WHAT MATERIALS TO CHOOSE FOR YOUR KITCHEN UTENSILS ?
There are several kitchen utensils, more or less durable, more or less ecological or more or less natural. We get confused and we don't know which ones to choose, which ones will be better for cooking, without impacting our health or our wallet. Plastic is controversial, wood is renewable and very common, stainless steel is durable and resistant, glass has a greener look... Anyway, the goal is to eat healthy, with a solid and durable cookware, good for our health. So, which materials to turn to when choosing good cookware?
PLASTIC UTENSILS
Plastic's not fantastic. That slogan ended several years ago. This material is controversial because it contains bisphenol A (BPA), which is known to be a carcinogen, but also endocrine disruptors, petroleum and undesirable particles. In short, plastic is not the first choice when it comes to healthy, non-polluting cookware. Beyond these drawbacks, plastic utensils are also non-renewable (because of oil), mostly non-recyclable (non ecological aspect), not recommended for heating food; we do not forget plastic boxes in the microwave or utensils such as spoons, ladles, whisks, spatulas ... to stir a heated preparation.
WOODEN UTENSILS
Wood is a healthier, less harmful material; for the environment on the one hand, and for the kitchen on the other. Wooden utensils are renewable, healthier, even healthier if they come from renewable forests. They are pleasant to use, easy to handle and touch. However, it can also transmit a taste when stirring preparations in a frying pan, casserole or saucepan and is also a breeding ground for bacteria. It should be washed well after use, wiped well, not left wet on a corner of the sink or left in a food preparation for too long. If we turn to a wooden kitchen utensil, we must remember to check that the wood is not treated, that it has not undergone any harmful treatment. On the bright side: the wooden utensil is compostable!
STAINLESS STEEL UTENSILS
As for stainless steel, it is one of your best allies for everyday cooking. This material is reputed to be healthy for the body, very light and very strong, stable for cooking both cold and hot and stainless. There is no health risk when using a stainless steel cooking utensil, from spoon to pan, strainer to spatula. It is also ecological, much more durable, -even if it costs more to buy than other materials-, and it keeps bad smells and bacteria away, in the sense that it does not retain them. A must for cooking in good conditions with professional quality kitchen accessories.
GLASS UTENSILS
The glass is very practical in the kitchen for cooking, preserving, heating... It is often used to heat food in the microwave (instead of plastic in particular), or in the oven in lasagna dishes or cake moulds. It is a healthy, hygienic and inert material. It does not pose any health risks like stainless steel. It is also very ecological because it can be recycled very well. To heat your dishes, glass is a very judicious choice in addition to certain stainless steel utensils.