The Best Non-Toxic Small Kitchen Appliances

Reduce the toxic chemicals in your kitchen by using non-toxic small kitchen appliances. Whether you’re blending up a smoothie or toasting a slice of sourdough, you can avoid excess exposure to plastics and PFAS with the use of non-toxic small kitchen appliances.

small kitchen appliances

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Small kitchen appliances can be loaded with toxins like PFAS and plastics. If you’re trying to reduce the number of toxins in your kitchen, have a closer look at all of your small kitchen appliances like your coffee maker, blender, toaster, air fryer and more.

The two biggest toxins that stand out to me are plastic parts and PFAS coatings (used for non-stick surfaces like a waffle maker). It’s hard to avoid any plastic parts on small kitchen appliances, but the main thing I look for is the material used for the food reservoir- I like either glass or stainless steel. If you’re concerned about your family’s exposure to toxic chemicals, it’s important to find appliances that have stainless steel or glass parts that come into contact with the food.

Beyond small kitchen appliances, look for plastic-free food storage containers and PFAS-free cookware and bakeware. There are many non-toxic and plastic-free swaps you can make for a healthier kitchen.

Why You Should Avoid Plastic Food Reservoirs In Small Kitchen Appliances

If food comes into contact with the plastic parts from small kitchen appliances, the plasticizers in the plastic (like Bisphenols and phthalates) can leach into the food, especially if the plastic is heated up, or if the food is high in fat or very acidic.

Bisphenols like BPA and BPS are well known endocrine disrupting chemicals that can alter your body’s natural production of hormones. Bisphenol exposure can lead to adverse health effects like reproductive issues, including early puberty, infertility and cancer, diabetes, obesity and learning difficulties.

Phthalates are a large class of synthetic chemicals that make plastic more flexible and also act as binding agents, among other uses. Phthalates can be in any product made with Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plastic food storage containers, plastic baby bottles and bottle nipples and any appliance made with plastic parts. Chronic exposure to phthalates can cause premature birth, birth defects, including to the male reproductive tract, respiratory problems, behavioral problems in children, male and female infertility, obesity and diabetes, among other health issues

Are Some Types Of Plastic Safer Than Others?

The general rule of thumb is that harder, more rigid plastic is a safer option. That includes high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LFPE) and polypropylene.

Why You Should Avoid PFAS Chemicals in Small Kitchen Appliances

PFAS, short for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, is a class of fluorinated chemicals that have water repellant, nonstick and stain resistant properties. They are a group of more than 5,000 human-made chemicals that contain fluorine bonded to carbon, creating a strong chemical bond that makes them hard to break down. PFAS are also known as the “forever chemical”, since they don’t break down in the environment and can remain in our bodies for many years.

PFAS exposure is associated with increased risk of asthma, immune system dysfunction, decreased vaccine response in children, changes in liver enzymes, increased risk of high blood pressure and pre-ecalmpsia in pregnant women, testicular and kidney cancer, small decreases in infant birth weight and weight gain in adults.

California Proposition 65 Warning Label

You may see the California Proposition 65 warning label on some, if not most, small kitchen appliances. There are currently over 900 chemicals on this list, including some phthalates and formaldehyde. Most electrical cords will prompt this warming, and it is an issue related to the inside of the cord that is not exposed. You can call or email a specific company if you have questions about a Prop 65 warning on their product for peace of mind.

Whether you’re blending up a smoothie or toasting a slice of sourdough, make sure you’re using a non-toxic small kitchen appliance. PFAS chemicals and chemicals that leach from plastic are two of the biggest offenders when it comes to toxic exposure in the kitchen. The products below have no PFAS chemicals and have little to no food contact with the plastic parts.

Blenders

You will often find blenders that market plastic jars or carafes as BPA-free, but there are other concerning chemicals that can be used to replace BPA, like BPS and BPF. To reduce your exposure to hormone disrupting chemicals, avoid blenders with plastic jars and look for borosilicate glass or stainless steel jars. The blenders below all have glass or stainless steel carafes.

