Replace These Old Kitchen Tools for Under $22

Mar 30, 2025

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You deserve an upgrade.

Food & Wine / Amazon

Spring cleaning doesn’t only mean cleaning — it’s also a great time to assess the old kitchen items you’ve been using and make some necessary updates. We all know the feeling of looking at a skillet, cutting board, or spatula — not to mention your black plastic utensils — and thinking, “Dang, I need to replace that thing sometime.” Maybe you just never got around to it. Well, take this opportunity to head into the warmer months (and years to come) by giving your kitchen some much-needed TLC. We’ll help — we looked at our own kitchens, zeroed in on the items that most needed replacing, and used it to guide this list. Below are some ways to freshen up your kitchen for future cooking adventures for $22 or less.

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Do you have an ancient cast iron skillet in your home that looks like it could be from the 19th century? Don’t worry; many of us do — and if you haven’t taken excellent care of it, it might be discolored, rusty, scratched, or even chipped. Our favorite cast iron skillet is currently half off at Amazon, clocking in at just $17, so now’s the ideal time to start fresh.

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Are you using scissors in your kitchen that could be a remnant from a childhood art project? Beyond the fact that you want something stainless steel (it’s easier to clean and keep sanitary), these No. 1 bestselling kitchen shears will be great for everything from cleaning fish and cutting protein to more delicate tasks like trimming herbs.

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It’s easy to let cutting boards live way too long, accumulating a ton of scratches, stains, and even split wood. (Plus, plastic cutting boards might be on the way out, anyway.) Head into spring with the bamboo cutting board that over 6,000 shoppers picked up in the past month. Shoppers say this “has held up to mistreatment” and that it’s easy to wash, leaving no stains or splintering, even without being seasoned with oil, making it a terrific, low-maintenance choice.

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Using an old, plastic spatula, or one marred from years (or decades) of use prying food off fiery grills and scorching hot pans? This phenomenal option with over 5,500 perfect ratings at Amazon is fantastic for “flipping, stir frying, or sautéing,” said one shopper, who added that they used it for nearly every meal. Between its durable build, slots for airflow, and sharp edge, this could replace a number of tools you’re looking to get rid of.

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There’s nothing more annoying than a pair of kitchen tongs whose springs stop working. Grab a two-pack of springy, new metal tongs with nonslip grips and upgrade everything from your grill to your salads. These tongs are only $4 apiece now, and the set has over 15,000 five-star ratings.

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Pans get scratched and discolored over the years, especially if you don’t take pristine care of them. We all have a pan or two that we’ve been using way too long, so use this opportunity to pick up the nonstick frying pan that testing editors said made “easy work of daily tasks,” from reheating spaghetti to cooking eggs. The 8-inch version is only $22.

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It’s time to stop using plastic wrap, foil, or the same grungy, old food storage containers you’ve used forever. These are microwave-, dishwasher-, oven-, and freezer-safe and leakproof, so you can store virtually anything inside.