What are the best materials for cooking utensils & spatulas?
- Valentina Grandesso
- Nov 15, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Feb 1
Picking the right materials and tools in your kitchen isn’t just about what you like—it can actually affect the safety of your meals and overall health.
But what is the safest material for cooking utensils? With so many options—wood, steel, plastic, bamboo—it can be tough to know which ones are best.
No worries—we’ve got you covered! This guide will help you make healthier, smarter choices for your kitchen...
How safe cooking utensil materials play a role in healthy kitchens
Choosing the right cooking utensils isn’t just about style—it’s about keeping your meals safe and healthy. If you’ve ever wondered which material is good for cooking utensils, the best choices are nontoxic and durable ones.
After all, what your utensils are made of matters just as much as how they work!
Some materials can break down over time or even release harmful chemicals into your food. But by choosing safe, high-quality options, you’re keeping your kitchen healthier while also protecting the taste and nutrition of your meals.
The benefits of using nontoxic cooking utensil materials
We’ve written a separate article on the healthiest material for cookware mentioning how important it is to choose the right material for your cooking pots and pans, and utensils make no exception. But what are the specific benefits of nontoxic and safe cooking materials? Let’s break it down!
Durable Materials
It’s pretty simple—good-quality kitchen tools are built to last!
If you’ve ever wondered which cooking utensil material is best for health, the best choices are food-grade silicone, stainless steel, and hardwood. These nontoxic, high-quality options aren’t just safer to use, but they also hold up way better than flimsy, cheap alternatives.
Since they’re super durable, you won’t have to replace them as often—saving you money and cutting down on waste. Plus, they keep their shape and function over time, so you can count on them every time you cook. Whether you're flipping pancakes or making a fancy dinner, these trusty utensils have your back!
Chemical Free Cooking & Serving
Wooden cooking utensils, primarily those made form solid hardwood—are all-natural and don’t contain any synthetic additives, making them a great choice for health-conscious cooks. We love acacia wood, walnut and olive wood for beautiful and safe cooking utensils.
Another great option are 100% virgin silicone utensils—quality silicone kitchen products should be completely free of plastics and chemicals that could break down when heated, making them among our favorites for the safest material for cooking utensils.
Better Cooking Performance
Aside from what they are made of, the materials your utensils are made from can make a big difference in how well they perform in the kitchen. Here’s why quality matters:
Silicone
can handle high heat without melting
perfect for flipping pancakes or stirring hot soups without worry
Stainless steel
should be 18/10 grade stainless steel
stainless is strong, great for handling heavier foods
don't use on nonstick ceramic skillets (can scratch the surface)
Hardwood
is gentle on your pots and pans
prevents scratches on delicate cookware like non-stick or ceramic
When you use well-made utensils, cooking feels easier, smoother, and more enjoyable. You get reliable tools that work with you—not against you—so you can focus on making delicious meals with less hassle!
THE RESULTS ARE IN: Our top 5 healthiest materials for cooking utensils
At Healthier Homes, we’re all about making it easier for you to create a safer, toxin-free space for your family. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 5 healthiest materials for cooking utensils, so you can cook with confidence, knowing your tools are safe, durable, and designed for healthier living.
We’ve talked about why it’s so important to have high-quality, non-toxic materials in your kitchen—now it’s time to dive into which ones are the best and why.
...Silicone kitchen utensils
Non-toxic Materials
High-quality silicone is made from natural minerals (silica) and is completely non-toxic. Always look for utensils made from 100% virgin silicone. Cheaper, lower-quality options may contain hidden plastic or fillers that could affect their safety—so always check the label and go for trusted brands.
How to test silicone to make sure it's high quality?
Pinch or twist the silicone (especially a thin part) and see if it turns white or light-colored. If it changes color, it's low-quality or mixed with fillers. Pure food-grade silicone will not change color when pinched.
You can also do the sniff test... If it smells faintly like laundry detergent fragrances, chances are it's a mix of silicone and recycled plastic which often contains recycled laundry detergent bottles.
