Note: This page does NOT contain affiliate links at this time, these are items I actually use in my kitchen.

Remembering why I started this blog in the first place (basically a user manual for my husband and sons should anything happen to me), I decided it would be a good idea to write down what is in my kitchen, and why. As a bonus, now I will have a direct link to buy anything that needs replacing. 😉 I will try to keep this list updated as my kitchen changes in the future!

A Little Note About The Cookware

I mainly cook with stainless steel. I know some people say Teflon coated cookware is completely safe, but I disagree. When I started having health problems, I looked into anything and everything (food and environmental) that could be hindering my health and decided to be as cautious as I could. Besides, one little scratch on a Teflon pan and its ruined. I don’t use any plastic cooking utensils, and prefer stainless steel over bamboo because I can’t put bamboo in the dishwasher. So scratches would be inevitable for me. Stainless steel was a more durable choice for me anyway. Plus, I can put stainless steel pots/pans in the dishwasher too! 😛
I was able to make the switch fairly easily from nonstick to stainless steel, but there was a big learning curve when it came to cooking eggs. There were many YouTube videos and many tears (and ruined eggs) during that short time in my life. But for my family’s health, I would do it 100 times over.

Why I Don’t Use Cast Iron

Although I don’t use cast iron personally, I do think it is a healthy choice, depending on the oils used to season it. I wan’t absolutely nothing to do with vegetable oil (corn/soy/canola etc.), so seasoning it with those would be out of the question for me. Tallow, avocado or coconut oil would be healthier alternatives. The main reason I don’t use cast iron in my kitchen is because I have grown accustomed to my dishwasher. 😀 Basically, if I can’t put it in my dishwasher, I don’t want it. There are a select few items that I keep that are not dishwasher safe.

Here are the pots and pans that I use everyday and LOVE

• Cuisinart set: My husband got me the Cuisinart 77-11G Chef’s Classic Stainless 11-Piece Cookware Set for Christmas in 2014 when I decided I didn’t want to use non-stick cookware anymore. It has served us well since!
• Large skillet and large saute pan: I like to cook double dinners so we can have leftovers for lunch the next day. For a family of 4, that ends up being 8 servings, sometimes a little more. I came from (and learned to cook for) a family of 6, so I was used to making large meals and I was used to having the large pots and pans necessary for it. We purchased the Cuisinart 722-36H Chef’s Classic Stainless 14-Inch Open Skillet with Helper Handle and the Cuisinart 733-30H Chef’s Classic Stainless 5-1/2-Quart Saute Pan with Helper Handle and Cover to accommodate for this.
• Large stir-fry pan (wok): Stir fry is simple and a regular meal at our house. Having a large Wok makes cooking a double dinner (for leftovers) even easier! We have the Cuisinart 726-38H Chef’s Classic Stainless 14-Inch Stir-Fry Pan with Helper Handle and Glass Cover. I don’t use the lid for the Wok very often, but it’s the same size as my large 14 inch Skillet, so it still gets used!
• Enameled cast iron dutch oven: I received this as a gift and I couldn’t find a link for the specific brand I have, but the most comparable would be this one . I don’t use this one often because I prefer using things I can put in the dishwasher, plus I would have to use bamboo utensils as not to scratch the enamel, which also cannot go in the dishwasher. It does bake a perfect artisan sourdough bread though, so I keep it around. 😉

Bakeware

This category took me a couple years to replace. I stopped using Teflon coated baking pans as soon as I learned the dangers and started using glass casserole dishes and pizza stones (which I already had) for all of my baking needs. I didn’t make cupcakes for a couple years until I finally purchased stainless steel muffin pans!

• Glass bakeware: I use the dishes from this Pyrex Easy Grab Glass Bakeware Set set for most of my casseroles, cakes and loafs. I have quite a few of these dishes in assorted sizes which makes it easier to live without one or two if I have them in the freezer. Depending on what size cake or casserole I’m making, I use smaller ‘food storage’ sized containers like these. This makes it easy to make a casserole (or cake) and freeze it for another day. I like to make double meals and freeze one for a day when we need ‘fast food’.
• Bacon pan: Yes, I have a pan that I only use for bacon! It all started with a visit to my in-laws house. They made the best bacon in the oven! They knew we didn’t use Teflon coated pans or aluminum foil (which is what most people line a baking pan with) so they bought a Stainless Steel Sheet Pan 15.5 x 11.5 inch Cooling Rack & Silicone Baking Mat Set. Since my whole family loved the bacon so much, they gifted us a pan just like it! Now when we enjoy some crispy oven bacon, the boys can think of their Bapa and Nana and all the fun that goes with a visit to their house! ?
• Cookie sheets: I got rid of all my Teflon coated bakeware at the same time I did away with Teflon coated pots and pans. I just didn’t replace them right away. I used a pizza stone to bake cookies on and glass Pyrex dishes to roast veggies in. To me, a cookie sheet wasn’t a necessity, so it wasn’t high up on the list of things to replace. Finally though, after about 4 years, I decided I’d like to have a set of stainless steel (dishwasher safe) cookie sheets. We purchased TeamFar Baking Sheet with Rack Set, Stainless Steel Cookie Sheet Baking Pans with Cooling Rack, Non Toxic & Healthy, Rust Free & Heavy Duty, Mirror Finish & Easy Clean, Dishwasher Safe – 6 Pieces, which I LOVE!
• Roasting pan: I found the KONCIS roasting pan from IKEA a while back. It has held up nicely over the years.

