GAPS Kitchen Gear (Sustainable Non Toxic Kitchen Gear)

If you’re on the search for non toxic kitchen gear then this is the post for you! For GAPS, kitchen gear is a must and anyone looking to live a healthier lifestyle would do well with swapping out toxic kitchen gear for non-toxic kitchen alternatives.

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s essential to prioritize our well-being and make conscious choices that positively impact our health and the environment. One area often overlooked is our kitchen gear. 

By choosing non-toxic kitchen gear, we not only safeguard our health but also contribute to a sustainable future.

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GAPS Kitchen Gear Guide

Before I go into lengthy explanations about how to chose the best non toxic kitchen gear, here is a quick list of kitchen gear for GAPS.

These GAPS kitchen tools will make it much easier to do the daily cooking necessary for successful implementation of the GAPS diet. And if you’re totally confused- check out my post: What is the GAPS Diet.

GAPS Kitchen Tools:

• One stainless steel pot– glass is ok, but absolutely no teflon! (I’ve linked the brand I personally use, but you can see more options below.)
• Wide mouth mason jars or similar (for storing broth, and making ferments)
• Strainer – for filtering stock
• Immersion blender – for blending soups
• Stainless steel frying pan (Stage 3+)
• Glass baking trays + Ceramic baking casseroles (Stage 4+)
• Glass containers – for storing leftovers and meal prep.
• Souper cubes – for freezing stock and meal prep. in 1 cup portions
• Thermos – for taking warm meals on the go
• Stainless steel lunch boxes – for packed lunches
• Funnel – for pouring stock into jars
• Ladle – for serving stock
• Measuring spoons – for slowly increasing fermented brine
• Tongs – for removing meat bones from soup
• Juicer (Stage 4+)- budget alternative Blender + a Nutmilk bag
• Instant pot or Yogurt maker (for dairy introduction)
• Chest freezer– for storing meat bought in bulk
• Dehydrator– for drying nuts

Why Choose Non-Toxic Kitchen Gear

1. Safeguarding Your Health:

By choosing low-tox kitchen items you reduce exposure to harmful chemicals found in traditional kitchen gear. You also minimize the risk of toxins leaching into your food during cooking and storage. Finally, you promote overall well-being by avoiding potential health issues caused by toxic substances.

2. Supporting a Sustainable Lifestyle:

Non-toxic kitchen gear is typically made from eco-friendly materials and will last significantly longer than cheap gear made with plastics. Choosing sustainable options reduces your carbon footprint and contributes to a healthier planet. By purchasing kitchen tools that last you support ethical and responsible manufacturing practices by opting for eco-conscious kitchen gear.

Non Toxic Kitchen Gear

Making the switch to nontoxic cookware can seem like a daunting task, especially with so many options on the market today. It can be hard to know what is safe and what is not, but understanding which materials are toxic and which are safe can help you make educated decisions and reduce your overall toxic load.

Let’s take a look at the materials to avoid and the safer alternatives.

Cookware Materials to Avoid

🚫 Traditional Non-Stick Coatings and Teflon

Non-stick pans contain the chemicals polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which, when heated, release hazardous chemicals. Over time, these toxins can leach into food. A single scratch on the surface of a Teflon-coated pan can release about 9,100 plastic particles!!!

🚫 Aluminum

There is some debate over aluminum’s safety but it is generally agreed that it can leach into food from cookware, foils and baking trays. Aluminum is a metal we want to avoid ingesting as it is neurotoxic (toxic to the brain).

🚫 Glazed and Decorative Glass and Ceramic Cookware

Poor-quality brands without safety testing may leach cadmium into food, while cookware with decorative ceramic and glass may contain lead.

Cookware Materials to Be Cautious

Copper

Copper cookware is a bit of a gray area. Excess copper can be toxic, and acidic foods increase the risk of leaching. It may be safest to rotate utilization with other cookware materials and check serum copper levels from time to time.

