Kitchen Non Toxic Shopping Guide

November 7, 2024

Cleaned up your diet but still using toxic cookware? This is our running list of our favorite non toxic kitchen items. Check back often!

In drafting this list, we did consider products which have been previously tested for heavy metals and did well, although not everything on this list has been tested for heavy metals. Learn more about materials and detoxing your kitchen here.

For all of our buying guides, check out our Ultimate Toxin-Free Shopping Guide.

We don’t stock everything listed here, so you’ll find links to Amazon or other stores. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you (affiliate disclosure).

Cookware

If it says “nonstick”, it likely contains a coating that uses toxic chemicals and each time you cook either the heat activates these chemicals, or a single scratch can release them into your food and into your body. Heavy metals and forever chemicals (PFAS) are of the greatest concern. Safest choice is to opt for stainless steel or cast iron cookware from trusted manufacturers.

We have yet to find a truly safe "non-stick" cookware set. We do not support Caraway or Xtrema. They tested positive for heavy metals in the past, and it is similar to other non stick… a glaze or coating that is “fine” until it’s scratched. Users have also reported the Caraway cookware sets scratching easily, even with careful handling. Learn more about materials here.

Stainless steel

Personally, Ivy is a fan of Cuisinart because our current set is over a decade old and going strong, plus they offer lifetime warranties. We reached out to Cuisinart to learn more about the materials they used. They DO test their stainless steel for common chemicals (BPA, Mercury, Lead, Arsenic, ETC.) on parts that come in contact with food/water. All of their stainless steel is 18/0, except for their Chef's Classic which is 18/10. Their 66-11 set uses a Xylan/Quantanium non-stick coating which contains PTFE (a type of PFAS, and this is NOT crunchy-approved!)

Cuisinart French Classic (18/0, Made in France)
Cuisinart Chefs Classic, 17-piece set (18/10, magnetic exterior)
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Tri-Ply (18/0)
360 Cookware (if you want to splurge)
Heritage Steel Cookware (luxury purchase; family-owned; made in the USA!)
Farberware 10-piece stainless steel cookware set

Cast iron

Note: If you’re the kind of person who leaves your pans soaking in the sink, don’t get cast iron. You will eventually ruin it. You may want to re-season these since most pans everywhere are seasoned with mineral oil.

Lodge cast iron square skillet (sometimes you can find this brand in Homegoods or TJ Maxx)
Utopia cast iron 3-piece frying pan set
Rome Cast Iron Waffle Maker

Bakeware

It's definitely glass for the win here!! Glass is a top choice for bakeware due to its non toxic and practical qualities. Glass does not release harmful chemicals or toxins when exposed to high temperatures. Its non-porous nature prevents the absorption of flavors, odors, or stains and it is great for even heat distribution. The transparency of glass also allows you to closely monitor baking progress without the need to open the oven. Glass is also durable and resistant to scratches. Stainless steel is also an option. Learn more about different types of glass in our kitchen article.

Note on Silicone: sometimes we are asked about silicone items. We generally avoid silicone because some silicones are made with fillers which can leach (sometimes unknown) chemicals, especially when heated. Unfortunately, many silicone products on the market often contain fillers. (source) We also find that food oils are difficult to remove and they sometimes stain.

However, you can find safe silicone and it does have its conveniences such as being lightweight and unbreakable for your little ones. If you do purchase silicone, avoid using it with high heat foods as leaching has been reported. Look for trusted brands like Otter Love which uses 100% Platinum Pure LFGB Silicone, and EZPZ which uses CPSC-certified and 3rd party tested food-safe silicone.

