Lodge Cast Iron · Pizza Stones & Baking Surfaces
Lodge 15 Inch Cast Iron Pizza Pan
Lower concern. Cast iron with oil seasoning, no coating on record.
Material as recorded is cast iron seasoned with oil. No water-repellent finish or synthetic nonstick coating on record. Brand has no PFAS statement on record.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
cast iron, seasoned with oil
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Iron leaching
New or poorly seasoned cast iron can contribute small amounts of iron to acidic foods (tomato sauce, wine), though this is generally considered nutritionally harmless and not a safety concern. Adequate seasoning and proper use minimize this.
Thermal stress fracture
Cast iron can crack if subjected to rapid temperature changes (e.g., cold water on a hot pan). This is a durability issue rather than a chemical safety hazard but can create sharp edges.
What’s reassuring
Bare uncoated material
Recorded as a bare, uncoated material with no surface coating or treatment.
Coating degradation over time
Traditional bare cast iron does not have a coating to degrade or chip as modern enameled or nonstick pans do. The seasoning layer is self-regenerating with use and intentional re-seasoning.
Lead
No documented lead or cadmium contamination in Lodge cast iron products. Raw cast iron ore and manufacturing standards do not introduce these metals in measurable amounts to the final product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Petroleum-derived seasoning residue
Lodge typically seasons with vegetable oil or mineral oil blends that are food-grade and approved for cookware use. No evidence of harmful volatile organic compounds or synthetic additives in the seasoning layer.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Lodge cast iron is raw iron with a factory-applied seasoning layer, typically a thin baked-on oil coating that polymerizes during manufacturing. Unlike modern nonstick cookware with synthetic polymer coatings, cast iron relies on mechanical bonding of oil to prevent rust and sticking. This material is chemically inert at normal cooking temperatures and does not release synthetic compounds into food.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lodge Cast Iron is a long-established US manufacturer (founded 1896) with no documented recalls related to coating degradation, leaching, or toxic residues. The company does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or certifications, which is typical for traditional cast iron makers since the material itself does not use these compounds. No known safety controversies exist in the public record for Lodge cookware.
How it compares in its category
Cast iron pizza pans present lower concern in the bakeware category compared to ceramic-coated steel, enameled cast iron, or nonstick alternatives, which may shed coatings or are linked to PFAS. Lodge's bare seasoned iron avoids the risk of ceramic glaze flaking or polymer degradation over time. The trade-off is higher maintenance (hand-washing, re-seasoning) versus modern convenience cookware.
If you buy it
Hand-wash only and dry immediately to prevent rust; avoid soaking. Maintain seasoning by oiling lightly after each use or periodically re-seasoning in the oven at 450F. Cast iron performs best on stovetop and conventional oven heat; use caution with rapid temperature swings, which can cause warping or cracking. Inspect the seasoning layer annually; if bare iron shows through, strip and re-season to prevent oxidation.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 92% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Lodge Cast Iron has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Pizza Stones & Baking Surfaces
15-Inch Ceramic Pizza Stone for Perfect Crispy Crusts
Ceramic (clay-based baking stone)
Glaze degradation and surface leaching
Limited concern
Thermal stress fracture
High concern
Microporosity and microbial retention
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Deluxe Square Pizza Stone with Rack
ceramic or unglazed stone; no nonstick coating
Ceramic or stone cracking and fragmentation
Limited concern
Porous surface harboring bacterial or mold growth
Limited concern
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
More pizza stones & baking surfaces 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.