Victoria · Cast Iron Skillets
Victoria Signature Series 12" Cast Iron Skillet
Lower PFAS concern, traditional cast iron has no nonstick coating or treatment.
Victoria Signature Series cast iron skillets are seasoned cast iron with no applied nonstick coatings or water-resistant treatments. Cast iron itself does not contain or require PFAS. The brand makes no PFAS claims, but the material itself presents lower concern than coated or treated cookware.
Shop Victoria on Amazon →Material
Cast iron, seasoned
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Uncoated safe material
Bare, uncoated material (cast iron, stainless, carbon steel, or glass) with no surface treatment to contain PFAS.
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Victoria Signature Series skillets are solid cast iron with a pre-seasoned surface layer of polymerized oils rather than synthetic nonstick coatings. Cast iron itself is chemically inert when properly maintained; the seasoning is food-safe once cured and does not leach toxic compounds under normal cooking conditions. No Teflon-type coating, PFOA, or other fluorochemicals are involved in the manufacturing or seasoning process.
The brand's record and disclosure
Victoria is a Colombian cast iron manufacturer with decades of market presence but minimal formal chemical disclosure or third-party certifications on their website or public materials. No recalls or safety controversies specific to the Signature Series have been documented. The brand does not publish environmental or health testing data, though traditional cast iron production is inherently lower-risk than nonstick alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron skillets like this one avoid the PFAS and Teflon-type coating risks present in modern hard-anodized aluminum or Teflon-coated cookware. Victoria sits in the mid-market segment; it competes on affordability and traditional seasoning rather than premium certifications. Compared to enameled cast iron, this product has no ceramic or enamel coating to chip or degrade, reducing microplastic and lead concerns from glazes.
If you buy it
Season and maintain the skillet regularly with neutral oil to preserve the protective layer and prevent rust and food sticking. Avoid prolonged soaking or dishwasher use, which can strip seasoning and cause rust. Hand wash immediately after cooking and dry thoroughly. The skillet will develop a darker, harder seasoning over months of use, which is normal and desirable. Replace only if structural cracks develop (rare with proper 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 from unseasoned or damaged surface
If the pre-applied seasoning is compromised by aggressive scrubbing or prolonged acidic food contact, bare iron can leach into food. This is generally safe in small amounts but may be undesirable for those with iron-overload disorders; proper maintenance prevents this.
Rust formation if improperly dried or stored
Cast iron rusts readily if left wet or in humid environments without oil protection. Rust itself is not acutely toxic but compromises the cooking surface and seasoning layer, requiring restoration.
Lead or cadmium in cast iron (foundry origin)
No published recalls or testing data show elevated heavy metals in Victoria cast iron. Modern foundries use scrap iron that may contain trace metals, but Victoria's production standards and long market history suggest compliance within safe limits; independent testing would be required for certainty.
Smoke and volatile organic compounds at high heat
Burning off oil seasoning at very high temperatures can produce smoke and minor VOCs; this is not specific to Victoria and is a property of any cast iron. Use moderate to medium-high heat and ensure adequate ventilation during initial seasoning or heavy use.
Ceramic or enamel coating (N/A for this product)
The Signature Series is bare cast iron with oil seasoning only, so lead or cadmium in enamel glazes are not a concern, unlike enameled cast iron alternatives.
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.