Our Place Carbon Steel Wok, Is It Non-Toxic?
Brand PFAS statement on record, which we have not verified.
Our Place says its ceramic non-stick coating is made without PFAS, including Teflon-type coating and PFOA. We record that as an unverified brand claim.
Brand says: “Our Place says its ceramic non-stick coating is made without PFAS, including PTFE and PFOA.”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
carbon steel (bare metal, no coating)
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
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Is Our Place Carbon Steel Wok non-toxic? What it is made of
This wok is bare carbon steel, a iron-carbon alloy with no applied coating, enamel, ceramic, or non-stick surface. Carbon steel cookware does not leach lead, cadmium, or Teflon-type coating (Teflon) because there is no glaze, enamel, or synthetic polymer layer to degrade or break down. The material itself is chemically stable at typical cooking temperatures. Over time, bare carbon steel develops a natural seasoning layer through oil polymerization, which protects the underlying metal and improves non-stick properties.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Iron leaching from bare metal surface
Bare carbon steel can leach small amounts of iron into acidic foods (tomato sauce, citrus, wine) if the seasoning layer is thin or absent. This is not a toxic hazard for most people; iron is an essential nutrient. Risk is higher when the wok is new and unseasoned.
Rust formation from improper storage or care
Without consistent seasoning and proper drying, bare carbon steel will oxidize and form rust. While rust itself is not acutely toxic in trace amounts, it degrades the cookware's function and appearance. This is a maintenance issue rather than a chemical safety hazard.
What’s reassuring
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states this product is PFAS-free. We have not verified the claim.
Bare uncoated material
Recorded as a bare, uncoated material with no surface coating or treatment.
Lead
This product has no applied coating, enamel, or ceramic glaze, so there is no risk of lead or cadmium leaching from decorative surfaces.
Source, ATSDR ↗Teflon-type coating/Teflon fume release
Bare carbon steel has no synthetic non-stick polymer layer and does not emit Teflon-type coating fumes at any temperature.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Our Place is known for marketing durable, chemical-conscious cookware and has made a public PFAS-free claim for this product line. No recalls, health warnings, or safety controversies specific to this wok are on record. The brand's transparency stance appears consistent with consumer pressure for cookware with lower concern about certain chemical coatings, though our assessment is limited to publicly available information and the claim has not been independently verified by us.
How it compares in its category
Bare carbon steel woks avoid hazards present in many coated alternatives, glazed ceramic woks may contain lead in decorative glazes; non-stick (Teflon-type coating) woks risk fume release if overheated; enameled cast iron woks can chip and expose underlying metal. Carbon steel sits in the lower concern end of the cookware spectrum because the material is not a type historically linked to PFAS coatings. The trade-off is that bare carbon steel requires active seasoning maintenance, which many modern cookware users find less convenient than pre-seasoned or non-stick alternatives.
If you buy it
Season the wok before first use and periodically re-season after washing to maintain the protective oil layer and prevent surface rust. Avoid prolonged soaking or dishwasher washing, which can strip seasoning. Carbon steel can withstand high heat (well above typical stovetop temperatures) without degradation. Hand wash with hot water and minimal soap, dry immediately, and store in a dry place. If rust spots appear, scrub lightly and re-season.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 85% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Our Place has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More woks 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.