Heat Resistance
We love silicone for its incredible heat resistance. This makes it ideal for high-heat cooking tasks, such as baking, where other materials might melt or degrade.
If the silicone melts, warps, or gets sticky over time, it’s likely low-quality and may release toxins.
Gentle on Cookware
One of silicone’s standout features is its flexibility and softness, making it safe for use on nonstick and ceramic cookware.
Using gentle, nontoxic utensils like silicone helps you prevent scratches on your pans, keeping your cookware safe and your meals free from unwanted chemicals that may leach - especially from nonstick pans.
Ease of Cleaning
Silicone utensils are non-porous, meaning they resist stains and odors. They can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher or by hand, making maintenance a breeze.
...Hardwood kitchen utensils
Hardwoods like acacia, olive wood, and oak are some of the best choices for kitchen tools. They’re tough, durable, and don’t crack or soak up moisture the way softer woods do, making them super safe for cooking.
They’re not just great for utensils—you’ll also find them in serving bowls, cutting boards, trays, charcuterie boards, and even mortar and pestles.
Durability
Softer woods, like pine, might to crack, break, or warp over time—and the last thing you want is tiny wood splinters ending up in your food.
With hardwood utensils, you don’t have to worry about that. They’re built to last, safe to use, and a solid choice for any kitchen!
Non-reactive
Wooden utensils do not conduct heat and are non-reactive, meaning they won’t leach chemicals or alter the taste of your food. This makes them a safe and reliable choice for any type of cooking.
Cookware Surfaces
Like silicone, hardwood utensils are perfect for use on delicate surfaces, such as ceramic cookware or bakeware, as they won’t scratch or damage these coatings.
...Bamboo cooking utensils
Sustainable material
Bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials out there. It grows super fast and doesn’t need much water or maintenance, making it an environmentally friendly choice for your home.
However, bamboo is not for everywhere in the house.
Be careful to avoid stranded bamboo products, which may use formaldehyde-based adhesives.
❌ But, not the best
When it comes to bamboo kitchen utensils, bamboo is most often used in its stranded bamboo form.
This means strands of bamboo are glued together with formaldehyde-based glues to "form" into the shape of a cutting board. Or formed into the shape of kitchen utensils, ultimately releasing formaldehyde into your kitchen, your food, and into the air in your home.
For this reason, we say avoid bamboo cooking utensils, and instead use bamboo safely in other areas of the home, such as in towels, trays, bedding and rugs.
...Stainless steel kitchen utensils
Corrosion Resistance
Look for 18/10 rated stainless steel—it's tough and doesn’t rust or corrode, even after years of cooking and washing. That means your utensils stay safe and functional over time.
Hygienic Surface
The smooth surface makes stainless steel super easy to clean and less likely to trap bacteria compared to more porous materials like wood. This makes it a great option for tools like tongs, spatulas, and even worktops in busy kitchens. Just keep in mind—it’s not the best choice for nonstick or ceramic cookware, as it can scratch the surface over time. (use wood or silicone instead on these surfaces).
BBQ Friendly
If you love BBQs, stainless steel is your best friend. It can handle high heat, heavy foods, and intense grilling sessions without bending or breaking. Stainless steel tongs, in particular, are a must-have for flipping burgers and handling steaks like a pro.
Strength and Precision
Stainless steel utensils are sturdy enough for heavy-duty cooking, whether you’re stirring thick sauces or lifting big cuts of meat. When cooking at high temperatures, stainless steel is the best material for cooking utensils since it’s sturdy and safe.
...Ceramic cooking & accessories
While ceramic isn’t typically used for traditional cooking utensils, it’s an excellent choice for food prep, baking, and storage. If you’re wondering about the best cooking utensil material for health, ceramic is a top contender—especially when it comes to reducing plastic in your kitchen. Investing in ceramic kitchen accessories, like storage containers, dishware and bakeware, is a great step toward a healthier, toxin-free home.
