If you’re selective about where your food comes from and how it is grown, then healthy kitchen essentials 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.
Our top kitchen tools list includes the best small appliances, cookware, and a few practical gadgets to make meals healthier and easier.
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.This beautiful, genius pan was designed to do the work of 8 pieces of traditional cookware. It even includes a nested steamer basket and natural spatula. It’s also dishwasher safe – which is great because you’ll use it every day.
Another safe alternative to teflon is ceramic cookware from Xtrema. These 100% ceramic pans, pots, and bakeware are free from toxins. They’re also versatile enough to be used on the stovetop, in any type of oven, or in the fridge to store leftovers. Plus they’re dishwasher-safe.
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 (source). 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.
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.
Many powerful blenders like Vitamix and Blendtec are pricey, but they’re worth it. The Brandless Blender (at just $149) is newer to the scene but so far we’ve found it to be just as powerful as the expensive ones.
PLASTIC-FREE COOKING UTENSILS
A good wooden spoon is more like an appendage… just ask any Italian grandmother. Unlike their plastic or metal counterparts, wooden cooking utensils work on all surfaces, are safe with all foods, and have been known to last more than most marriages.
Stick with bamboo for the most eco-friendly of the bunch. Not only is bamboo more sustainable than other hard, durable woods like maple and beech, but its antimicrobial properties also help keep it clear of bacteria.
FAQs
As a safe alternative, stainless steel, ceramic, glass, and cast-iron pots and pans are the go-to materials to avoid risky ingredients seeping into your food.
What are the most healthy cooking utensils? ›
STAINLESS STEEL KITCHEN UTENSILS
When considering non-toxic metal utensils and food preparation tools, stainless steel is your best option. Resistant to rust and non-reactive makes stainless steel safe in high heat and hot water, a great material for kitchen utensils.
What is the healthiest cookware to use? ›
“If you are able to use or purchase glass or Pyrex, stainless steel pots and pans, they are healthier choices for long-term/lifetime use,” Jim Perko, Executive Chef in the Center for Integrative & Lifestyle Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, told Health. This comes down to how cookware is coated.
What kitchen tool is the most useful? ›
13 Best Kitchen Tools to Have In Your Kitchen
- Hand Blenders. ...
- Kitchen Tongs. ...
- Measuring Cups & Spoons. ...
- Wooden Spoons. ...
- All In One Pan. ...
- Mesh Strainers. ...
- Double Sided Peeler. ...
- Magnetic measuring spoons.
If you're concerned about PFAS in your nonstick cookware, one option is to shop for pans that are ceramic and indicate that they are free of PTFE, PFOA, and PFAS. Stainless steel cookware that is not nonstick can also be an option.
Are bamboo utensils better than silicone? ›
Deciding which is better on our bamboo vs silicone utensils argument actually depends on where you plan to use it. If you want to reduce your plastic waste, bamboo utensils are excellent alternatives. However, if you want a cheaper option, you can always resort to the traditional silicone option.
What is the safest utensil material? ›
Stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion and acid, making it one of the most well-deserved popular cookware. Takeaway: Metal-based cookware tends to react with acids. Iron is a reasonably safe metal, even if it gets leached out.
What type of utensils do professional chefs use? ›
First, professional chefs are notoriously hard on their pans, given the volume of work they do and the speed in which they do so. Second, most professional chefs also use metal utensils — spatulas, spoons, and tongs in particular. These metal tools are nonstick cookware's kryptonite.
Why do we no longer recommend GreenPan? ›
Silane is a colorless, flammable gas that is toxic to breathe in and known for irritating the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Aluminum oxide exposure can lead to lung damage. Other potentially toxic compounds found in GreenPan pans include Tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and Potassium titanate.
Is HexClad really that good? ›
HexClad is worth it for the home cook who is ready to invest in high-quality cookware. The price is comparable to other high-end cookware brands, but it combines the best features of stainless steel and nonstick cookware for even more durability.
Cuisinart 10-Piece Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Customers love the fact that these pots and pans contain no harmful chemicals, are oven-safe up to 500° Fahrenheit, and are also easy to clean and dishwasher-safe.
What kitchen tool should you replace every year? ›
Cutting Boards
Yes, I know, you love that beautiful wooden butcher block. But whether they are plastic or wooden, cutting boards should be on your annual replacement list. Although soap helps disinfect boards, sharp knives create deep grooves and gauges in the boards, which can harbor bacteria.
How do I choose kitchen tools? ›
Take Into Account the Dimensions of the Equipment
While it's advisable to choose kitchen equipment according to your cooking needs, never select a supplier who doesn't have options that can fit your space. Kitchen supplies such as blenders and toasters may fit perfectly in any kitchen space.
What kitchen equipment should one use to level ingredients? ›
Step 3: When the flour is piled high in the cup, level it off with a spatula or straight-edged knife. Using a dry measuring cup instead of a liquid measuring cup allows you to level the top and get the right amount of ingredient into your recipe. Remember: Pile, then level.
Is any cookware non-toxic? ›
Non-toxic cookware is any cookware made without the use of nonstick coatings, like PFAS. This means any cookware that is made of stainless steel, cast iron, or carbon steel—essentially any cookware that doesn't have a coating—are the least toxic products available on the market.
Is Caraway really non-toxic? ›
Caraway's ceramic-coating is 100% non-toxic, free of PTFE (such as Teflon®), PFOA, PFAs, lead, cadmium, nickel and other toxic metals. Non-toxic coating means you are at zero risk of ingesting harsh chemicals of any kind, meaning safer cookware for you, your family, and our planet.
Which metal is not safe for cooking? ›
03/7Aluminium
However, when heated up, aluminium can react with acidic foods like tomatoes and vinegar. This reaction can make the food toxic and might also lead to stomach troubles and nausea. Also, it is a heavy metal that gradually leaches into your food.