Glass

Anchor hocking Glass Baking Dishes (Anchor Hocking is made in USA and tests well for heavy metals)
Pyrex glass baking dish with glass lid (some Pyrex made in USA, but also China, Canada, Australia; check labels)
Pyrex 9.5 in scalloped glass pie plate

Stainless steel

E-far stainless steel loaf pan
E-far stainless steel sheet cake pans
Wildone stainless steel pans and cookie sheets (lead-free)
E-far stainless steel muffin pan tin, 6, set of 2 (lead-free)
Fox Run stainless steel muffin pan, 12 (lead-free)
E-far stainless steel round cake pans, set of 3 (lead-free)

Diningware

Your best choice is stainless steel. Look for 18/0 if you want to avoid nickel (allergy). 18/10 flatware contains nickel and is typically stronger. You should avoid any adornments which are more likely to be contaminated with heavy metals due to color added.

The best materials for your dinner plates and bowls are ceramic, glass, porcelain, or stainless steel. Avoid plastic. I generally like to avoid painted adornments too, although this is more of an issue with vintage dining ware (many contain lead).

Flatware

Liberty 18/10 Stainless Steel Flatware (Made in the USA)
Oneida 18/0 Everyday Stainless Steel Flatware

Bowls and Plates

(See Baby & Kids section for Kid-friendly suggestions)

Anchor Hocking Glass Bowls
Duralex 18 piece Glass Dinnerware Set (Made in France)
Mora Ceramics (Minneapolis Brand)
Corelle Winter Frost White Collection (brand new Corelle tests great for heavy metals, however, we still suggest avoiding painted adornments, and don't buy vintage Corelle)

Drinkware

When it comes to drinkware, we recommend glass. Did you know that the cheap glassware at the dollar store is LESS likely to contain lead than the fancy stuff at the expensive stores? For your everyday drinks, any new glasses should do, but look for brands that specifically advertise they are lead-free. Do not use vintage drinkware. They are known to contain extremely high levels of lead and are illegal by today’s standards. Stainless steel cups are great to use with little ones who cannot handle glass.

Ice Trays

W&P Silicone Ice Trays (according to their website, they use food-grade LFGB- and FDA-certified silicone; they also claim: "All our materials are free from phthalates and bisphenol, meet FDA food-grade standards, comply with CA Prop 65, and contain no harmful chemicals, glues, or adhesives."

Serveware/Entertaining

The best materials for serveware are stainless steel and wood. Silicone is okay, but we suggest avoiding silicone in high heat situations, particularly if it comes in contact with food. Avoid plastic.

Serving Utensils

Large Capacity Pitchers

Platters

Sweese Ceramic Party Platters and Serveware (French Company)

Disposable options

EvermadeGreen Disposable Palm Leaf Plates (Small business)
EarthClusive Disposable Wooden Utensils (1 tree planted and 1 American fed with every purchase)

Small Appliances

Air Fryers

Most air fryers contain a non stick surface that contain PFAS. These forever chemicals leach into your food and accumulate in your body causing a ton of health issues, including reproductive problems and cancer. This air fryer by Ninja can be purchased with a stainless steel insert. We do NOT recommend you use the ceramic coated basket that comes with the air fryer. Switch to the stainless steel insert instead. The best thing about this air fryer is that it also works as a rice cooker, pressure cooker, steamer, broiler, and more! It’s sure to replace a ton of appliances in your home.

Ninja FD401 Foodi 12-in-1 deluxe pressure cooker and air fryer (get it with the Stainless steel insert for Ninja; the included insert has a coating on it)
Cuisinart TOA-70 stainless steel air fryer and convention toaster oven (one of the included pans has a non stick coating, swap it for a stainless steel one instead)
Our Place Wonder Toaster Oven (Internal materials are made of stainless steel and chrome. But again, check the pans. This brand likes to use coatings on their pans, just swap for a stainless steel insert.)
Fritaire Glass Air Fryer (we love that you can see how it's cooking without having to open, Glass basket, BPA-free materials)
Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer (Glass bowl which also comes with lids for storing leftovers in a single step!)

Fun Foods

Toaster Ovens

Most toaster ovens are a safe buy as most of them come in stainless steel. However, one mistake we see many make is using aluminum foil to line the rack to prevent food/juices from burning at the bottom. Unfortunately, placing your food on aluminum foil leaches metals into your food. Instead, opt for a stainless steel tray.

