Smithey Ironware No. 11 American Anniversary Skillet, Is It Non-Toxic?
Low risk, traditional cast iron with no synthetic coatings or treatments.
Smithey's No. 11 American Anniversary Skillet is bare cast iron with seasoned surface, containing no Teflon-type coating, Teflon-family coating, or synthetic nonstick coatings. Cast iron requires no PFAS-based water or stain resistance treatments.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Cast iron, seasoned/bare metal
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Is Smithey Ironware No. 11 American Skillet non-toxic? What it is made of
The Smithey No. 11 is solid cast iron with a factory-applied seasoning layer (oil-based polymer buildup, not Teflon-type coating or ceramic enamel). Cast iron itself is chemically inert at typical cooking temperatures and does not leach toxic substances into food. The seasoning is a food-safe carbonized oil coating that prevents rust and creates a non-stick surface without synthetic chemicals. This material class has been in continuous use for over 150 years with no established health issues tied to the iron or traditional seasoning alone.
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.
Coating degradation over time
The seasoning layer is a soft carbon polymer that can wear away with heavy use, washing, or acidic food. As seasoning degrades, iron oxide (rust) may form, which can impart a metallic taste but is not a health hazard. Re-seasoning restores the protective layer.
Iron transfer to food
Poorly seasoned cast iron or acidic cooking (tomato sauce) may increase trace iron transfer to food. For most people this is nutritionally neutral or beneficial; those with hemochromatosis should avoid prolonged acidic cooking in cast iron.
What’s reassuring
Bare uncoated material
Recorded as a bare, uncoated material with no surface coating or treatment.
Seasoning oil composition
Smithey does not publicly specify which food-grade oil is used for factory seasoning. Standard practice uses mineral oil or vegetable oil, but composition is not disclosed on this product. No health issues have been reported for any major cast iron brand's seasoning layer.
Lead
Cast iron sourced and smelted in the US is subject to EPA metal standards. Smithey does not disclose smelting location or testing, but no recalls for heavy metal contamination exist for modern US-made cast iron skillets. Iron itself is an essential nutrient and non-toxic in the iron matrix.
Source, ATSDR ↗Thermal stress and cracking
Cast iron is brittle and can crack if rapidly cooled (e.g., hot pan into cold water). This is a durability issue, not a chemical safety issue, but sharp edges from cracks can pose a cutting risk. Smithey's No. 11 is designed for longevity and normal thermal cycling poses minimal risk.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Smithey Ironware is a US-based artisanal manufacturer focused on traditional cast iron production. The company does not publicly disclose detailed material testing or certifications beyond standard FDA food-contact compliance for the seasoning oil. No recalls, safety warnings, or public controversies regarding this specific product line are on record. The brand's silence on PFAS is consistent with the fact that traditional cast iron production has no routine PFAS inputs, though this is not formally stated in their marketing materials.
How it compares in its category
Bare cast iron skillets like this avoid the chemical risks of enameled cast iron (potential lead or cadmium in older enamels, though rare in modern US production) and non-stick coatings (Teflon-type coating degradation, forever chemicals). Compared to modern ceramic-coated or hard-anodized aluminum skillets, cast iron eliminates concerns about coating flaking, aluminum leaching under acidic conditions, and synthetic polymer breakdown. The tradeoff is higher maintenance (seasoning upkeep, rust prevention, weight) versus convenience.
If you buy it
Cast iron shows no hazard of this kind on record at normal stovetop and oven temperatures (up to 500F+), but the seasoning can smoke if neglected on high heat. Avoid prolonged contact with acidic foods (tomatoes, vinegar) on poorly seasoned pans, as acidity can degrade the oil layer and slightly increase iron transfer, though this is not a toxicity concern. Maintain seasoning by oiling and wiping after each wash; the pan becomes more effective with use. Replace only if the cooking surface develops deep rust pitting that cannot be re-seasoned, which takes decades with normal care.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 92% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Smithey has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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.