor bacteria. This is a usage and storage issue, not a product defect. Regular drying and oil coating prevent this entirely.
Manufacturing residues or foundry contamination
Stargazer uses established US foundry practices and does not disclose specific testing for residual sand, mold release agents, or other foundry byproducts. No contamination events are publicly documented. Standard pre-use seasoning curing mitigates any minor residue risk.
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.