The Best Non-Toxic Cast Iron Skillets of 2026
We scored 15 cast iron skillets for PFAS forever chemicals and other hazards, then ranked them safest first. The top pick is Lodge Lodge Cast Iron Classic Cast Iron Skillets at 90/100. Every score below links to the full breakdown of what earned it.
20% of the 15 cast iron skillets we scored fail our PFAS and toxin screen.
The safest PFAS-free cast iron skillets we have scored
- 1
Lodge
Cast Iron Classic Cast Iron Skillets
cast iron (bare or seasoned with oil)
PFAS Grade90ExcellentOverall Grade78Excellent⛏️70Iron leaching into food
Limited concern
⚠️70Rust formation and corrosion
Limited concern
⚠️70Thermal shock and cracking
Limited concern
Low risk, bare cast iron has no synthetic nonstick coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
- 2
Lodge
Cast Iron Skillet Pan 6"
cast iron, seasoned with oil
PFAS Grade90ExcellentOverall Grade78Excellent⛏️70Iron leaching
Limited concern
⚠️70Rust and oxidation
Limited concern
⏳70Coating degradation (seasoning loss)
Limited concern
Low risk, bare cast iron with traditional seasoning, no Teflon-family coating coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
- 3
Le Creuset
Traditional Skillet
Enameled cast iron
PFAS Grade90ExcellentOverall Grade86Excellent🫧70Enamel coating degradation and particle release
Limited concern
Low risk, enameled cast iron doesn't require PFAS-based coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
- 4
Field Company
Field Co. Cast Iron Skillet No. 8
cast iron, bare/seasoned surface
PFAS Grade90ExcellentOverall Grade76Excellent⛏️70Iron leaching into acidic foods
Limited concern
⚠️45Rust and surface corrosion
Moderate concern
Low risk, bare cast iron is a conventional, non-coated cookware choice.
⚠Risky category by default
- 5
Smithey
Ironware Company Cast Iron Skillet No. 12
Cast iron, pre-seasoned with vegetable oil
PFAS Grade90ExcellentOverall Grade78Excellent⛏️70Iron leaching
Limited concern
⚠️70Thermal shock and fracture
Limited concern
⏳70Seasoning degradation over time
Limited concern
Low risk, cast iron is an inherently safe, non-coated cookware material.
⚠Risky category by default
- 6
Smithey
Cast Iron Chef Skillet No. 8
Cast iron, seasoned finish
PFAS Grade90ExcellentOverall Grade86Excellent⏳70Seasoning degradation and rust exposure
Limited concern
Low risk, traditional cast iron with no nonstick coating or chemical surface treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
- 7
Smithey
Ironware No. 11 American Anniversary Skillet
Cast iron, seasoned/bare metal
PFAS Grade90ExcellentOverall Grade82Excellent⏳70Coating degradation over time
Limited concern
⚠️70Iron transfer to food
Limited concern
Low risk, traditional cast iron with no synthetic coatings or treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
- 8
Smithey
Ironware Co Cast Iron Skillet No 12
Cast iron, seasoned with oil
PFAS Grade90ExcellentOverall Grade72Good⛏️70Iron leaching at low pH
Limited concern
⏳70Thermal degradation of seasoning
Limited concern
⚠️45Rust and corrosion if neglected
Moderate concern
Low risk, traditional cast iron with no PFAS-prone coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Every cast iron skillets that passes, side by side
Sorted by score. Higher is safer. Scored against 3 hazards that apply to this category.
