Accumulating a personal collection of kitchen tools is time consuming and expensive. Beyond the wacky, trendy unitaskers that social media tells us we need, there's a list of basics that are nearly impossible to cook without. Having a well-stocked kitchen is important—but the work doesn't stop once you buy a product.
Cookware, appliances, and utensils all require some degree of maintenance to keep things in good shape. But eventually, many of them still need to be replaced. It's the last thing we want to do, believe us, but we promise it's important.
Over time, even the highest quality kitchen tools will become less effective. And in many cases, they accumulate years-worth of germs and grime that can be passed on to your food (even if you regularly clean and maintain them). In the spirit of making our kitchens the best they can be, we've rounded up 12 cooking and cleaning tools that should be regularly replaced.
Microplane
A Microplane grater is a versatile tool that can finely grate citrus zest, nutmeg, cheese, and more. But the sharp teeth will become dull over time, especially with regular use. The brand Microplane says that a good rule of thumb for testing the sharpness of your grater is by zesting a lemon. A sharp grater will leave you with dry, fluffy zest. If you end up with a wet and oily paste instead, it’s time to buy a new one.
Silicone Spatulas
Spatulas are a workhorse in the kitchen. Their flexible and soft material makes it easy to get into the crevices of bowls and pans without worrying about scratching any surfaces. But there is a pretty major con: they can take on a lot of smells and stains. Take a good sniff of your oldest spatula, and you’ll probably pick up notes of stale onions. Also, our Culinary Producer Justin Sullivan says the ick factor gets worse if your spatula has a removable wooden handle. If your spatulas are stained, smelly, or damaged, you should buy a new one. And pro tip: get a dedicated spatula for desserts to avoid infusing your sweets with savory flavors.
Nonstick Cookware
Nonstick pots and pans are life savers when it comes to frying eggs, flipping pancakes, and more. But you may not know that they lose their nonstick coating over time. It happens even sooner if the surface is scratched from metal utensils or abrasive sponges. Unlike cast iron or stainless steel cookware, nonstick pans aren’t meant to last forever—so plan on replacing it every year or so depending on how often you use them.
Cutting Boards
Whether you use wood or plastic, cutting boards take on a lot of wear and tear in the kitchen. They take meticulous care to stay properly maintained. But in many households, cutting boards are likely warped, worn, cracked, and full of bacteria. The USDA recommends swapping out your cutting boards once they become excessively worn or develop grooves that are difficult to clean. And if you're replacing them, Sullivan suggests opting for a rubber cutting board instead.
Thermometer
Thermometers are an essential kitchen tool, especially if you regularly cook animal proteins. Digital thermometers are great for detecting internal food temperatures with precision. But, even with top of the line models, that precision eventually wanes. You should regularly recalibrate your thermometer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. But after about a year or two with consistent calibration, thermometers will provide unreliable readings, delayed response time, and even show signs of physical damage. Experts at thermometer brand ChefsTemp recommend replacing your thermometer every one to two years.
Wooden Spoons
A well-loved wooden spoon is one of the most beloved kitchen utensils. However, the porosity of wood makes it especially prone to collecting bacteria and grime. It’s also a fairly delicate material. Prolonged contact with water, like throwing it in the dishwasher or soaking it, will cause your wooden spoon to crack and splinter. You should plan to replace your wooden spoons about every five years, or as soon as you see physical damage.
Vegetable Peelers
Just like knives, microplanes, or any sharp kitchen tool, vegetable peelers eventually lose their sharp edges. And it may seem counterintuitive, but dull blades are more dangerous than sharpened ones (because they require more effort to complete a task and increase the likelihoods of cuts). Also, depending on how you clean and store your peelers, the metal blades can rust over time. Ina Garten told Food & Wine that she suggests replacing your peelers once a year.
Pastry Brushes
A pastry brush is key for applying an egg wash, glazing baked goods, and basting roasts. But the bristles are infamously difficult to clean. There's a solid chance you have layers of old eggs, butter, and sugar inside your brush. If your brush is made with natural fibers, they're more likely to absorb unsavory flavors and smells that can be passed on to your food. On the other hand, even meticulous cleaning will cause your pastry brush to deteriorate. If your brush is stained, smelly, or shedding bristles, it's worth buying a new one.
Dish Towels
We should all start the day with a clean dish towel (instead of reusing the same one for several days or weeks). But even if you are regularly washing your towels, they reach the point of no return after about a year. If your dish towels are stained, covered in lint, torn, or less absorbent than they once were, it’s worth buying a new set.
Sponges
You likely already know that sponges are a cesspool of bacteria. Their absorbent nature traps a variety of bacteria, and the moist environment gives the germs free reign to proliferate. There are certain tips and tricks to extending the lifespan of your sponge—like wringing it out after every use, sanitizing it with boiling water, and storing it in a place with plenty of air circulation—but you still need to replace your dish sponges fairly regularly. The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute recommend swapping your sponges every one to two weeks.
Dish Brushes
Anything that lives in and near your kitchen sink is a prime candidate for bacteria, and that includes dish brushes and straw cleaners. But, thankfully, they do last longer than sponges. When properly cleaned and thoroughly dried between uses, you should be able to hold on to your bristle-based cleaning tools for around two months. The lifespan is even longer for brushes made from silicone (thanks to their antimicrobial properties).
Appliance Filters
Let's be honest: most of us don't replace our appliance filters often enough. Any appliance that holds water, like a purifying pitcher or a coffee maker, uses a filter to remove any debris or unwanted minerals. But your range hoods, refrigerators, and dishwashers also use filters that likely haven't been cleaned or replaced in years. Your best bet is to check the product's manual to determine how often you should replace your filters. But a good rule of thumb is by using your senses. If your appliances aren't working as well as they used to, emit a musty odor, or produce off-tasting foods and drinks, you should probably look into replacing the filters.
