Non-Toxic Kitchen & Cooking Utensils
Ditch your black plastic kitchen utensils and opt for non-toxic cooking utensils. From stainless steel to wood to silicone, create a healthy kitchen environment with non-toxic kitchen utensils.
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When I dipped my toes into the non-toxic living space, I started side-eyeing my plastic kitchen utensils and finally swapped them out for safer alternatives. It was such an easy and budget-friendly swap to make. I recommend that everyone make this simple swap, since using non-toxic kitchen utensils will help to safeguard your health and the health of your family.
According to a 2024 study in Chemosphere, there may be dangerously high levels of harmful flame retardants in black plastic kitchen utensils. Because of errors in the recycling of electronic waste, the plastics used to make the consumer goods like kitchen utensils were tainted with flame retardants.
Why is this so bad?
When exposed to heat, toxic chemicals can leach out of plastic, and if you’re using plastic cooking utensils, chances are there are harmful chemicals leaching into your food as you cook and stir. If you’re using black plastic cooking utensils, it’s entirely possible that flame retardants (including polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs) are leaching into your food.
A nationally representative cohort study used data from 16 years of observation for mortality outcomes and found that participants who had the highest blood levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, were about 300% more likely to die of cancer than those who had the lowest levels.
Microplastics In Kitchen Utensils
Another concern when using plastic kitchen utensils is that they shed microplastics and nanoplastics.
A 2019 study by the University of Newcastle found that people consume about 5 grams of plastic per week, about the same weight as a credit card.
Microplastics have been found on the brain and measured in the blood, breast milk, placenta, and in stools.
While research on microplastics and human health is still emerging, studies suggest that long-term exposure could potentially lead to issues such as heart attack, stroke, gastrointestinal, respiratory, or immune system disturbances.
What Can You Do To Protect Your Health
I recommend tossing out your plastic kitchen utensils and replacing them with a safer alternative like stainless steel, wood or silicone. Luckily you don’t have to spend a fortune to reduce your risk of adverse health effects from the harmful chemicals in plastic. I’ve included many budget-friendly kitchen utensils below.
If you’re a home baker, using non-toxic bakeware is such an important component in creating a healthy home and keeping your family healthy. This goes for non-toxic cookware too!
By replacing your plastic kitchen utensils with stainless steel, wood or silicone, you can reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals, especially flame retardants. I’m sharing my favorite non-toxic kitchen utensils that are perfect for cooking, baking and kitchen prep below.
Stainless Steel Cooking Utensils
When it comes to non-toxic cooking utensils, stainless steel is my first choice. Stainless steel cooking utensils are long-lasting, virtually indestructible, non-leaching and are particularly well-suited for heavy-duty cooking and high-temperature tasks.
Pros of Stainless Steel Kitchen Utensils: Stainless steel kitchen utensils are durable and long-lasting, and they’re easy to clean, dishwasher-safe and resistant to stains and odors. Stainless steel cooking utensils can withstand high temperatures without melting or warping, and the non-porous surface prevents bacteria or food particles from embedding. Most importantly, stainless steel cooking utensils won’t leach harmful chemicals into your food.
Cons of Stainless Steel Kitchen Utensils: Stainless steel cooking utensils can scratch cookware and can be particularly damaging to enameled cookware and cookware with ceramic coatings. Stainless steel utensils are heavier than wooden options, and the handles can get hot if left in a pan, posing a risk of burns. If you’re noise sensitive, stainless steel utensils can create clanking noises when used with metal pots or pans. There is a minimal risk of metal leaching from stainless steel when cooking highly acidic food for prolonged periods of time, and the easiest solution (if cooking highly acidic food for long periods of time) is to rest your stainless steel utensils on a spoon rest while your food is cooking and stir occasionally.
Stainless Steel Cooking Utensil Set
If you don’t want the hassle of buying separate kitchen utensils, this stainless steel set is has everything you need to cook with ease.
9-Piece Stainless Steel Kitchen Utensil Set– Made of food-grade heavy duty 304 stainless steel, forged in 1-piece, sturdy and anti-rust. Very clean lines, good weight and balance, comfortable grip, ergonomic design. Easy To hang.
Stainless steel Measuring Cups & Spoons
Whether you’re baking or cooking, a good set of stainless steel measuring cups and spoons always comes in handy. Toss your plastic set and replace it with a non-toxic stainless steel option.
Hudson Stainless Steel Measuring Cups & Spoons– Made of premium food-grade 18/8 stainless steel that will never rust or corrode. Simply throw them in the dishwasher for quick and easy cleanup.
