The Best Non-Toxic and Safe Kitchen Tools

If you’re selective about where your food comes from and how it is grown, then healthy kitchen utensils and tools should be at the top of your list. A small addition or a simple swap can turn any kitchen into a more earth-friendly, health-conscious food space.

This list includes the best small appliances, cookware, and a few practical gadgets to make meals healthier and easier.

Plastic-Free Cooking Utensils

A good wooden spoon is more like an appendage… just ask any Italian grandmother. When you use wood, there’s no chance of microplastic leaching into your food. And unlike their plastic or metal counterparts, wooden cooking utensils work on all surfaces and are safe with all foods.

Caraway’s utensil set includes one of the best non toxic spatulas we’ve found. The set includes 5 FSC-certified birch wood utensils. These safe kitchen utensils are excellent and extremely long lasting, which makes their rather high price tag completely worth it.

If Caraway isn’t in the budget, try this bamboo spatula from Norpro. It might not have the exact shape you’d get with nylon, but at only $5, it’s hard to complain. Not only is bamboo more sustainable than other hard, durable woods like maple and beech, its antimicrobial properties also help keep it clear of bacteria.

With cast iron pans, you can go with a regular stainless steel spatula because it generally won’t damage the surface.

Plastic-Free Food Storage

Toss those plastic containers once and for all and replace them with safer, waste-free alternatives.

Not only do glass storage containers provide safer storage for all your foods they offer an excellent visual of what is inside.

Glass Ball jars are relatively inexpensive (can be purchased by the dozen), are easy to clean, and can store anything from seeds, flours and nuts to soups, stews, and fresh berries. If you are using glass containers for frozen storage, be sure to leave enough room at the top for any liquids to expand and select those that are freezer safe and have a wide mouth for easy removable when reheating.

You can also save pounds of plastic bags, plastic wrap, and aluminum foil by using organic beeswax wraps to store food safely (and adorably!) These large wraps from Bee’s Wrap are perfect for foods that need to be sealed tightly. Or you can find reusable cloth bowl covers for more permeable storage.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to storing fresh fruits and veggies plastic free.

Safe, Non Toxic Cookware

The days of the covered wagon may be behind us, but the brilliance of cast iron is back in the hands of the today’s home cook. A throw-back, yes, but one that still has a place at the table… or should we say stove? A well-seasoned cast iron pan will last a lifetime and offers a relatively non-stick surface without adding any chemical residue to your food.

Although it is a heavier alternative to stainless steel, the cook surface holds heat brilliantly and the cost is affordable. And cast iron is easier to clean than you might think!

If you prefer non-stick (and we totally get it!) the Always Pan from Our Place is an outstandingly versatile ceramic coated pan that uses a PTFE and PFAS free coating. These beautiful genius pans and baking dishes were designed to replace all of your conventional cookware.

They even include a nested steamer basket and natural spatula. Modular lids on the pots and pans allow for steam release if you want it, or lock it in with an easy twist.

High Speed Blender

One of the most important healthy kitchen essentials is a good blender. We use ours several times a week. High powered blenders are crucial for making fruit smoothies, green smoothies, nut milk, pasta sauces, raw soups, dressings, and even grinding coffee beans.

The Splendor Blender from Our Place takes the pitcher step out of the equation so you have fewer dishes to do! It blends right inside the cup you drink from, and it includes a personal drinking lid. Plus it is the only high powered blender that fits under my upper cabinets. It looks great if you leave it out, and it’s super easy to use.

All of the containers that go with it are made without potentially harmful chemicals like PTFEs, PFOAs, and other PFAS. With a little soap, water, and the press of a button, the Splendor Blender cleans itself.

Unbleached Parchment Paper

Aluminum can be found in many food or kitchen items like foil, canned goods, drink pouches, and tin storage containers. When foods are heated in foil or containers or come into contact with it while hot, studies have shown that aluminum will transfer into the food.

To be safe, keep aluminum foil out of your kitchen and welcome in unbleached parchment paper.

Not only is it compost-friendly, the non-stick surface makes it an excellent sheet pan liner for cooking everything from cookies to roasted vegetables. Fold a large piece in half to make the perfect cooking pouch for fish, chicken, or vegetable or roll it into a cone and use as a pastry bag or a treat holder for kids.

Here are more ideas for safe alternatives to aluminum foil.

More on keeping toxins out of your home:
Homemade Green Cleaners
Borax-Free DIY Dishwasher Detergent
Plastic-Free Food Storage Tips
How to Choose an Organic Mattress