Kitchen & Dining

Food prep

Mixing, measuring and grinding tools that keep food against steel, glass, wood, ceramic or silicone.

A metal blade does not make a tool plastic-free if the ingredients sit in a plastic chamber.  We look at bowls, chutes and working parts together, excluding plastic that touches food.  Wood finishes and ceramic glazes also need to be appropriate for food preparation.

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Microplane Professional 2.0 Fine Grater Microplane Professional 2.0 Fine Grater STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: This fine blade turns citrus peel, garlic and Parmesan into small shavings directly over a bowl.  Food touches stainless steel rather than a plastic collection chamber, and the handle and surrounding frame are also steel.  A non-slip end adds support.  The blade is made in the U.S.; assembly is in Mexico. Materials: stainless steel blade · 18/8 stainless steel handle and frame $26.99★ 4.6 · 100+ ratings View on Amazon
triangle Single-Blade Stainless Steel Mincing Knife — 7 Inch triangle Single-Blade Stainless Steel Mincing Knife — 7 Inch STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: The curved stainless-steel blade rocks through herbs, garlic and nuts, offering a simple way to mince by hand.  Made and hand-sharpened in Solingen, Germany, it has two polypropylene grips above the cutting blade.  Hand-washing is recommended to help preserve the edge, even though the knife is dishwasher-safe. Materials: stainless-steel blade · polypropylene handles $33.93★ 4.5 · 100+ ratings View on Amazon
Westmark Uno Stainless Steel Mincing Knife Westmark Uno Stainless Steel Mincing Knife STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: This curved stainless-steel blade lets you mince herbs, garlic and onions directly on a cutting board, without a plastic chopper bowl.  The two rounded handles give you control over the rocking motion.  Those handles are polypropylene, not metal; keep them above the food and hand-wash the knife as Westmark recommends. Materials: stainless steel blade · polypropylene handles $28.23★ 4.5 · 3,000+ ratings View on Amazon
Skeppshult Swing Cast-Iron Spice Mill with Walnut Lid Skeppshult Swing Cast-Iron Spice Mill with Walnut Lid CAST IRONSILICONE Why we recommend it: This hand-powered mill crushes peppercorns and dried herbs between two oil-seasoned cast-iron surfaces.  Made in Sweden, it has a separate upper storage compartment with a walnut lid and silicone seal.  The outside has a lacquer finish, so do not heat it to re-season it like a pan.  Use only dry spices—not salt or fresh herbs—and dry it thoroughly after cleaning. Materials: oil-seasoned cast iron · walnut lid · silicone seal · lacquered exterior $84.00★ 4.4 · 400+ ratings View on Amazon
triangle Spirit Stainless-Steel Melon Baller — 25 mm triangle Spirit Stainless-Steel Melon Baller — 25 mm STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: A sharpened stainless-steel scoop shapes melon and removes seeds without a plastic cutting surface.  The 25 mm bowl makes roughly one-inch pieces and can go in the dishwasher.  Its handle is a polypropylene-and-wood-fiber composite—not solid wood—and stays outside the cutting area. Materials: stainless steel · polypropylene-and-wood-fiber handle · silver solder $14.84★ 4.4 · 93 ratings View on Amazon
Westmark Gallant Stainless Steel Swivel Peeler Westmark Gallant Stainless Steel Swivel Peeler STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: The swiveling blade follows the curves of potatoes, carrots and apples, while a small steel point removes blemishes.  Both the cutting blade and its frame are stainless steel.  The soft-grip handle contains polypropylene and TPE plastic, but sits away from the intended food-contact area.  Made in Germany; dishwasher safe. Materials: stainless steel blade and frame · polypropylene and TPE handle $19.25★ 4.4 · 1,000+ ratings View on Amazon
triangle Spirit Stainless Steel Julienne Cutter with Three Blades triangle Spirit Stainless Steel Julienne Cutter with Three Blades STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: Three interchangeable stainless-steel blades turn firm vegetables into fine matchsticks, wider strips or flat slices.  Made in Solingen, Germany, the cutter has a steel head and replaceable blades, so a worn edge does not mean replacing the whole tool.  The GreenGrip handle is wood-filled plastic; it is separate from the cutting surface.  Keep fingers clear of the sharp blades. Materials: stainless steel · wood-filled plastic handle $72.10★ 4.2 · 83 ratings View on Amazon
conte Makanai 18/8 Stainless Steel Prep Tray 220 conte Makanai 18/8 Stainless Steel Prep Tray 220 STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: Use this shallow steel tray to hold chopped ingredients, coat food in crumbs or carry a small serving to the table.  Its rounded edges are easy to wash, with no plastic lining against food.  Made in Japan, it also rests on a separately sold Makanai 220 bowl as a reusable cover instead of cling film.  That loose cover is not airtight or leakproof, so it is not a travel container. Materials: 18/8 stainless steel $38.00 View product
Mosser Glass Citrus Reamer with Bowl — Jadeite Mosser Glass Citrus Reamer with Bowl — Jadeite GLASS Why we recommend it: The raised cone and juice-collecting bowl are glass, so citrus meets glass rather than a plastic reaming head and reservoir.  An integrated handle and pouring lip let you move the juice into a recipe without changing containers first.  This Ohio-made manual tool needs no motor or removable plastic parts; handle its bowl and spout carefully to avoid chips. Materials: pressed glass (reaming cone, collecting bowl and handle) $38.50 View product
Riess Gmundner Floral Enamel Measuring Jug, 1 L Riess Gmundner Floral Enamel Measuring Jug, 1 L ENAMEL Why we recommend it: Interior liter markings let you measure liquids without using a plastic jug, and the narrow spout helps pour them into a mixing bowl or pan.  Riess makes this one-liter version in Austria from glass enamel over iron.  It can also gently warm measured milk or water on a suitably small burner.  The markings are metric, not US cup measures, and the metal-based jug cannot go in a microwave. Materials: porcelain enamel over iron $88.00 View product
Three Snow Stainless Steel Egg Strainer — 12.5 cm Three Snow Stainless Steel Egg Strainer — 12.5 cm STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: For silky custards and chawanmushi, pass beaten egg through the fine steel mesh to catch strands that whisking leaves behind.  The cone directs the mixture into a small jug, while a rim hook steadies the strainer over a bowl.  It offers a reusable alternative to nylon mesh, with an all-metal handle and no plastic touching the food. Materials: 18/8 stainless steel mesh, rim, hook and wire handle $21.00 View product
Three Snow Stainless Steel Multipurpose Flat Sieve — 24 cm Three Snow Stainless Steel Multipurpose Flat Sieve — 24 cm STAINLESS STEEL Why we recommend it: The flat, tensioned mesh offers a metal surface for pressing soft cooked food into a smooth purée.  It can also drain ingredients or cover a suitably sized pan as a splatter screen, so there is no nylon web against the food.  This Japanese-made tool uses a reinforced steel frame and 0.8 mm openings; it is a sieve, not a sealed cooking lid. Materials: 18/8 stainless steel woven screen, frame and handle $19.00 View product

What we avoid

These are category-level exclusions when materials or treatments are disclosed.  Each product card explains why we recommend it and lists the disclosed materials.

BPA & BPS Phthalate plasticizers PVC Melamine