Stainless Steel Skimmers & Pasta Scoop
Whether you’re frying food or scooping it out of hot water, it’s best to use a stainless steel utensil instead of plastic.
Stainless Steel Skimmer
Stainless Steel Slotted Spoon
Stainless Steel Pasta Ladle
Stainless Steel Spatulas & Turners
I’ve found stainless steel spatulas and turners that flip everything from fish to pancakes to potatoes. I also included a small spatula that’s perfect for dishing brownies out of the pan (I have one and use it all the time).
Stainless Steel Fish Spatula
Stainless Steel Spatula Turner
Stainless Steel Slotted Spatula Turner
Stainless Steel Brownie Spatula
Stainless Steel Cooking Spoons & Ladle
I literally use stainless steel cooking spoons for all of my cooking, sauteing and mixing. I use the Our Place Titanium Always Pan Pro, which is a non-stick titanium pan that can handle stainless steel utensils. With an Italian in our household (my husband), this stainless steel ladle gets used on the daily.
Stainless Steel Tongs & Carving Fork
A kitchen staple, stainless steel tongs are a workhorse for flipping meat, wrangling pasta dishes and grabbing and gripping food. A stainless steel carving fork is also a key kitchen accessory.
Babish Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs
Stainless Steel Carving Fork
Stainless Steel Pizza Wheel, Pie Server, Ice Cream Scoop & Salad Servers
Whether you’re cutting into a piping hot pizza, serving a perfectly baked pie, scooping ice cream or doling out salad, stainless steel servers are the best option to keep your family health. Some pizza wheels, pie servers and ice cream scoops have a PFAS coating to keep cheese from sticking, but you don’t want a serving of forever chemicals with your pie. Although plastic salad servers are common, choose stainless steel to keep microplastics out of your salad.
Stainless Steel Pizza Wheel
Stainless Steel Pie Server
Stainless Steel Ice Cream Scoop
Stainless Steel Salad Servers
Stainless Steel Whisks
Whether you’re whisking eggs, emulsifying a vinaigrette, or whipping cream, a stainless steel whisk is a long-lasting kitchen essential that can go right in the dishwasher.
Stainless Steel Colanders, Strainers & Sifters
Unlike plastic colanders, stainless steel strainers can handle hot liquids without warping or releasing toxic chemicals, making them ideal for straining pasta, blanching vegetables, or other high-temperature tasks.
LiveFresh Stainless Steel Colander– This colander is made with 304 stainless steel and has drain ports in the base (which is key with this type of colander).
Stainless Steel Sifter/Strainer– A fine mesh strainer for baking, washing fruit and more.
Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Tea Strainer– 18/8 stainless steel, perfect for loose leaf tea.
Stainless Steel Box Grater & Zester
Martha Stewart Stainless Steel Box Grater– This box grater gets excellent ratings for durability. It does come with a polypropylene pad for the bottom, and I would toss this out- no need to use it!
Stainless Steel Microplane Zester– Perfect for zesting lemons, limes, nutmeg and other flavor enhancers!
Stainless Steel Vegetable Peelers & Steamer
Keep your food prep plastic-free with stainless steel veggie peelers and steamers.
Material The Forever Vegetable Peeler
Stainless Steel Vegetable Peeler
Stainless Steel Vegetable Steamer
Stainless Steel Kitchen Shears & Nut/Lobster Crackers
Using non-toxic stainless steel kitchen tools and gadgets for food prep is a smart way to keep your kitchen healthy.
Mitsumoto Stainless Steel Kitchen Shears
Hiware Lobster & Nut Crackers
Stainless Steel Kitchen Mashers
Choose stainless steel for these kitchen workhorses for mashing, blending, cutting and more.
Stainless Steel Kitchen Mashers
Stainless Steel Dough Blender
Stainless Steel Splatter Guards
Choosing stainless steel kitchen utensils and gadgets is a smart way to reduce plastic use in the kitchen.
Wood Kitchen Utensils
Wooden kitchen utensils are generally considered non-toxic and safe for cooking, provided they are made from untreated, food-safe wood and maintained properly.
If the utensils have an undisclosed lacquer coating applied or if there is a toxic conditioning agent used on the wood, then that would be considered unsafe to use as a cooking tool. Purchase wooden kitchen utensils from a reputable source, like the ones listed below.
Pros of wood cooking utensils: Wooden cooking utensils look stylish in your kitchen and are free of chemicals that can leach from plastic utensils (as long as they are not coated with toxic chemicals). Wood utensils do not react with acidic foods, maintaining flavor integrity, and wood utensils do not conduct heat, making them safe to use when cooking at high temperatures. Wooden kitchen utensils are eco-friendly and biodegradable, and they won’t scratch non-stick, stainless steel, or cast-iron cookware.
