I’m very particular about the cookware I allow into my kitchen. To earn a place in my small space, it has to be non-toxic, yet until recently, I had never given much thought to my colander.
Admittedly, it sounds a little silly. Of all the non-toxic cookware to scrutinize, this simple finishing tool is only used for a few minutes before being washed and put away. Still, plastic is plastic, and it can pose a contamination risk.
Here’s why it matters more than you might think, and why switching to a $15 stainless steel colander from Amazon feels like the smarter choice for my health-conscious kitchen.
Why Switching My Colander Was The Final Piece of My Non-Toxic Puzzle
Made of professional-grade 18/10, 304 stainless steel, this colander is rust-resistant and will never affect the taste of your food. It's available in two sizes for larger portions, too.
The same plastic colander has been part of my cookware collection since university, more than seven years ago. It’s done its job perfectly well, but once I became more aware of the potential risks associated with heating plastics in the kitchen, I realized I probably should have replaced it with a stainless steel strainer (from Amazon) sooner to create a non-toxic home.
For example, a 2024 study examining microplastic and PTFE contamination from cookware found that both new and older plastic kitchen tools can release micro- and nanoplastics into food during preparation. Everything from utensils to pitchers to colanders can contribute, and the older the item, the greater the potential for contamination. The thought made me shudder.
According to the study, 'Assuming a meal was prepared daily per the prescribed methodology, new and old plastic cookware may be contributing 2409-4964 microplastics per annum into homecooked food.'
Now, I’m not cooking my dinner in a colander. But I do strain boiling pasta and vegetables in it, often letting them sit and steam while I finish preparing the rest of the meal. Even short exposure like that can add up over time, making the risk feel harder to ignore.
The solution, fortunately, was simple. Just as with the rest of my cookware, it meant replacing plastic with a durable stainless steel or ceramic alternative. These non-reactive materials don't contain harmful plastics or chemicals, making them a simple swap for instant peace of mind.
It's a small change, but it certainly all adds up, and I won't be making a similar mistake again.
What to Shop
There’s also a strong argument for investing in cookware and accessories that look just as good as they are for your health. Picking sleek stainless steel or charming, handcrafted ceramics offers the best of both visual appeal and practicality, making a small kitchen look more luxurious.
With that in mind, I’ve cherry-picked six essentials that are as beautiful as they are functional to elevate your kitchen.
Prices correct at the time of publication.
This large white-glazed ceramic colander is ideal for rinsing produce fresh from the garden, grocery store or farmers market, and is pretty enough to leave on your counter between uses.
This rustic, hand-glazed colander is ideal for rinsing and storing fruit and vegetables. Made of hand-glazed stoneware, it is also microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe.
This hand-painted and glazed stoneware berry basket is as pretty as it is practical, making it easy to wash and store fresh berries without the risk of contamination.
Your colander isn't the only consideration for detoxing your kitchen. Swapping from plastic utensils to wooden ones eliminates the contamination risk without the metal tool risk of damaging your pans.
The upgrade from PFAS-based non-stick pans to stainless steel is one of the most important investments you can make for your kitchen. These Le Creuset pans are pricy, but their quality is unmatched, heating evenly, holding their temperature, and searing wonderfully.
The original ceramic-coated bakeware set from Caraway includes a large handled baking sheet, a medium baking sheet, a rectangular pan, a 12-hole muffin pan, a square pan, a loaf pan, a circle pan, a large cooling rack, and two storage organizers. They're a more considered approach to baking that doesn't use PFAS-based non-stick.
It is not just your cookware that needs an upgrade. Consider the best non-toxic kitchen appliances to strip your routine of potentially harmful chemicals.
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