Black + Decker Powercrush Blender
Cost: $69
Details: This PowerCrush Blender has a 6-Cup borosilicate glass jar and is quieter for all the performance without the interruption. The 4-tip stainless steel blending blade easily crushes and blends an array of ingredients. With 3 Speeds + Pulse.
Shop: Black + Decker Powercrush Blender

Oster 6-Cup Glass Blender
Cost: $75.49
Details:Thermal shock-resistant, 6-cup Borosilicate glass jar with an extra-large, 6-point stainless steel blade that easily blends, slices, crushes, chops, or grinds ice and tough ingredients. 6 speed settings with Pulse functionality.
Shop: Oster 6-Cup Glass Blender

If you already own a Vitamix blender, swap out the plastic pitcher for a stainless steel one:
Vitamix Stainless Steel Blender Pitcher
Cost: $157
Details:The Stainless Steel Container with hardened stainless steel blades works with all full-size Vitamix blenders. The lid is made of BPA-free Eastman Tritan.
Shop: Vitamix Stainless Steel Blender Pitcher

Luvele Stainless Steel Blender
Cost: $449
Details:This heavy-duty German-made Luvele Vibe Blender System is designed with superior components and technology. It has Medical grade Japanese stainless steel blades, and a food-grade 304 stainless Steel pitcher with a medical grade silicone gasket.
Shop: Luvele Stainless Steel Blender

Food Processors

Like blenders, food processors usually have a plastic reservoir where the food sits. There are a few food processors out there that have glass reservoirs, and I’ve listed some below. Personally, I just use my blender or stand mixer and either of those works fine.

Bear 8-Cup Food Processor
Cost: $29.99
Details: Bear food processors feature two sets of blades and two glass bowls of different sizes, making it a versatile kitchen tool. The 2L bowl is perfect for chopping meat and hard vegetables, while the 0.6L bowl is ideal for preparing ingredients, cheese, nuts, or baby food. It has a 400W motor and sharp stainless steel blades, plus two corrosion-resistant borosilicate glass bowls.
Shop: Bear 8-Cup Food Processor

Koios 8 Cup Food Processor With Stainless Steel & Glass Bowls
Cost: $39.99
Details: Features a 500W powerful pure copper motor and S shaped 2-layer stainless steel blades. This electric food chopper is able to chop, blend, puree, mix and mince throughly and evenly in no time, with each task taking no longer than approximately 10 seconds. Comes with one stainless steel bowl and one borosilicate glass bowl.
Shop: Koios 8 Cup Food Processor With Stainless Steel & Glass Bowls

KitchenAid Stand Mixer
Cost: $459 (often on sale)
Details: Stainless steel blade and 5 quart stainless steel bowl. This is a timeless kitchen appliance- we’ve had one for over 20 years and it’s still going strong.
Shop: KitchenAid Stand Mixer

Immersion Blenders

Look for an immersion blender with a stainless steel blade and wand. Avoid immersion blenders with plastic on the blades or lower wand.

Masterchef Cordless Stainless Steel Immersion Blender
Cost: $45
Details: This 3-in-1 stick blender has attachments for blending, whisking, and frothing. All three attachments are made of professional grade stainless-steel. With variable speed controls to adjust to different foods and purposes easily.
Shop: Masterchef Cordless Stainless Steel Immersion Blender

All-Clad Cordless Stainless Steel Immersion Blender
Cost: $229
Details: A versatile kitchen tool that features a motor with variable speed options for precise control. Cordless for ultimate portability and mixing wherever you go. Stainless steel wand and blade.
Shop: All-Clad Cordless Stainless Steel Immersion Blender

Toasters & Toaster Ovens

It’s frustrating that most toasters and toaster ovens contain parts that are coated with PFAS chemicals. I’ve contacted the companies below and they do not use PFAS coatings on the appliances below.

Our Place Wonder Oven
Cost: $195
Details: A conveniently-sized, countertop-worthy appliance that can air fry, bake, roast, toast, reheat, and broil – all with steam infusion technology for crispy exteriors and soft, moist interiors. Both the inside and outside of the oven are PFAS-free.
Shop: Our Place Wonder Oven

Oster Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Cost: $199.99
Details: This PFAS-free air fryer & toaster oven features 10 versatile cooking functions including Air Fry, Bake, Dehydrate, Toast, Broil, Roast, Keep Warm, Pizza, Turbo Convection and TenderRoast to easily cook your favorite foods. This toaster oven includes 3 rack positions accommodate a wide variety of foods and allow for multilevel cooking. The Oster 10-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven With French Doors is a larger PFAS-free option.
Shop: Oster Air Fryer Toaster Oven

icucina Toaster Oven & Air Fryer
Cost: $90
Details: The exterior is stainless steel and the interior and crumb tray are galvanized steel. The wire rack and air fryer basket are chrome plated stee.. The one thing I would change out is the baking pan (it is aluminum and can easily be swapped for a Teamfar Stainless Steel Toaster Oven Tray.
Shop: icucina Toaster Oven & Air Fryer

Wolf Gourmet 2-Slice Toaster
Cost: $379
Details: Wolf Gourmet is the ultimate in upscale appliances. This extra-wide slot toaster is made with stainless steel and die-cast construction. This toaster is designed to fit a variety of bread types, thicknesses, and shapes. For double the toasting, try the Wolf Gourmet 4-Slice Toaster.
Shop: Wolf Gourmet 2-Slice Toaster

Teamfar Stainless Steel Toaster Oven Tray: The baking tray that comes with your toaster oven may be non-stick. Swap it out for a tray that you know is stainless steel.

