What to look for
- Smooth, well-finished wood that is easy to oil and wash by hand.
- Steel tools that feel solid and have clear measurement marks.
- Boards with enough size and a groove for juices.
What to avoid
- Putting wood in the dishwasher.
- Large utensil sets with many pieces you will not use.
Editor's pick
WMF
Gourmet 18/10 stainless steel kitchen strainer, 24 cm
stainless steel
Why it is on the list: The listing describes a 24 cm strainer of polished Cromargan 18/10 stainless steel with large holes, side handles and a pouring rim.
Watch out for: The large holes let small foods such as rice or fine grains fall through, and it costs noticeably more than basic steel strainers.
Price and stock are shown on Amazon.
Quick comparison
| Product | Material | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gourmet 18/10 stainless steel kitchen strainer, 24 cmWMF | stainless steel | Draining pasta and washing vegetables | The large holes let small foods such as rice or fine grains fall through, and it costs noticeably more than basic steel strainers. |
| Olive wood cooking spoons, set of 2D.O.M. Die Olivenholz Manufaktur | wood | Stirring in non-stick pans | Each piece varies in grain and can show small natural hairline cracks, and it should be washed by hand rather than in the dishwasher. |
| Beech wood cooking spoons, 35 cm, set of 6Balna | wood | Stocking a kitchen with inexpensive wooden spoons | Untreated beech can stain from strongly coloured food and should not soak in water or go in the dishwasher. |
| Beech wood cooking spoons, 30 cm, set of 2Chinchilla | wood | A basic pair of everyday wooden spoons | The listing says they cannot go in the dishwasher and need hand washing and careful drying to last. |
| Bamboo kitchen utensil set: spatula, spoon, ladleWorld Trade | bamboo | A low-cost starter set of bamboo utensils | The listing gives no information on finish or treatment, and the eco wording is the seller's own claim without a certificate. |
| Extra-large bamboo cutting board with juice groovePraknu | bamboo | Large chopping jobs on a plastic-free board | It is heavy for its size and bamboo boards need hand washing and occasional oiling, so they are not dishwasher-safe. |
| Acacia wood cutting and serving board, 36 x 22 cmMoritz & Moritz | wood | Everyday prep and serving cheese or bread | The handle is metal and the board is fairly small and thin, so it suits light prep and serving more than heavy chopping. |
| Bamboo cutting board with hanging hole, 33 x 25 cmWenko | bamboo | A lightweight everyday board for a small kitchen | At 0.8 cm thick it is a light board that is less suited to heavy chopping than thicker boards. |
| 18/8 stainless steel measuring cups and spoons, 13 piecesU-Taste | stainless steel | Baking measurements that will not crack | This is the 13-piece multicolour variant and the listing does not say how the colours are applied, so check that variant if a fully uncoated set matters. |
| Stainless steel pot strainer for pots up to 26 cm4happy | stainless steel | Draining pasta and potatoes at the pot | It is a clip-on draining aid rather than a bowl-style colander, so it cannot hold or rinse a large amount of food. |
| Cork trivet, 25 cm round, 2 cm thickCleverbrand | cork | Protecting a table from hot pots | Cork can mark or crumble with very hot dry pans over time and should not be soaked, so it is a wipe-clean item only. |
| Borosilicate glass mixing bowls with lids, set of 4Arendo | glass | Mixing, baking prep and fridge storage in glass | The lids are food-grade PP plastic and the listing says they are not dishwasher or oven safe, so the set is not entirely plastic-free. |
| 304 stainless steel mixing bowl set with lids, 5 piecesWinzbacher | stainless steel | Food prep and serving in unbreakable bowls | The bowls have a non-slip silicone base, and the listing asks for the lids to be rinsed by hand without naming their material, so the set may not be fully plastic-free. |
Our shortlist
D.O.M. Die Olivenholz Manufaktur
Olive wood cooking spoons, set of 2
woodplastic utensils
Best for: Stirring in non-stick pans
Balna
Beech wood cooking spoons, 35 cm, set of 6
woodplastic utensils
Best for: Stocking a kitchen with inexpensive wooden spoons
Chinchilla
Beech wood cooking spoons, 30 cm, set of 2
woodplastic utensils
Best for: A basic pair of everyday wooden spoons
World Trade
Bamboo kitchen utensil set: spatula, spoon, ladle
bambooplastic utensils
Best for: A low-cost starter set of bamboo utensils
Praknu
Extra-large bamboo cutting board with juice groove
bambooplastic utensils
Best for: Large chopping jobs on a plastic-free board
Moritz & Moritz
Acacia wood cutting and serving board, 36 x 22 cm
woodplastic utensils
Best for: Everyday prep and serving cheese or bread
Wenko
Bamboo cutting board with hanging hole, 33 x 25 cm
bambooplastic utensils
Best for: A lightweight everyday board for a small kitchen
U-Taste
18/8 stainless steel measuring cups and spoons, 13 pieces
stainless steelplastic utensils
Best for: Baking measurements that will not crack
4happy
Stainless steel pot strainer for pots up to 26 cm
stainless steelplastic utensils
Best for: Draining pasta and potatoes at the pot
Cleverbrand
Cork trivet, 25 cm round, 2 cm thick
corkplastic utensils
Best for: Protecting a table from hot pots
Arendo
Borosilicate glass mixing bowls with lids, set of 4
glassplastic containers
Best for: Mixing, baking prep and fridge storage in glass
Winzbacher
304 stainless steel mixing bowl set with lids, 5 pieces
stainless steelplastic containers
Best for: Food prep and serving in unbreakable bowls
We have not physically tested these products. Our shortlist is research-based: we check what the listing says, favour non-plastic main materials and name the limits we can see. Always read the listing for sizes, certifications and care instructions.
Common questions
How do I care for a wooden board?
Wash by hand, dry upright and rub in food-safe oil from time to time.
Is bamboo wood?
Bamboo is a grass but is used like wood. Many bamboo products use glue, so check the listing.