Cons of wood cooking utensils: The wood can get moldy if not taken care of properly. You can’t put wood utensils in the dishwasher. Some coatings applied to wood utensils can be toxic. Wooden utensils can also crack or break. Since wood is porous, it can absorb strong odors, stains, and flavors from foods like garlic, turmeric, or tomato sauce. Poor-quality wooden utensils may splinter, posing a safety risk.
Oak & Oven Non-Toxic Wooden Utensil Set
7 Piece Wooden Utensil Set– meticulously crafted from teak wood and delicately finished with organic olive oil.
Quince Wooden Utensil Set
Quince Italian Olivewood Kitchen Utensil Set– Crafted from 100% Italian Olivewood, pre-oiled with food-safe mineral oil.
Caraway Wooden Utensil & Knife Set
Caraway Kitchen Knife & Wooden Utensil Set– This kitchen prep set features FSC-certified birch wood, German stainless steel blades, and BPA-free handles—making this an optimal set of non-toxic & eco-friendly kitchen essentials. Featuring 4 knives, 5 utensils, shears, and a first-of-its kind modular organization unit.
Silicone Kitchen Utensils
If you have ceramic coated cookware or enameled cookware, silicone kitchen utensils will not damage your pots, pans and bakeware. I personally prefer wood to silicone for safety, since silicone should not be heated past 428°F. It’s easier than you think to get a pan that hot. I use silicone spatulas to scrape batter out of a bowl and for other baking needs that don’t require high heat. Beware that some companies stuff their silicone with fillers, and lead and cadmium have been detected in some silicone kitchen products.
Always look for food grade silicone if you are using it for cooking and eating. Silicone is easy to clean, mostly durable, and can be a fun and stylish addition to your kitchen decor. Here’s an overview of the pros and cons:
Pros of Silicone Kitchen Utensils: Silicone utensils are soft and flexible, making them safe for non-stick, ceramic, or enameled cookware. Silicone utensils are lightweight and flexible, so they are easy to handle and maneuver, making them ideal for tasks like scraping, stirring, and flipping. Silicone utensils are typically dishwasher-safe and since food doesn’t generally stick, they clean up easily. They are available in many shapes, colors, and designs, offering versatility and aesthetic appeal. High-quality, food-grade silicone is free from BPA, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals.
Cons of Silicone Kitchen Utensils: Silicone utensils may lack the firmness needed for tasks like lifting heavy foods or scraping stubborn residues. Poor-quality silicone can crack, discolor, or release harmful substances at high temperatures. While durable, silicone can wear out faster than stainless steel or wooden utensils when used intensively. Although non-porous, silicone can sometimes absorb strong smells over time, especially with prolonged exposure to foods like garlic or spices.
Silicone Cooking Utensil Set
Cook With Color Silicone Cooking Utensils– Made with premium food grade silicone.
Silicone & Stainless Steel Spatula Set
Tovolo 5-Piece Silicone Spatula Set– made of food safe silicone.
High Heat Silicone Spatula Set
UpGood Silicone Spatula Set– this set is good up to 600°F. I have the thin scraper silicone spatula and use it to help release baked goods from Caraway Bakeware.
Our Place Silicone Kitchen Utensil Set
Our Place Silicone Kitchen Utensil Set– This dishwasher-safe silicone is a breeze to clean and maintain. Flip, stir, whisk, baste, lift, scrape, and spread with ease!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Different Types Of Stainless Steel?
18/8 stainless steel is composed of 18% chromium and 8% nickel. It’s durable, corrosion resistant, and rust resistant. 304 stainless steel is the most popular grade of 18/8, and will often have other inclusions, such as iron, carbon, silicon, and manganese. 304 stainless steel is well regarded for its corrosion resistance, high tensile strength, and its ability to be welded, molded, and formed. 18/10 stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 10% nickel. While 18/8 steel is resistant to rust, the higher nickel content of 18/10 steel makes it virtually corrosion-proof and more resistant to bending. 18/0 has no nickel in it, but it does have the same amount of chromium as the other two grades. The exclusion of nickel means it’s not as resistant to corrosion and oxidation.
What Are Some Tips for Using Silicone Kitchen Utensils?
- Check Quality: Look for FDA-approved, food-grade silicone that can withstand high heat.
- Avoid Sharp Tools: Silicone can be damaged by knives or sharp edges, so avoid cutting directly on silicone surfaces.
- Clean Properly: Wash immediately after use with strong-smelling or staining foods to prevent odors or discoloration.
More Non-Toxic Kitchen Inspiration
