10 Items to Skip During Memorial Day Sales — and What to Buy Instead

With Memorial Day sales abound, it can be difficult to tell what’s worth your money. What makes one cutting board better than another one? Which cookware upgrades should you grab? We sorted through pages of products to identify the deals worth grabbing during Memorial Day weekend, with up to 43% off kitchen essentials like this shopper-loved OXO ceramic nonstick pan, a non-toxic wooden cutting board set, and a durable Rubbermaid Brilliance food storage container set.  

The Best Memorial Day Sale Kitchen Finds

• Royal Craft Wooden Cutting Boards, Set of 3, $43, originally $50 at amazon.com
• Woodenhouse Wooden Utensil Set with Holder, $35, originally $55 at amazon.com
• OXO Enhanced 12-Inch Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan, $50, originally $70 at amazon.com
• Rubbermaid Brilliance 3.2-Cup Glass Food Storage Containers, Set of 4, $38, originally $43 at amazon.com
• Yeti Rambler 20-Ounce Travel Mug, $30, originally $38 at yeti.com
• Henckels Dynamic Razor-Sharp 7-Piece Knife Set, $80, originally $140 at amazon.com
• Instant Pot Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven, $230, originally $280 at amazon.com
• Nkove Universal Tea Infuser, $6, originally $7 at amazon.com
• Gsi Outdoors Bugaboo Backpacker Ceramic Cookset, $64, originally $85 at rei.com
• Freshmage Produce Containers for Fridge, Set of 5, $20, originally $22 at amazon.com

Don’t Buy: Plastic Cutting Boards

Do Buy: Wooden Cutting Boards

Royal Craft Wooden Cutting Boards, Set of 3

Skip the plastic cutting boards. They may seem like an easy item to grab during a sale, but research suggests plastic cutting boards may be leaching microplastics into our food, and not so great for knives. Instead, grab this bamboo wooden cutting board set that’s non-toxic and gentler on blades. The three sizes can be used for slicing fruit, prepping vegetables, or cutting meat.

Don’t Buy: Black Plastic Cooking Utensils

Do Buy: a Wooden Cooking Utensil Set

Woodenhouse Wooden Utensil Set with Holder

You may have heard of the growing concerns around black plastic utensils and their potentially harmful chemicals. If your cooking tools need an upgrade, don’t add more plastic to your kitchen. Save 36% on this 6-piece set that comes with a utensil crock, spoon rest, and metal hooks. Made of durable teak wood, the assortment includes a turner, spatula, skimmer, soup ladle, forked spoon, and serving spoon.

Don’t Buy: a Toxic Nonstick Pan

Do Buy: a Ceramic Nonstick Skillet

OXO Enhanced 12-Inch Ceramic Nonstick Frying Pan

If your nonstick pans are flaking, don’t replace them with more toxic cookware. Upgrade to a non-toxic option like this shopper-loved OXO ceramic nonstick skillet with over 13,000 five-star ratings. Customers love that its coating is slick and durable.

Don’t Buy: Plastic Food Storage Containers

Do Buy: Glass Food Storage Containers

Rubbermaid Brilliance 3.2-Cup Glass Food Storage Containers, Set of 4

It may be tempting to snag the first plastic food storage container deal you see, but you should grab these Rubbermaid Brilliance glass containers instead. They’re durable, easy to clean, and truly leakproof, thanks to their airtight lids. The glass is also oven-safe up to 450°F, so it can double as cookware or serveware.

Don’t Buy: a Travel Mug that Won’t Fit Your Car Cupholder

Do Buy: an Insulated Travel Mug Built for Cupholders

Yeti Rambler 20-Ounce Travel Mug

No need to risk a travel mug not fitting into your car cupholder. The Yeti Rambler mugs are designed to fit into any cupholder, so you’ll never have to awkwardly balance your drink while driving again. The double-wall insulation also keeps your beverages hot or cold for hours. You can grab the travel mug in lime on sale. 

Don’t Buy: Single Knives

Do Buy: a Full Knife Set

Henckels Dynamic Razor-Sharp 7-Piece Knife Set

If your entire knife collection needs an upgrade, don’t just buy one-off knives. Grab this Henckels set with a serrated knife, bread knife, chef’s knife, paring knife, utility knife, kitchen shears, and a wooden storage block. It’s also a whopping 43% off.

Don’t Buy: a Separate Air Fryer and Toaster Oven

Do Buy: an Air Fryer Toaster Oven

Instant Pot Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven

We love a multitasking appliance, and the Instant Pot Omni Plus is one of our favorites in the category. This air fryer toaster oven heats quickly and maintains consistent temperatures while cooking. The user-friendly control panel has a large dial for selecting presets and setting times. It evenly browns slices of toast and produces crispy fries.

Don’t Buy: Tea Bags With Microplastics

Do Buy: a Metal Tea Infuser

Nkove Universal Tea Infuser

Stocking up on tea this Memorial Day? Skip the tea bags that may be leaching toxins into your beverages. Instead, grab loose-leaf teas and a metal tea infuser to make your favorite comfort drink, minus the potential chemicals. 

Don’t Buy: Separate Camp Cookware Pieces

Do Buy: a Nesting Camp Cookware Set

GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Backpacker Ceramic Cookset

For campers with a plan to enjoy summers outdoors, don’t bother buying separate cookware pieces. Make packing and storage more manageable by getting this nesting ceramic cookset with a pot, pan, two mugs, and two bowls. Carry everything you need to make a meal in one compact package.

Don’t Buy: Single-Use Plastic Food Storage Bags

Do Buy: Produce Storage Containers

Freshmage Produce Containers for Fridge, Set of 5

If you’re ready to stop throwing away fruits and vegetables, it’s time to upgrade to a new solution. While single-use plastic bags may be great for packing lunches or snacks, you shouldn’t get them for storing produce. These containers are built for keeping fruit and vegetables separated from moisture in your fridge. That way, they’ll remain crisp and fresh for much longer.