Silicone

Research is limited, suggesting some leaching may occur mostly with baking and with food containing higher fat content. As a once in a while option, silicone is ok.

I personally use silicone muffin cups, but you may feel better about these non-toxic paper liners.

“Green” Cookware

Many manufacturers have created newer non-stick cookware, however, currently, it is unknown whether these new materials are any safer than traditional non-stick pans.

The “green pans” are coated primarily with Thermolon, which is composed predominantly of silicon dioxide. While silicone is theoretically safe to cook with, it is not clear if other components of these pans are problematic.

Ceramic Coated

Avoid ceramic coated cookware that contains colored inner surfaces and rim decorations as they may leach lead, nickel, chromium, and cadmium. While theoretically ceramic is a safe choice, in reality it is hard to know the quality and how long the ceramic coating will last.

Porcelain Enamel (enamel coated cast iron) is typically cast iron cookware that has been coated in an enamel finish. This allows it to be non-stick.

Recommended Cookware Materials

✅ Stainless Steel

The best choice for cooking. Though generally safe, may contain some chromium and nickel, which can be leached into food from acidic foods. Quality of stainless steel varies, with the higher graded numbers suggesting a stronger, longer-lasting steel with a lower nickel content.

Here are some stainless steel cookware sets to check out:

• Calphalon – the goldilocks of stainless steel cookware (I have had my set for 13 years and it is in excellent condition).
• Cuisinart – a very good budget option
• All Clad – the splurge option!

✅ Glass

Lots of budget-friendly choices in many shapes and sizes. (Pyrex is the most common brand in the U.S.). It is completely non-toxic, but not as durable as some other cookware.

• Basic Pyrex Glass baking trays
• Pyrex baking set with lids (very convenient for leaving leftovers in the original pan)

✅ Stoneware and Ceramic

More for baking, stoneware is a great alternative to aluminum baking sheets, roasting pans, and other specialty bakeware. It is not as easy to clean but cooks food evenly.

• Ceramic baking casseroles – Corningware brand has been checked to be safe from lead, and I personally have used these dishes for over a decade.
• Corningware ramekins– these tiny dishes are just the right size for “creme brulee”

✅ Cast Iron

Typically considered very safe for cookware. Iron will leach into food, though this may be desirable for those needing additional iron support (and undesirable for those whose iron is already high).

Many cast iron pans will come pre-seasoned at the factory with a GMO oil. This can be stripped with hot soapy water, and then the cookware can be reseasoned with coconut oil. Never wash with soap as it removes the non-stick coating. Dry well after washing to prevent rusting.

• Lodge cast iron skillet– can be a good option to leave on your stove always for eggs!
• Cast iron griddle– is very convenient for making pancakes!

✅ Carbon Steel

A material similar to cast iron, it is commonly used in frying pans and woks. Dry well to avoid rust.

Non Toxic Cooking Utensils

Choosing cooking utensils can seem insignificant when compared to cookware, however, this selection is just as important!

Utensil materials to avoid include plastic and bamboo. Plastic leaches harmful chemicals such as Phthalates and BPA when heated. Must be avoided.

Bamboo and Pieced Wood are sometimes made by gluing strips of wood together, and contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Choose the ones that are made of one single piece of bamboo or other wood utensils.

✅ Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel is best choice for cooking, though theoretically can scratch surfaces of stainless steel cookware.

✅ Solid Wood

While the utensils will not contain glue, petroleum-derived mineral oil, varnish, lacquer, and polyurethane finishes may also be used to coat the utensils. Look for uncoated, unfinished utensils that can be coated with coconut oil, walnut oil, or beeswax at home. Wood utensils should be washed and dried immediately after use and avoid being soaked to prevent bacteria and mold growth.

✅ Silicone

There is a debate as to whether silicone is inert and non-toxic. High temperatures, above 425°F (220°C) increase the risk of silicone melting and leaching.

Using a silicone spatula when baking should be safe as it is not heated.