| # | Cast Iron Skillets | Score | Rating | Made of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lodge Lodge Cast Iron Classic Cast Iron Skillets | 90 | Excellent | cast iron (bare or seasoned with oil) |
| 2 | Lodge Lodge Cast Iron Skillet Pan 6" | 90 | Excellent | cast iron, seasoned with oil |
| 3 | Le Creuset Le Creuset Traditional Skillet | 90 | Excellent | Enameled cast iron |
| 4 | Field Company Field Co. Cast Iron Skillet No. 8 | 90 | Excellent | cast iron, bare/seasoned surface |
| 5 | Smithey Smithey Ironware Company Cast Iron Skillet No. 12 | 90 | Excellent | Cast iron, pre-seasoned with vegetable oil |
| 6 | Smithey Smithey Cast Iron Chef Skillet No. 8 | 90 | Excellent | Cast iron, seasoned finish |
| 7 | Smithey Smithey Ironware No. 11 American Anniversary Skillet | 90 | Excellent | Cast iron, seasoned/bare metal |
| 8 | Smithey Smithey Ironware Co Cast Iron Skillet No 12 | 90 | Excellent | Cast iron, seasoned with oil |
The cast iron skillets we would skip
Lowest scoring in this category, worst first.
Smithey
Restoration SMITHEY
Carbon steel with unspecified nonstick coating
Teflon-type coating (or unknown Teflon-family coating) fume risk
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microparticle release
Limited concern
Off-gassing of volatile organics during manufacturing or cure
Limited concern
Skip until Smithey discloses coating composition; nonstick coating source unknown.
⚠Nonstick, coating undisclosed
Le Creuset
Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet
cast iron with vitreous enamel coating
Enamel coating degradation and chipping
Limited concern
Iron leaching from exposed cast iron
Limited concern
Thermal shock cracking
Moderate concern
Low risk, enameled cast iron has no inherent reason to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Smithey
12" Cast Iron Skillet
Cast iron with seasoned oil coating
Iron leaching into acidic foods
Limited concern
Bacterial growth in seasoning layer or rust pits
Limited concern
Low risk, traditional cast iron requires no fluorochemical treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
What we check on cast iron skillets
- Heavy metals. Lead, cadmium, arsenic and others that accumulate in the body. FDA
- Lead. A heavy metal with no safe exposure level, especially for children. ATSDR
- Cadmium. A toxic heavy metal found in some glazes, pigments, and batteries. ATSDR
Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.
The cast iron skillets brands that will not say
4 of the brands here publish nothing about PFAS at all. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is why none of them score well on disclosure.
Field Company, Le Creuset, Lodge, Smithey.
Common questions about PFAS-free cast iron skillets
Is cast iron skillets PFAS free?
Mostly not. Of the 15 cast iron skillets we have scored, 20% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, which leaves 12 that pass. The highest scoring is Lodge Lodge Cast Iron Classic Cast Iron Skillets at 90 out of 100. The lowest is Smithey Restoration SMITHEY at 15.
What is the safest cast iron skillets you have scored?
Lodge Lodge Cast Iron Classic Cast Iron Skillets, at 90 out of 100, which we band as Excellent. It is cast iron (bare or seasoned with oil). The runner up is Lodge Lodge Cast Iron Skillet Pan 6" at 90.
Which cast iron skillets should I avoid?
The three lowest scoring we hold are Smithey Restoration SMITHEY at 15, Le Creuset Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet at 65, Smithey Smithey 12" Cast Iron Skillet at 65. The problem with the first is that skip until Smithey discloses coating composition; nonstick coating source unknown.
How can you tell if cast iron skillets contain PFAS?
In this category we check for heavy metals, lead, cadmium. Lead, cadmium, arsenic and others that accumulate in the body. Language like stain resistant, water repellent or easy release usually means fluorinated chemistry even when PFAS is never printed on the box.
Which cast iron skillets brands will not say whether they use PFAS?
4 of the brands we scored in this category publish nothing about PFAS at all, including Field Company, Le Creuset, Lodge, Smithey. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is the reason those brands cannot score well on disclosure.
Do you lab test cast iron skillets?
No. We score from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, disclosures and third party lab results where they exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so.
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Does a particular brand of cast iron skillets have PFAS?
Want to filter the whole category yourself? Browse all 15 cast iron skillets.