Cooking Utensils

• Stainless steel cooking utensils: I use stainless steel almost exclusively. I found this set from IKEA, which has been a great buy so far! I actually bought another set to keep with our camping equipment. I’ve also received a few as gifts from family.
• Bamboo: I received a bamboo set as a gift. I do not use bamboo very often because I know the dishwasher will ruin it over time. I save bamboo for when I’m working with ferments, or if I’m using an enameled cast iron pan and don’t want the stainless steel utensils to scratch the enamel.

Food storage containers

I never store any food in plastic containers. Actually, I don’t even own plastic containers anymore! I have 2 drawers in my kitchen dedicated to glass food storage containers. I like to keep extras so I can freeze unused leftovers in them.

• Pyrex Ultimate: These are my favorite because not even the lids are plastic! I purchased most of mine in a local grocery store. I actually purchased a few of the glass lids to replace any of the plastic ones I already had. I’m still on the lookout for a couple more sizes to complete my set.
• Two Compartment glass dishes: I have a few of these sets. Works out great when I pack a lunch for my hubby, or when I need I need to freeze a single serving meal. My own version of a TV Dinner, I guess. 😉 They are airtight too, so one side can have soup and it wouldn’t spill to the other compartment!

Appliances and Gadgets

• Oster Blender: Ok, so I used to have a Ninja blender that came with a food processor, single serve blender cup, dough mixer and a large blender but I decided to do away with it within the past year. I do miss the capabilities of a high powered blender when it comes to pureeing things with the least amount of liquid added, but alas, I needed the kitchen storage space and decided to downsize. I don’t regret it, but I also didn’t have a huge need for all the extras that came with the ninja. The Oster Blender is completely dishwasher safe and easier to clean, in my opinion. Plus it’s made of glass which I prefer over plastic.
• Hamilton Beach Immersion/Hand Blender: I bought this one when I still had the Ninja blender so I wouldn’t have to put hot soups in the plastic blender to puree. The immersion blender is also how I make Mayonnaise and whipped cream!
• KitchenAid Stand Mixer: This was a wedding gift that has help up nicely for almost a decade so far! If it ever breaks, I WILL buy a new one. 😀
• Ice Cream Maker: Although I would LOVE an ice cream maker with a stainless steel bowl, I couldn’t justify the cost. So I opted for the cuisinart which has a Teflon coated aluminum bowl. I’m careful NOT to use any metal utensils on this so I don’t scratch the coating. Maybe one day I’ll spring for a pricier stainless steel one.
• Instant Pot: I have the 6 quart instant pot and I LOVE it!! I have a few Instant Pot recipes on the blog already and I’m sure I’ll be adding more in the future! A few of my favorites are Bone Broth, Roast, and Tallow. I have a feeling I’ll be needing the 8 quart Instant Pot soon as my boys grow.
• Juicer: I have a Jack Lallanne Power Juicer that I very rarely use. I couldn’t find a link for the specific one I have, but here is the closest model.
• Breville Convection Air Fryer and Smart Oven: Ok, so this one is a newer addition. Hubby bought it for an early 2019 Mother’s Day gift and has been reaping the benefits since! 😀 I like it for air frying (obviously, lol), baking or reheating foods, and it even has a ‘proofing’ function for when I make bread during the cooler months! It also replaced my old dehydrator 😉 Out with the old, in with the new, right?

Odds and Ends

• Kid Plates: Nope, they aren’t magical colors and they don’t have any characters on them. Remember, we avoid plastic as much as possible. That’s why I LOVE these sectioned plates for my kiddos! I even use them myself when I don’t want my food touching. 😉 We bought these 3 years ago when our youngest turned 1. We are missing 1 plate though. If I remember correctly, I dropped something on the plate and broke it. Whoops!
• Colander and Mixing bowls: I have no idea where these were purchased, so I don’t have a link for them. Both are stainless steel though.
• Straws: We don’t use straws too often, but when we do it’s these stainless steel straws for the kiddos and Momma gets these glass straws. I do understand the dangers of these straws, and that’s why we have a strict rule of SITTING while drinking from them. We’ve been using these for at least 3 years without issue. By all means, if you don’t think it’s safe, don’t use them. 😉

Do you have some of the same things? What are your favorite things in your kitchen?