Black+Decker natural convection toaster oven (always check your toaster oven's pans; many brands have been using ones with coatings. If yours arrives with a coating, simply replace it with a stainless steel pan).
Cuisinart TOA-70 stainless steel air fryer and convention toaster oven (one of the included pans has a non stick coating, swap it for a stainless steel one instead)
Our Place Wonder Toaster Oven (Internal materials are made of stainless steel and chrome. But again, check the pans. This brand likes to use coatings on their pans, just swap for a stainless steel insert.)
Black+Decker 2 Slice Pop Up Toaster (Stainless Steel)
Stainless steel toaster oven insert (double check that the sizes work for you)

Frothers

Zulay Kitchen Double milk frother (rechargeable, lifetime warranty, handheld)
Maestri Double milk frother (rechargeable)
Maestri house milk heater, frother and steamer (get the ones that detach for easy cleaning! They have a few different options.)

Blenders

Pay a little more for the glass blender. Your food and drinks will take better without that leftover stain and smells that plastic blenders tend to absorb. We also highly recommend an immersion blender for easier clean up than your traditional blenders! If your immersion blender comes with a plastic beaker, trade it in for a glass one instead.

Oster glass blender
Braun Immersion blender (personal favorite; easy clean up; pair with a large wide mouth mason jar - instead of using the included plastic jar)
MasterChef immersion blender (budget buy)

Coffee and Tea Makers

Ideally you want to avoid hot water running through plastic parts when making your coffee or tea. Heat activates plastic and can leach microplastics and other chemicals into your beverage. We love French presses and they are economical too. We also love glass tea kettles. They are available in stainless steel as well, but we like glass so we can see the cleanliness :) If you are an espresso drinker, look for commercial grade espresso machines which tend to have more stainless steel parts, and less plastic! The Technivorm is also mostly made of stainless steel, except for the brew basket, which the company claims they test for safety.

Bodum brazil french press coffee and tea maker (Bodum manufacturers in Portugal, Germany, Poland and China)
Unbreakable pour over coffee maker (stainless steel filter)
Chemex pour over coffee maker
Viante Glass electric tea kettle
Unbreakable Glass Tea Pots
London Sip Espresso Maker (Percolator) (stainless steel; use caution - most percolators are made of aluminum)

Food Prep

In many instances, we prefer glass over stainless steel here because it is more scratch-resistant. For cooking utensils, we prefer stainless steel. However, if you are using stainless steel cookware, it is best to use wooden cooking utensils to prevent scratching. You'll find several different types of wood: bamboo, beech, teak and acacia. Teak wood is known for its durability and natural resistance to moisture. Acacia is naturally antibacterial. Bamboo is a cost effective choice, but be careful with the quality as it varies.

Juice, Fruits & Veggies

Measuring

Cutting Boards

Wooden cutting boards are hard to shop for. You will want to ensure the adhesives used are food-safe and free of formaldehyde or toxic epoxies, which most reputable manufacturers use. Cutting boards and utensils cut from solid wood pieces (rather than glued together) is ideal, but hard to find and very expensive. Don't be afraid to ask manufacturers about the glues they use. Definitely avoid no-name, Amazon-only brands. Most new wooden cutting boards are sealed with mineral oil (which is petroleum-based and not recommended). You can give it a good clean before its first use, and re-oil with a safer oil.

Sonder LA Cutting Boards (highly rated)
Farberware Glass Cutting Board (some report dulling of their knives, but paired with a knife sharpener, glass is an excellent non-toxic choice!)

Mixing Bowls

Pyrex Glass mixing bowls
Tiger Chef stainless steel mixing bowls (different sizes)

Cooking Utensils

Food Storage

If you’re still holding on to your tupperware, it’s time to let it go. Did you know vintage tupperware contains illegal levels of lead? No thanks! For food storage, stick to glass, stainless steel and silicone. We’ve linked some of our favorites here.