Swap These Cooking Utensils With Non-Toxic Alternatives

Recent research suggests that we absorb harmful substances through cutting boards, tea bags, and kitchen utensils. The idea is alarming enough to convince us to swap our flimsy, half-melted plastic cooking utensils with wooden, stainless steel, and silicone models that won’t slough synthetic materials into our bodies. 

To make the transition easier, we rounded up non-toxic versions of spatulas, whisks, basting brushes, and more popular tools that likely see daily use in your kitchen. While our picks start at just $6, they will undoubtedly have an outsized impact on your cooking. 

 Popular Non-Toxic Cooking Utensils 

• OXO Good Grips Silicone Spatulas, Set of 3, $21 
• Ohtomber Tea Infuser Strainer, $8
• KitchenAid Universal Bamboo Spoon, $7 
• Digead Stainless Steel Egg Whisk, $7 
• Zulay Kitchen Stainless Steel Spatula, $22, originally $17 
• Hiware Stainless Steel Spider, $10, originally $12 
• Hotec Silicone Basting Brushes, Set of 2, $7 
• Donxote Wooden Noodles Cooking Chopsticks, $6

OXO Good Grips Silicone Spatulas, Set of 3

You shouldn’t use stainless steel kitchen utensils on nonstick pans because the coating scratches easily. Instead, grab OXO’s silicone spatulas. They’re gentle enough to use with fragile cookware, are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, and have a much higher tolerance for heat than plastic. With three spatulas in the set, you’ll never be without the proper size or shape for your task.   

Ohtomber Tea Infuser Strainer

Loose-leaf tea is easy to brew when you have the proper tools. Since recent research suggests that disposable tea bags can release “millions” of micro- and nanoplastic particles into our drinks, it’s likely healthier and more economical to switch to a reusable strainer. Join the 2,000-plus Amazon shoppers who smartly switched to Ohtomber’s model. It’s only $8, but you can use it to brew tea for years to come.   

KitchenAid Universal Bamboo Spoon 

Like silicone, bamboo and wooden spoons are safe to use with nonstick cookware. While neither material can be put in the dishwasher under any circumstances, they’re easy to wash by hand. If you dry KitchenAid’s bamboo spoon right after rinsing, it will last a long time in your kitchen. 

Digead Stainless Steel Egg Whisk 

Over 2,800 Amazon shoppers swear by this stainless steel egg whisk for, well, whisking eggs, but also frothing milk, whipping cream, mixing pancake batter, combining cocktail ingredients, and more. Reviewers love that when you press down on the handle, the blades automatically start turning for easy whisking all day long. After ordering one for their home, a shopper “can’t imagine” how they got by without it.  

Zulay Kitchen Stainless Steel Spatula 

A high-quality stainless steel spatula can last for decades without rusting. Even if you use it every day to flip hamburgers, sear salmon, or stir-fry chicken, its sturdy design will ensure it outlasts almost every other tool in your kitchen drawer. But the best part is that it’s dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup every time.      

Hiware Stainless Steel Spider 

We use spider strainers to lift cooked pasta out of boiling water, scoop golden-brown French fries out of hot oil, and transfer delicate poached eggs to a piece of toast. This multi-functional tool deserves a spot in every kitchen, especially now that this popular model is only $10 for a limited time.       

Hotec Silicone Basting Brushes, Set of 2 

Whether you’re brushing butter on top of homemade croissants or glazing grilled salmon, you need basting brushes nearby. After years of using boar-bristle brushes (and finding said bristles in our food later on), many here at Food & Wine transitioned to silicone models. We couldn’t be happier with this swap: Not only does the silicone stay firmly in place, but they’re also much easier to clean since you can put them in the dishwasher.  

Donxote Wooden Noodles Cooking Chopsticks 

Cooking chopsticks, like this set from Donxote, are beloved by thousands of Amazon shoppers who use them to whisk eggs, flip vegetables on the grill, toss salads, and so much more. At nearly 17 inches, these are much longer than the set you would find at your local sushi restaurant to allow for better reach and more flexibility while cooking. As with all wooden kitchen tools, these need to be washed by hand and dried thoroughly after use.