Non Toxic Food Storage

Proper food storage is essential for preventing food poisoning and maintaining food freshness. For those that struggle with histamine and mycotoxin issues, or who are immunocompromised, proper handling of food can significantly improve their health by reducing the growth of microorganisms like mold and bacteria.

Glass and stainless steel are non-reactive and are the best choices for food storage containers. Plastics, especially styrofoam, can leach hormone-disrupting and carcinogenic chemicals into food, so these should be avoided.

You can’t go wrong with these Pyrex Glass containers for storing leftovers. It makes it so easy to see what you have, and the containers can go straight into the oven for reheating (without the caps, of course).

Mason jars are another great, inexpensive option as they come in various sizes and can easily be stacked.

Non-Toxic Kitchen Appliances

Adding some small appliances to your kitchen, is a great way to make daily cooking a faster and more enjoyable experience. The more you can prepare home-cooked food, the more likely you will eat a nutrient-dense diet that is key for your health.

Here are a few appliances that can really help make cooking more enjoyable.

Immersion Blender

If I had to recommend only one kitchen appliace to buy, it would be the immersion blender. This blender is amazing for making smoothies, soups right in the pot, and sauces.

This Braun immersion blender, is the one I currently use. I love that it comes with the wisk attachment (read: homemade marshmallows), and the mini-chopper. This is by far the most used kitchen gadget we have!

Another inexpensive option is the Mueller immersion blender, which has great reviews.

Juicer

Look for juicers made from non-toxic materials such as stainless steel or BPA-free plastic to enjoy fresh, nutritious juices.

The best juicers will utilize cold extraction. There are so many options for every budget.

If you know you’re going all in on the juicing, many love the Omega Juicer.

For budget purposes you can get a centrifugal juicer. These work best for carrots, apples and beets, and less well for leafy greens. This was the first juicer I got when we started GAPS!

My current personal preference was for a juicer with the smallest footprint, so I chose a Hurom Juicer, and a year in, I love it!

Food Processor

Opt for food processors with stainless steel blades and BPA-free parts to process ingredients safely and efficiently. Having a food processor is great for making homemade nut butter and chopping lots of vegetables!

The key for a food processor is having a large enough bowl to make using it worthwhile. I love this 14 cup Cuisinart Food Processor for batch cooking. (For small amounts, I just use the chopper that came with my immersion blender).

Dehydrator

Dehydrator: Select dehydrators made from food-safe, non-toxic materials to preserve fruits, vegetables, and herbs without compromising their nutritional value.

A dehydrator can be useful for making crispy nuts after you soak/sprout them. I don’t have personal experience with dehydrating, but many GAPS friends love their Excalibur Dehydrator.

Utilizing your Non-Toxic Kitchen Gear

The best way to reheat food is in a stainless steel pan with a lid on the stove, or on a stainless steel sheet tray in the oven. Microwaving food can change its nutrient content, so using more traditional methods of reheating can help preserve nutrition better.

By consciously selecting non-toxic kitchen gear, we prioritize our health and contribute to a more sustainable future. From pots and pans to utensils and storage containers, there are numerous non-toxic options available to transform your kitchen into a healthier, eco-friendly space.

Make a positive impact on your well-being and the world around you by embracing non-toxic kitchen gear and enjoying the benefits of a clean, sustainable lifestyle. Start today and empower yourself to create a kitchen that supports your health goals and nourishes your body and soul.

Making the switch to non-toxic cookware and utensils can be a big step in your journey to a healthier lifestyle. With the right information and understanding, you can make better decisions and reduce your overall toxic load.

References:

Yunlong Luo, Christopher T. Gibson, Clarence Chuah, Youhong Tang, Ravi Naidu, Cheng Fang, Raman imaging for the identification of Teflon microplastics and nanoplastics released from non-stick cookware. Science of The Total Environment, Volume 851, Part 2, 2022, 158293, ISSN 0048-9697, https://doi.org/10.101/j.scitotenv.2022.158293.