Ceramic stoneware is a nontoxic, safe and reliable material for the kitchen because it doesn’t absorb flavors, odors, or stains, keeping your food fresh and pure. It’s also completely free of toxins like BPA and phthalates, which can be found in some plastics.
BEST MATERIAL FOR COOKING UTENSILS:
blenders, strainers & coffee
When it comes to kitchen tools, some designs and materials make a big difference in keeping your cooking space clean and free from hidden bacteria.
Here are a few common kitchen essentials that require special attention to ensure they stay safe and sanitary...
Blenders...
Over time, food residue builds up in the crevice where the blade sits, making blenders harder to clean completely. This happens with both plastic and glass blenders, but plastic can scratch and absorb odors, making it even more difficult to maintain.
Glass vessels are the better choice since they don’t absorb stains or odors like plastic.
Replacing your blender every few years helps ensure it stays hygienic.
PRO TIP: The best way to clean your blender is to fill it with hot water and soap and hydrogen peroxide, run it on low for 30 seconds, and repeat if needed. This helps loosen food residue before it hardens. For deep cleaning, consider adding a small amount of bleach instead of peroxide.
Strainers...
Whether you're washing fruits and veggies for food prep, or doing a quick rinse after flash boiling perfectly crunchy greens, everyone need a trusty fruit and vegetable strainer. The issue we've run into time and again is traditional metal strainers will trap dirty water and food residues around the top rim.
A newer nontoxic alternative are nontoxic silicone strainers for post-cooking rinsing and straining. They're easy to clean and don't trap grime and bacteria.
Coffee & Tea...
K-Cups make dispensing tea and coffee super easy, one cup at a time. But K-cups are also made from cheap plastic that gets super hot and pressurized every time a cup is brewed. If you're wanting that single cup freshness, here's some safer alternatives:
For a single cup of coffee: Skip the store bought K cup, and invest in a re-usable metal mesh K-cup. Just fill with your fav ground coffee beans and pop into your K cup machine. an espresso machine
Safer tea time alternatives: Avoid plastic tea bags and go for reusable stainless steel tea bags or tea bags made from safe PLA plant-based plastic.
BBQ COOKING UTENSILS: safe grilling essentials
BBQ Utensils & Grates...
For grilling, the right utensils and equipment are key to both safety and durability.
The safest material for tongs and spatula is indeed stainless steel - ideal for handling food safely at high temperatures.
Avoid aluminum-coated utensils and grates, as aluminum can degrade over time and may not be food-safe under extreme heat.
When your grilled meat and veggies are done, use a large ceramic stoneware platter that's clean (not the previous platter used with the uncooked food on it). Ceramic platters are nontoxic, heat resistant, and beautiful for serving.
PRO TIP: To keep your BBQ clean and sanitary, turn the heat on high for 10 minutes before cooking, then quickly scrub off the charred residue with a wire brush. This helps remove leftover food particles and bacteria, keeping your grilling surface fresh for every use.
In a nutshell:
Check for 100% virgin silicone cooking materials
When buying silicone utensils, always check that they’re made from 100% virgin silicone—this means they’re free from fillers or recycled plastics that could break down and release harmful chemicals.
Prioritize durability
Long-lasting utensils not only save you money but also help keep your kitchen safer. Stainless steel is a great option because it doesn’t wear down easily, resists bacteria, and is super easy to clean. Choosing durable tools also means less waste, making it a more sustainable choice.
Consider heat resistance
Some materials handle high heat better than others. Silicone and stainless steel are great for grilling and high-temperature cooking, while hard wood is better for lower-heat tasks like stirring and serving.
Eating clean is great, but what you cook with matters just as much. ✨
No need to stress though—start simple and build from there... Each small swap makes a big difference in reducing toxins in your home! Check our curated collection of nontoxic Healthier Homes kitchenware essentials and safe kitchen utensils :)