The Safest Kitchen Appliances for Your Family

Some kitchen appliances are safer than others.

From toxins to fires, it pays to do a little bit of research before filling your kitchen with appliances that might be harmful or dangerous.

Let’s cover a few kitchen appliances that are safe, which ones you might want to avoid, and tips for keeping your kitchen risk-free.

Top Safety Concerns

When it comes to kitchen appliances and safety, fire is the biggest concern.

Cooking is only one common way for fires to be started in the kitchen. These days, kitchen appliances are getting more complicated than ever. Electronic components make them more functional and convenient, but they can also cause more fires.

In the years leading up to 2012, Consumer Reports claims that millions of units were recalled due to thousands of fires. Despite this, manufacturers claim that their appliances are still safe. Even products such as dishwashers, which aren’t considered to be dangerous by many, can cause kitchen fires.

Other concerns include contamination and toxins, such as those found in plastic, Teflon, and cleaning products. When these materials are used incorrectly, the materials can be very harmful to your health. Plastic in the microwave, for example, can melt and be extremely toxic.

Electromagnetic fields, which are emitted by microwaves and any appliance that uses electricity, are also a concern for some homeowners.

Which Appliances are the Safest?

Some appliances are safer than others.

As mentioned, the more electronic components an appliance has, the more dangerous it can be. Also, appliances with heating elements, such as toasters or coffee makers, can become dangerous when left on.

In general, the safest appliances are those that contain fewer electronic elements and fewer exposed heating elements.

If you are concerned about staying safe in your kitchen, consider these appliances:

• Ranges – An induction cooktop heats stovetop items with a magnetic field that causes the pan or pot itself to warm up, not the surface of the stove. This means there are no exposed coils or open flames, which can be a major source of fires and injuries. As an added benefit, most induction stovetops have flat surfaces, are easy to clean, and can be programmed, further reducing risk from negligence or forgetfulness.
• Ovens – If you can, buy an oven with a side-swing door. These are more easily accessed than the standard oven doors, which require you to bend over the hot oven door when cooking.
• Toasters – Toasters have exposed heating elements, which can become a hazard. The safest ones are those that don’t have internal fans. There is no evidence to suggest that this convection technology improves the toasting process, and the extra mechanical elements only increase the likelihood that a toaster may break. If possible, buy toasters that allow you to pull trays out from the inside, since crumbs can catch fire. Always buy toasters that have an automatic shutoff element, so the toaster will turn itself off if it gets too hot.
• Dishwashers – As with every new kitchen appliance, check the company history and look for recalls. If the company has had recalls in the past, consider a different brand. Some people may also be concerned about the plastic that dishwashers are made from. In most cases, they are built with reinforced polypropylene, which is deemed safe, and doesn’t include toxic materials such as BPA, BPS, or other potentially harmful additives. Your safest bet is to buy dishwashers that incorporate stainless steel elements without PVC coated wire racks.
• Refrigerators – One concern with refrigerators is that they may not be keeping food cold enough. Some newer refrigerators have thermometers included inside, which can be a big help in determining your food temperature. When considering safe refrigerators, think about the entire family: easy-access freezers, such as bottom-mounted freezers or side-by-side freezer-fridge units, can pose a risk for young children.

Safety Tips

Keeping your kitchen safe isn’t just about buying safe appliances. No matter how highly rated your appliances are, they can still pose safety risks to you and your family.

Here are tips and steps you can take to keep your kitchen appliances safe:

Fires

Fires are by far the biggest safety concern, so you should be extra careful with all of your kitchen appliances. Follow these tips to fireproof your kitchen as much as possible:

• Unplug appliances with heating elements when they aren’t being used. Toasters, some coffee makers, countertop convection ovens, and other appliances should be unplugged. It’s easy to forget about these appliances when you aren’t using them, and their heating elements can pose a danger when left alone.
• Keep stoves, oven hoods, and vents clean. Grease fires are another common source of fire. While safe ovens such as induction ovens can reduce risk, they can’t remove it entirely. Oven hoods, for instance, can catch grease and pose a threat if left unchecked.
• Inspect power cords. While the electronic elements of any appliance can cause problems, so can power cords. From time to time, inspect your power cords for frays and tears, especially if they are close to flammable elements such as carpets or cloth.
• Cook safely. Set a kid-free zone around your oven and stove of at least a few feet. Use backburners if possible, and never leave your kitchen unattended while you’re cooking.

Food

Since food poisoning can be a concern for refrigerators that aren’t working properly, you should take a few steps to ensure that your fridge is as safe as possible:

• Keep a thermometer inside your refrigerator. Though some fridges have thermometers, many don’t. Simply place a thermometer on a rack in your fridge to monitor your fridge temperature and make sure it’s appropriate.
• Remember that refrigerator doors are the warmest part of the refrigerator. Store meat, dairy, and other spoilable food away from the fridge doors. Also, if possible, keep vegetables inside airtight containers and always use the humidors down below.
• Clean out your freezer. Avoid potential damage from frost and ice build-up by keeping your freezer clean. Every few months or so, clear out the food and let the ice melt. Don’t use tools to clear out caked ice, since breaking internal elements can be a risk.

Dishes

In general, plastic is the least safe material. Handle it with care and use some of these safety tips to keep your kitchen non-toxic:

• Don’t put plastic or metal in the microwave. Even plastic that claims to be microwave-safe should be replaced with ceramic or glass whenever possible.
• Don’t put glue or cast iron into the dishwasher. If you’re really safety-conscious, also avoid putting plastic in the dishwasher. Glue will melt, and cast iron will rust, so avoid putting these inside dishwashers.
• Keep your kitchen kid-friendly and kid-safe. When your children are young, keep certain appliances, such as toasters and microwaves, well out of reach. As mentioned, implement a kid-free zone around your cooking area and don’t let them near stoves or other hot appliances.