Traditional Skillet vs Cast Iron Classic Cast Iron Skillets: which is safer?
Lodge Cast Iron Classic Cast Iron Skillets is the clear pick. Le Creuset Traditional Skillet carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Le Creuset
Traditional Skillet
PFAS grade
Good 65/100
Overall grade
Good 61/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 1
Material
Enameled cast iron
Confidence
92%
PossibleEnamel coating degradation and particle release
Our pick
Lodge
Cast Iron Classic Cast Iron Skillets
PFAS grade
Excellent 75/100
Overall grade
Good 63/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
cast iron (bare or seasoned with oil)
Confidence
95%
PossibleIron leaching into food
PossibleRust formation and corrosion
PossibleThermal shock and cracking
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Enamel coating degradation and particle release on the Le Creuset and not on the Lodge.
- We flag Iron leaching into food, Rust formation and corrosion and Thermal shock and cracking on the Lodge and not on the Le Creuset.
- The Le Creuset is Enameled cast iron where the Lodge is cast iron (bare or seasoned with oil), which is most of the difference in these two grades.
Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More cast iron skillets, see the full ranking