Air Fryers & Pressure Cookers

To make an air fryer non-stick, many companies will coat the inside of the appliance with a PFAS coating, which is basically a Teflon or Teflon-like (probably Gen-X) coating on non-stick pans. I found a few brands that don’t contain any PFAS chemicals. I have an Instant Pot with a stainless steel interior pan that can be easily removed and cleaned.

Big Boss Glass Air Fryer
Cost: $83
Details: The Big Boss Oil-Less Air Fryer Circulates super-hot air around food to cook your meals faster thanks to the 1300W powerful built-in fan and 360° air convection system. The 16-quart glass frying bowl easily fits a whole chicken for 3-6 people. With wide temperature range from 180℉ to 400℉, this large air fryer allows you to air fry, bake, grill, roast, toast.
Shop: Big Boss Glass Air Fryer

Instant Pot Air Fryer & Pressure Cooker
Cost: $199
Details: This handy appliance has 13-in-1 functionality, including Air Fryer, Pressure Cooker, Sauté, Slow Cook, Steam, Warm, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate, Yogurt, Sous Vide and Bread Proofing. All of the internal parts are stainless steel, including a stainless steel air fryer cover that protects the unit during pressure cooking.
Shop: Instant Pot Air Fryer & Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Stainless Steel Mesh Steamer Baskets: If you’re unsure of your air fryer basket material, swap it out for this stainless steel set.

Coffee Makers

If you’re willing to go totally manual, you can brew coffee 100% plastic-free. However, I know that mornings can be hectic and the thought of being patient is not everyone’s “cup of tea”. We have a Breville Oracle Touch Espresso Machine that is not 100% plastic-free, but that is the method we prefer to get our morning brew. We don’t leave water sitting in the reservoir and we flush the tubing system several times before using it every day so that water is not touching the plastic parts and tubing for long periods of time. Below you’ll find the best options for plastic-free and mostly plastic-free coffee makers.

Presto Stainless Steel Percolator Coffee Maker
Cost: $81
Details: Stainless steel pot with glass cover. Coffee percolates through the coffee grounds multiple times for a more aromatic, intense coffee. Stainless steel construction, including the perk tube and basket, for easy cleaning.
Shop: Presto Stainless Steel Percolator Coffee Maker

Moccamaster KB Coffee Brewer
Cost: $329
Details: Although this coffee maker is not totally plastic-free, it features a clear glass water transfer tube, a glass carafe, durable metal housings and BPA/BPS/BPF & Phthalate free plastics.
Shop: Moccamaster KB Coffee Brewer

Chemex Glass Pour-Over Coffee Maker
Cost: $41-$50 depending on size
Details: Chemex coffeemakers are made from the same high quality glass used for lab ware.
Shop: Chemex Glass Pour-Over Coffee Maker

Mueller Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker
Cost: $30
Details: Made of double walled 304 18/10 stainless steel. The inner mechanisms and lid are also stainless steel.
Shop: Mueller Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker

Coffee & Spice Grinders

Most of the coffee and spice grinders have plastic receptacles, or the plastic is on the sides of the grinder where the coffee or spices have contact. Both of the grinders below have high-walled stainless steel receptacles. I have the Shardor for grinding my flax seeds and I love that the stainless steel basket detaches so that I can easily clean it.

KitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder
Cost: $30
Details: Removable 4-Oz. Stainless Steel Bowl and Stainless Steel Blade that offers durability and powerful performance, quickly grinding enough whole coffee beans to make up to 12 cups of coffee.
Shop: KitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder

Shardor Coffee & Herb Grinder
Cost: $35
Details: The stainless steel grinding cup is removable and it can grind 2.5oz coffee beans, up to 10 cups of coffee. This adjustable grinder can grind course or fine grounds and also grinds spices. The average noise is 63 dB, which is quieter than other coffee grinders.
Shop: Shardor Coffee & Herb Grinder

Juicers

I had a hard time trying to find a juicer with all stainless steel parts. I originally bought a Herrchef Juicer because of the price, but I saw little plastic pieces in my juice (I didn’t drink it), so I returned it.

