Our Top Picks for Long Lasting Kitchenware:
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KitchenAid Professional Mixer - our editor has had this mixer for over 20 years and it works like the day it was bought. These mixers are well-made with easy part replacement if something stops working.
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Wusthoff Chef’s Knives - When it comes to knives, it's best to pay more upfront on something that will last decades than spend $50 or less on a knife that will last a few years. Wusthoff is well-known for the quality of their products. Tip: Buy a knife sharpener or take your knives to a local cooking shop that offers knife-sharpening services.
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Boos Block Cutting Boards - John Boos, founded in 1887, is one of America's oldest butcher block manufacturers. Their wood is top-tier and, with proper care, won't split or otherwise lose its function.
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Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls - There's a reason why chefs prefer this material for mixing bowls. It is good at handling various temperatures without the worry of leeching harmful chemicals into food. Stainless steel mixing bowls are durable and last for decades.
Stainless Steel
From bowls to utensils to cookware, stainless steel is food-safe and not known to have any effects on human health. Make sure your stainless steel is nickel-free, however, as some stainless steel products contain nickel, which is not food-safe. You can easily determine this using “the magnet test.” If a magnet sticks to your product, it is food-safe stainless steel. If not, it’s time to replace it.
Cast Iron
While heavy, cast iron is a timeless material. If kept in good shape with occasional seasoning, cast iron cookware can truly last a lifetime. In addition to cast iron skillets, you can buy cast iron griddles, bakeware, and serveware.
Non-stick
Teflon, or any nonstick coating (including ceramic, the latest trend in non-stick cookware) are harmful to human health. The nonstick coating eventually leeches into your food and is easily ingested. Our advice is to steer clear of anything with non-stick coating in accordance with scientific data indicating it as a health hazard.
Plastic
We are calling out all plastic in the kitchen here, but if we had to choose one plastic item to advise against using, it is plastic cutting boards. You are likely scraping tiny plastic pieces into all the food you are prepping. Microplastics are more common than ever and hazardous to human health. Always go for wooden cutting boards.
it's best to pay more upfront on something that will last decades than spend $50 or less on something that will last a few years.