What to cook with instead of black plastic

Don’t want to take the risk? “There are numerous alternatives to black plastic cooking utensils,” says Harlander. Here a list of materials that both our experts recommend to those trying to avoid black plastic:

  • Wood or bamboo: “They are natural, non-toxic, biodegradable and suitable for non-stick cookware,” says Harlander. One thing to remember: Wood is more porous, so it requires careful cleaning to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Food-grade stainless steel: Harlander says this material is durable, heat-resistant and recyclable. Just know that stainless steel utensils cannot be used on non-stick pans, as they can scratch the surface and remove the protective coating.
  • Silicone: Food-grade silicone is heat-resistant and safe for non-stick surfaces, making this material a good option for those who like to cook on high heat or use non-stick pans.

Safe cooking utensils

If you want to ditch black plastic, here are a few cooking utensils made from the other materials our experts recommended. All options below are highly rated, with at least a 4-star average rating from hundreds of reviews.

Our Place Cooking Utensils

Our Place makes some of our favorite kitchen appliances — like their Dream Pot and Wonder Oven. This set of utensils is made from food-grade silicone and includes a ladle, spatula, whisk, slotted turner, tongs and a basting brush. The handles are ergonomic and dishwasher-safe.

Caraway Utensil Set

I was a devoted black plastic utensil user until my husband and I bought our house in 2020 — and he demanded we switch to wood. He’d grown up in a home that only used wood cooking tools and insisted it was better. Though I was initially skeptical, this set from Caraway won me over with its sleek look and effectiveness. The 5-piece set includes tongs, a spatula, a spoon and more — all made from birch wood. They are great for non-stick pan devotees, as they won’t scratch off that coating. These utensils cannot be placed in a dishwasher and should only be hand-washed.

Great Jones

This 5-piece set is made with silicone and, dare we say, incredibly cute and stylish. The brand says that lollipops inspired the design and that the tools are durable for everyday use.

Berglander Cooking Utensil Set

This 8-piece set comes with seven utensils and a holder for those tools. Everything is made from high-grade stainless steel, which works well on stainless steel pots and pans but should not be used on non-stick cookware. The tools can be placed in the dishwasher and the set has a 4.6-star average rating from over 4,050 reviews on Amazon.

Zulay Kitchen 6-Piece Wooden Spoons

Made from teak, this set comes with a salad spoon and fork, spatula, turner, skimmer and serving spoon. The utensils are close-grained so that they won’t absorb liquids you are cooking and they should only be hand washed with a bit of soap and water, according to the brand. This set has a 4.6-star average rating from over 4,300 reviews on Amazon.

Umite Silicone Cooking Utensil Set

Everything you could need is included in this 8-piece set — such as a serving spoon, ladle, angled spatula, whisk and more. The top of the utensils are made from food-grade silicone that can withstand temperatures up to 446°F. The handles are made from Acacia wood. The first time you use them, they should be soaked in water and air-dried for three hours to get rid of the smell of the silicone. The set has a 4.5-star average rating from 3,989 reviews on Amazon.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

  • Dr. Li Li is an assistant professor at the University of Nevada Reno who specializes in environmental chemistry, industrial ecology and exposure and health sciences.
  • Dr. Susan Harlander has a doctorate in food science and nutrition and is the vice president of technology at Ra Foods.

Why trust NBC Select?

Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed experts on the dangers of cooking with black plastic.

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