Avoid Microplastics With These 10 Kitchen Essentials

After reading recent reports of the health risks associated with using plastic cutting boards and Teflon-coated cookware, I decided to replace all of my toxic kitchen tools with non-toxic alternatives, like wooden cutting boards and cast iron skillets. If you’re currently taking stock of the questionable tools in your kitchen, it may feel daunting. Here are the 10 favorites I rely on to keep microplastics and chemicals out of my cooking, including a versatile wooden spatula, Pyrex glass food storage containers, a Lodge cast iron skillet, and more.

Writer-Loved Non-Toxic Kitchen Essentials

• Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet, $26, originally $30
• Tramontina Seattle Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 12-Inch Frying Pan, $35, originally $70
• Earlywood 10-Inch Multi-Purpose Wood Scraper and Spatula, $20
• WoodenHouse 8-Piece Wooden Utensil Set With Holder and Spoon Rest, $35, originally $40
• Freshware Bamboo Cutting Boards, Set of 3, $14
• Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting Board, $30, originally $34
• Pyrex Simply Store Glass Food Storage Containers Set, 7-Pack, $30, originally $33
• ChefAide Silicone Spatula Set, Set of 5, $9, originally $10
• Nkove Stainless Steel Universal Tea Infuser, $6, originally $7
• OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Tongs With Silicone Heads, $17

Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

This Lodge cast iron skillet has been by my side for years. I use it every day to fry eggs, make stir-fry dinners, and brown paninis. Thanks to its built-up seasoning, it’s practically nonstick. I haven’t missed my nonstick pans at all since replacing them with this sturdy skillet. I especially like that I can bake fluffy cornbread right in the pan.

Tramontina Seattle Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 12-Inch Frying Pan

My other go-to piece of non-toxic cookware would be my stainless steel pan. It’s great for sautéing vegetables, searing a cauliflower steak, or making French omelets. This Tramontina skillet happens to be one of our tested favorites, too. It heats evenly, is comfortable to hold, and is a whopping 50% off right now.

Earlywood 10-Inch Multi-Purpose Wood Scraper and Spatula

I don’t think I use any kitchen utensil more than this Earlywood scraper. It’s a long, flat spatula that excels at stirring, flipping, scraping, tossing — you name it. It can deftly lift a pancake and slice decisively through brownies. The non-toxic wood is also sturdy; it hasn’t chipped once, no matter how often I use it to scrape at burnt-on food at the bottom of my cast iron skillet.

WoodenHouse 8-Piece Wooden Utensil Set With Holder and Spoon Rest

For all my other scooping and stirring needs, I turn to this WoodenHouse wooden utensil set. It has all the spoons I need, including a deep-bowled ladle for soup and a skimmer for grabbing pierogies. The set also comes with two spatulas, a forked spoon, a serving spoon, a utensil holder, a spoon rest, and six metal hooks.

Freshware Bamboo Cutting Boards, Set of 3

Aside from being non-toxic alternatives to plastic cutting boards, wooden cutting boards are also gentler on kitchen knives. I have a set of bamboo cutting boards in various sizes that I use to speed through chopping tasks. At $14 for three boards, this Freshware set is a steal. They’re also sturdy and clean up easily with soap and warm water.

Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting Board

Since I like to keep a separate cutting board for onions (oniony strawberries? No, thank you!) I turn to this Epicurean cutting board for all my savory food prep, like mincing garlic or dicing chives. I like that the non-toxic material — comprised of paper pulp — is durable and dishwasher-safe, so I can ensure allium scents are washed away with each cleaning cycle.

Pyrex Simply Store Glass Food Storage Containers Set, 7-Pack

I cleared out all my black plastic takeout containers when I heard that the material contains potentially harmful chemicals. I use my countertop microwave often, and since black plastic serveware poses the most health risks under high heat, I replaced them with these Pyrex glass containers that are durable and non-toxic. The heat-safe glass stands up to the dishwasher, too.

ChefAide Silicone Spatula Set, Set of 5

As an avid baker, it was sad to say goodbye to my collection of plastic spatulas, but I now love working with silicone spatulas. This similar set from ChefAide comes with five spatulas of various shapes and sizes to use with different doughs, batters, and mixes. Their heads are sturdy yet flexible, ideal for all your stirring and scraping needs. They’re also heat-safe up to 600°F, and silicone is safe to use with nonstick ceramic cookware.

Nkove Stainless Steel Universal Tea Infuser

I have a cup of tea every day and haven’t used teabags for years, ever since finding out that microplastics may be leaching from store-bought tea bags. Instead, I order loose-leaf tea in bulk and use a stainless steel metal tea infuser. Like this one, it fits in all of my favorite mugs, is easy to clean, and excels at steeping teas.

OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Tongs With Silicone Heads

I use kitchen tongs every day, be it to flip tortillas or serve spaghetti. I ditched my tongs with a black plastic head years ago in favor of this OXO Good Grips one with silicone tips. The scalloped edges are extra grippy, and I love not having to worry about using it in high-heat cooking situations.