9 Chef-Really helpful Non-Poisonous Kitchen Instruments Below $25

It’s exhausting to flee the information about microplastics in meals, water, and kitchen utensils, whether or not an outdated plastic chopping board, black plastic kitchen utensil, or scratched Teflon cookware. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to reduce your publicity by making certain that you simply’re cooking with non-toxic kitchen utensils and cookware. From glass to bamboo and forged iron, you don’t should spend massive to spend money on non-toxic kitchen instruments that may final.

I requested three skilled cooks for his or her favourite non-toxic kitchen merchandise, and so they beneficial some extraordinarily inexpensive swaps for meals storage, cooking, and cleanup, together with a silicone spatula and biodegradable sponges. If you happen to’re able to spend money on non-toxic kitchen instruments, these 9 chef-recommended options begin at simply $7, and so they’re all accessible on Amazon.

• Airnex Biodegradable Pure Kitchen Sponge, 10-Pack, $15, initially $16
• Hiware Additional Massive Bamboo Reducing Board, $15, initially $18
• Amazon Fundamentals Glass Meals Storage Containers, $25
• Lodge 10.25-Inch Forged Iron Skillet, $20
• OXO Good Grips Massive Silicone Versatile Turner, $14
• GIR Premium Silicone Spatula, $15
• Farberware Additional-Massive Wooden Reducing Board, $25, initially $27
• OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Metal Locking Tongs, $16
• KitchenAid Bamboo Basting Spoon, $7

Airnex Biodegradable Pure Kitchen Sponge, 10-Pack

If you wish to keep away from plastic, these sponges, made with pure fibers, are long-lasting and delicate sufficient for cleansing your nonstick cookware. “These sponges usually are not solely non-toxic and plastic-free, however they’re additionally absolutely biodegradable and compostable, making them a sensible and sustainable different to conventional sponges that shed microplastics,” says Miguel Guerra, chef and proprietor at MITA. “They maintain up surprisingly properly with every day use, don’t develop odor shortly, and work nice for all the things from scrubbing pans to wiping down counters.” And the 10-pack begins at simply $13 on Amazon.

Hiware Additional Massive Bamboo Reducing Board

With the information that plastic chopping boards could launch microplastics into meals, picket chopping boards provide a non-toxic different that received’t break the financial institution. “An incredible choice beneath $25 is a bamboo chopping board with juice grooves,” says Shawna Clark, founder and chef at Wholesome Foodie Lady. “I like that it’s sturdy, naturally antibacterial, and doesn’t slide round whereas chopping.” This chopping board from Hiware is constituted of 100% bamboo and is available in 5 sizes, so you’ll be able to select the most suitable choice on your house or construct your personal set. Simply be sure to’re utilizing correct picket chopping board upkeep to make it final so long as doable.

Amazon Fundamentals Glass Meals Storage Containers

If you happen to’re utilizing flimsy, scratched, and pasta-sauce-stained plastic containers, it’s time to improve to a glass set. Not solely are glass meals storage containers non-toxic, however they’re additionally sturdy, simple to scrub, and long-lasting. “I’ve additionally been utilizing glass meals storage containers for years,” Clark says. “They’re non-toxic, don’t stain or maintain onto odors, and I like that many are secure for the oven and microwave. They’ve held up superbly and make meal prep and storage really feel cleaner, easier, and safer.” 

This $25 Amazon Fundamentals set consists of seven nesting rectangular and round containers, all with safe lids. They’re secure for the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher, whether or not you’re meal prepping or storing takeout leftovers.

Lodge 10.25 Inch Forged Iron Skillet

Whereas nonstick pans make cooking simple, some can chip or scratch simply, which may expose you to poisonous chemical substances. Whereas you may also spend money on Teflon-free nonstick cookware, Megan Keno, superstar chef, participant in Fox’s Subsequent Degree Chef Season 4, and founding father of the meals weblog Selfmade Dwelling, recommends an excellent, old school Lodge forged iron skillet. “Not solely are these single steel pans, and made within the USA, they’re uncoated, assuaging considerations about coatings that may chip or put on down with time,” Keno says. At simply $20, this 10.25-inch skillet is properly well worth the funding for years of non-toxic cooking. 

OXO Good Grips Massive Silicone Versatile Turner

Silicone kitchen instruments are a safer different to common outdated plastic ones, whereas nonetheless being mild sufficient to make use of on nonstick cookware, in contrast to steel utensils. OXO’s Good Grips Silicone Turner is additional sturdy, because of its stainless-steel deal with. “I exploit this for turning roasted veggies, lifting delicate fish, or for skillet stovetop cooking,” Keno says. “It’s agency but versatile, and the heat-resistant silicone means nothing will get left behind on the pan with its wonderful flexibility to get into corners or edges.” 

GIR Premium Silicone Spatula

Whereas we don’t want knowledgeable chef to inform us to throw out our black plastic kitchen utensils, Keno recommends this sturdy GIR silicone spatula as an inexpensive swap. “With it being made out of silicone, it may be utilized in tons of cooking purposes with out worry of leaching poisonous issues into your meals,” she says. “Plus, it’s dishwasher secure. Win for the busy cooks on the market.” The warmth-resistant silicone is secure to make use of at as much as 550°F, whether or not stir-frying or mixing batter. You can too pop it within the dishwasher for straightforward cleanup.

Farberware Additional-Massive Wooden Reducing Board

Wood chopping boards aren’t simply nice for on a regular basis use — they’re additionally a practical internet hosting device, whether or not assembling a cheese board or crudites. “If you wish to avoid plastics, a bamboo chopping board is a greener and non-toxic choice,” Keno says. “It’s extremely sustainable, using quick-growing bamboo, and nice for kitchen work or entertaining.” This chopping board provides two sides and loads of room for chopping or serving.

OXO Good Grips 12 Inch Metal Locking Tongs

When you’ve got plastic tongs in your kitchen, Keno recommends swapping them for her go-to stainless-steel tongs from OXO. “No black nylon tongs right here!” Keno says. “These stainless-steel tongs are simple to maneuver and use, have a strong grip on your fingers, and equally strong grip on your meals with out being tough.” The tongs are available in a number of sizes, from 7 to 16 inches lengthy, and also you don’t have to fret about them melting or leaching microplastics into your meals.

KitchenAid Bamboo Basting Spoon

If you’d like much less poisonous kitchen instruments in your kitchen, begin with the utensils you utilize probably the most, like spoons. “I additionally recommend including wooden cooking utensils like spoons and spatulas,” Clark says. “They’re good for each nonstick pans and common cookware.” This picket spoon from KitchenAid is constituted of bamboo, so it’s sturdy, eco-friendly, and received’t scratch your cookware. Plus, at simply $7, it’s one of the inexpensive non-toxic kitchen device swaps you can also make.