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4 Common Kitchen Tools You Should Replace—and the Best Non-Toxic Swaps
Samira Vishwas | August 19, 2026 5:24 PM CST

Stop using these worn-out tools.

Credit: EatingWell

Non-Toxic Kitchen Swaps

Many home cooks, including those of us who test kitchen gear here at EatingWellare looking for tools that perform exceptionally well without common materials like plastic or forever chemicals such as PFAS. The rise of non-toxic gear is one we don’t see falling any time soon. To help you weed out the good from the bad, we’ve rounded up four common products folks are looking to swap. Whether you want to get rid of those stained plastic containers or finally toss your worn nonstick pan, we found options for you like glass containers, wooden cutting boards, stainless steel pans and more.

Skip: Scratched Up Plastic Cutting Boards

Grab: Microplastic-Free Cutting Boards

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

Chances are, your plastic cutting board has quite a few visible slice marks on the surface. While that’s not unusual for a board that regularly handles knife cuts, those grooves could increase microplastic exposure because cutting can release tiny plastic particles that end up going into your food. If microplastics are a concern for you, like they are for many of us, opt for wooden cutting boards to reduce your risk. We have recommendations for any budget, including the Totally Bamboo Cutting Board Set for only $20, which performed incredibly well in our tests. We also recommend the John Boos Chop-N-Slice cutting board and the Caraway maple wood set.

Skip: Flaking Nonstick Air Fryers

Grab: Stainless Steel or Glass Air Fryers

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

Unfortunately, many air fryers have nonstick coatings that may contain PFAS, also known as forever chemicals. One way to reduce the risks is to use a glass or stainless steel air fryer. Luckily, there are some fantastic options available. Ninja has pioneered the glass air fryer game with its Crispy Ninja, and we’re big fans of the high-capacity Instant Pot Omni Plus if you want a toaster oven air fryer. Other great options include the Our Place Wonder Oven Pro and the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven.

Skip: Old Plastic Containers

Grab: Glass Food Storage Containers

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

The quality of plastic containers degrades over time, so any you have on hand that have seen better days are worth swapping out. Glass containers are having a moment, and for a good reason: They’re durable, versatile and long-lasting. Bentgo’s glass containers are some of my favorites. The base is made of glass, and the lid is made from glass and silicone—no plastic lids in sight here. Urban Green makes a slightly more affordable version of those. You also can’t go wrong with Ball Wide Mouth Glass Mason Jars or tall ComSaf Large Square Glass Jars for the pantry. And the Anyday 4-Cup Glass Microwave Steamer and Food Storage is designed to cook food in the microwave without any fuss or worry, then be used as a container for storing.

Skip: PFA Nonstick Pans

Grab: Stainless Steel and Cast-Iron Cookware

Credit: Amazon
Credit: Amazon

Many nonstick pans are designed for a good time, not a long time. They’re nice, slick and easy to use until their coatings start chipping into your food. Investing in pieces made of cast-iron and stainless steel is ideal for cooks who use their cookware often. These materials last for decades and don’t chip over time. We’re huge fans of the Calphalon stainless steel line, which you can buy as a 2-piece pot and pan seta single skillet or a 10-piece seteach at great prices. Lodge is just about the best choice for anything cast-iron. The classic 10.25-inch skillet is great, and if you want something more lightweight, snag the Blacklock Triple-Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet.

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