Plastic-Free Living Glossary: Kitchen & Home Terms

This plastic-free living glossary explains common kitchen and cookware terms, PFAS, PTFE, silicone grades, and stainless numbers, so you can shop confidently.

A

Anodized Aluminum: Aluminum with a hardened surface from an electrochemical process. Hard-anodized is thicker/more durable. Not the same as a nonstick coating. See also: Ceramic-Coated, PTFE.

B

Borosilicate Glass: Glass that handles temperature changes better (thermal shock). Good for hot/acidic foods. See also: Thermal Shock, Soda-lime Glass.

BPA / BPS: Additives used in some plastics that can act as endocrine disruptors. “BPA-free” products may still use other substitutes like BPS. See also: Polycarbonate, Tritan.

C

Ceramic (True Ceramic): Clay-based material fired at high temperature. Not the same as ceramic-coated metal. Generally safe when glazes are properly formulated and lead-safe. See also: Ceramic-Coated.

Ceramic-Coated (Sol-Gel): A nonstick “ceramic” layer applied to metal (often aluminum). Durability and safety depend on brand, heat, and care. See also: PTFE, True Ceramic.

Cast Iron (Bare): Iron cookware that needs seasoning. Durable and naturally nonstick when seasoned; can react with very acidic foods. See also: Carbon Steel, Enamel.

E

Enamel / Enameled Steel or Cast Iron: A glass-like coating fused to metal. Non-reactive, easy to clean; can chip if dropped or shocked. See also: Cast Iron.

F

Food-Grade Silicone: Flexible, heat-tolerant silicone made for food contact. Quality varies; the LFGB standard is stricter than the basic FDA standard. See also: LFGB Silicone, Platinum-Cured.

L

Leaching: When chemicals migrate from materials into food/drink. Heat, acidity, and time increase the risk. See also: Migration, Dishwasher-Safe.

LFGB Silicone: German food-contact standard with tighter migration limits than general FDA rules. Often a quality signal. See also: Food-Grade Silicone.

M

Melamine: A Resin used in some plates/bowls. Avoid high heat and very acidic foods; they can migrate under misuse. See also: Dishwasher-Safe.

Microplastics / Nanoplastics: Tiny plastic particles found in air, water, and food (micro <5mm; nano is far smaller). Sources include packaging, wear/tear, and textiles.

N

Nonstick (PTFE): Classic slick nonstick (e.g., Teflon®). Great release, but it can degrade if overheated or scratched. See also: PTFE, PFOA.

P

PFAS (Forever Chemicals): A large family of fluorinated compounds (includes PTFE, PFOA, PFOS). Persistent in the environment. “PFAS-free” claims vary—check details. See also: PTFE.

PFOA / PFOS: Older PFAS chemicals used historically; largely phased out but may appear in legacy supply chains. See also: PFAS.

PLA / PBAT (Plant-Based Plastics): Bioplastics are often marketed as compostable. Many require industrial composting and behave like plastics in daily use.

Platinum-Cured Silicone: A curing method that can reduce residues/odors compared with peroxide-cured silicone. Still depends on the overall product quality. See also: Food-Grade Silicone.

S

Stainless 18/8 (Type 304): About 18% chromium, 8% nickel. Common food-grade stainless steel for bottles, lunchware, and cookware. See also: 18/10, 316.

Stainless 18/10: Similar to 18/8 with a bit more nickel; bright polish, comparable safety. See also: 304, 316.

Stainless 316 (Marine Grade): Adds molybdenum for extra corrosion resistance (great for salty/acidic environments, baby bottles). See also: 304.

Stainless vs Coated Steel: Bare stainless is generally inert; coated steel relies on the coating (enamel or nonstick). See also: Enamel, PTFE, Ceramic-Coated.

T

Tritan™ (Copolyester): Clear, BPA-free plastic. Still plastic. Avoid high heat when possible. See also: Polycarbonate, BPA.

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