Oxo Good Grips · Non-Stick Kitchen Gadgets
OXO 3-Piece Starter Kitchen Tool Set
Kitchen tools with no nonstick coating. Lower PFAS concern.
OXO starter tool set uses stainless steel and silicone, no nonstick coating. Brand silent on PFAS, but bare metal and rubber materials carry lower inherent risk than Teflon-family coating coatings.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Stainless steel, silicone, nylon handles
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Marketed non-stick without stating the coating chemistry.
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This set uses 18/8 or 18/10 stainless steel (chromium-nickel alloy), which is chemically inert and does not leach metals into food under normal use. The handles combine food-grade silicone and nylon, both low-reactivity polymers that do not off-gas volatile organic compounds at typical kitchen temperatures. The absence of ceramic enamel glazes, aluminum cores, or nonstick Teflon-family coating coatings eliminates the main leaching and degradation risks common in cookware.
The brand's record and disclosure
OXO Good Grips has a longstanding reputation for ergonomic kitchen tools and does not market these products with health claims that would trigger scrutiny. The brand does not publicly disclose detailed material sourcing or safety certifications for this particular set, which is typical for basic stainless steel tool manufacturers. No product recalls, contamination incidents, or regulatory actions against OXO kitchen tools are on record for chemical hazards.
How it compares in its category
Uncoated stainless steel tools represent a lower-risk baseline compared to nonstick cookware (which may contain Teflon-type coating or PFOA residues) or enameled cast iron (which carries lead or cadmium risk in older imports). This starter set trades the heat retention of cast iron or ceramic for chemical simplicity and ease of cleaning. Silicone handle covers are standard across mid-market brands and carry minimal hazard if food-grade certified, which OXO products typically are.
If you buy it
Hand-wash silicone-handled tools to avoid prolonged exposure to heat from dishwashers, which can degrade silicone over decades of use. Stainless steel is durable and does not require seasoning or protective coatings, but inspect handles annually for cracks or peeling that would signal replacement. Do not expose handles to open flame or temperatures above 400F (silicone softens around 450F). These tools are suitable for all cooking methods including acidic foods.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Silicone handle degradation over extended life
Silicone handles may crack or peel after 5-10 years of heavy dishwasher use or prolonged heat exposure, though this is cosmetic rather than a chemical safety issue. No migration of silicone oligomers into food is documented at normal use temperatures.
Nickel leaching from stainless steel
18/8 and 18/10 stainless steel contain nickel as an alloying element. For individuals with nickel sensitization, prolonged contact with acidic foods in steel cookware can theoretically contribute to dermal exposure, though dietary ingestion from tools is considered negligible.
Lead or cadmium in import metal components
No recalls or safety violations on record for OXO stainless steel kitchen tools. Stainless steel does not intentionally contain lead or cadmium, and FDA food-contact standards prohibit them in cookware. OXO tools meet standard import scrutiny.
Nylon handle material integrity
Food-grade nylon used in OXO handles does not release BPA or phthalates under normal kitchen conditions. Nylon is stable below 200C and is not known to off-gas or leach at typical cooking temperatures.
Coating failure or degradation
This set contains no protective coatings on the steel itself, eliminating the risk of peeling enamels or worn nonstick surfaces. Bare stainless steel does not degrade in ways that introduce chemical hazards.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Non-Stick Kitchen Gadgets
Le Creuset
Signature Silicone Spatula Spoon
silicone (no nonstick coating)
Lower PFAS concern; silicone spatula carries minimal risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Le Creuset
Revolution Balloon Whisk
Stainless steel wire
Lower concern. Bare stainless steel whisk, no coating or nonstick surface.
⚠Risky category by default
Oxo Good Grips
3-Piece Silicone Utensil Set
Silicone utensil heads, thermoplastic handle
Lower concern. Silicone utensils carry minimal PFAS risk inherently.
⚠Risky category by default
More non-stick kitchen gadgets grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.