Breville Juice Fountain Elite Juicer
Cost: $299
Details: This powerful juicer has a 1000 watt motor that spins up to 13,000 RPM’s to give you up to 30% more juice than traditional juicers. It features a titanium reinforced disc and Italian-made micro mesh filter basket that are made out of stainless steel.
Shop: Breville Juice Fountain Elite Juicer

Electric Kettles

In this case, water is being heated up, which also means any plastic parts will be heated up (and can leach plasticizers) if they are in contact with the hot water. I have the model below and love it! The water is in contact with only stainless steel and glass.

Pohl Schmidt Electric Glass Kettle
Cost: $32
Details: Stainless steel and borosilicate glass electric cordless kettle. Auto shut-off and 1.7 liter capacity.
Shop: Pohl Schmidt Electric Glass Kettle

Waffle Maker, Griddle & Indoor Grill

In this category of small kitchen appliances, you’ll find that a non-stick surface is needed to keep the food from sticking to the cooking surface. Waffle batter can stick to all those indented nooks and crannies if it’s not non-stick. The big problem is that most of the non-stick surfaces contain PFAS chemicals. Don’t trust a company that markets their product as Teflon-free (or PTFE-free), which means they can still be using any other PFAS chemical like Gen-X, which has been linked to adverse health issues in humans. The brand below uses a PFAS-free ceramic coating.

Greenpan Waffle Maker, Griddle & Grill
Cost: $300
Details: The non-stick coating is ceramic-coated aluminum, and it is free from all PFAS chemicals.
Shop: Greenpan Waffle Maker, Griddle & Grill

Popcorn Maker

Avoid plastic popcorn poppers. Some popcorn poppers are coated with non-stick PFAS chemicals. The Whirley Pop below is made of stainless steel.

Whirley Pop Stainless Steel Popcorn Popper
Cost: $50
Details: Features triple ply stainless steel construction with a durable stainless steel lid and gears.Natural Hardwood Handle.
Shop: Whirley Pop Stainless Steel Popcorn Popper

Ice Cream Makers & Yogurt Makers

Avoid ice cream makers and yogurt makers that use plastic bowls. The brands below use either stainless steel or glass receptacles.

Stainless Steel Ice Cream Maker
Cost: $171
Details: This handy appliance works as both a yogurt maker and an ice cream maker, and the inner bowl is stainless steel
Shop: Stainless Steel Ice Cream Maker

Whytner Ice Cream Maker
Cost: $302
Details: Powerful built-in compressor freezer allows for continuous use without the inconvenience of having to pre-freeze the removable stainless steel mixing bowl. BPA-free churn blade included.
Shop: Whytner Ice Cream Maker

Luvele Yogurt Maker
Cost: $108
Details: This yogurt maker has a 2L glass container with an airtight silicone lid. It features a 36 hour digital timer for more flexibility with more types of yogurt recipes, as well as incubation temperature settings of between 78 and 122 degrees F, with 2 degree increments.
Shop: Luvele Yogurt Maker

Dehydrator

Luvele Breeze Food Dehydrator
Cost: $165
Details: This quiet and powerful food dehydrator features 6 stainless steel trays that can be expanded to 9 trays with a biltong hanging rack with 24 stainless steel drying hooks. It has a Digital touch screen control panel, with temperature setting options of between 77 and 167 degrees F and a digital timer control to set a drying period of up to 72 hours.
Shop: Luvele Breeze Food Dehydrator

Baby Food Makers

It’s essential to use non-toxic surfaces when making baby food, storing the baby food and when feeding your baby. Babies are especially vulnerable to toxic chemicals since they’re still growing and developing. Glass or stainless steel are great options for material to use for cooking baby food.

Plodon Mini Glass Baby Food Maker
Cost: $34
Details: Made of borosilicate glass and food grade stainless steel. 1.2 cup capacity, BPA free.
Shop: Plodon Mini Glass Baby Food Maker

Beaba Babycook Neo Glass Baby Food Maker
Cost: $260
Details: Baby food maker with a glass bowl & a stainless steel steam basket! Four cook settings. Patented baby food steamer cooking system that can steam, cook, blend, reheat or defrost, making this an all in one baby food maker.
Shop: Beaba Babycook Neo Glass Baby Food Maker