Why You Should Think Twice Before Buying Kitchen Supplies At The Dollar Store
Dollar stores are like candy shops for adults when it comes to cheap kitchen supplies, and when pursuing the aisle, there seems to be everything you could ever need to make tasty meals at home. Statista reports that there are 5,000 more dollar stores today than in 2017, with more than 35,000 locations nationwide. And, with dollar stores earning over a billion dollars in revenue in 2022, it is clear that consumers are taking advantage of their cheap prices.
Although well-known stores such as Family Dollars, Dollar Trees, and Dollar Generals have many affordable options to assist with your at-home cooking, you should think twice before throwing these items in your cart and heading to the checkout lane. Many of the things we use in our kitchens can be dangerous if they are defective. While these items aren't as costly as others, it is often true they are not as dependable either. Here are the top kitchen supplies to avoid buying at the dollar store for safer cooking.
Knives
Knife sets can be one of the more expensive kitchen utensils, depending on where you shop and what you are looking for. It is very tempting to go for a cheaper option and buy knives from the dollar store, but this should be avoided. Given the highly reduced cost of dollar-store knives, you can expect to find plastic handles and wobbly and blunt blades. Those features in a knife can create a dangerous experience, as knives should cut easily through objects, not be a struggle. When using a dull blade, you will likely need to exert more pressure, which can commonly result in forceful slippage that can lead to injury.
Go Banking Rates advises against other kitchen items that feature blades, such as vegetable peelers, graters, slicers, and pizza cutters. Not only can these items be dangerous due to their inability to perform, but they are also wasteful. Typically made with plastic and metal, these items break easily, and often get tossed into the trash.
Anything that conducts heat
Burning yourself is one of the top cooking-related injuries. It is crucial to use high-quality kitchen equipment when dealing with such high temperatures, which dollar stores are unlikely to provide. Go Banking Rates notes that items such as dollar store baking sheets conduct heat poorly and will lead to uneven cooking. In addition, you should avoid buying oven mitts and pot holders at dollar stores because they are often made with thinner material that won't adequately protect you from hot cookware.
Similarly, you should also be aware that low-priced non-stick pans could expose you to harmful chemicals. In a study by Greenwire in 2022, 226 dollar store items from Dollar Trees, Dollar Generals, Family Dollars, and Five Below were tested for toxic chemicals. Among the things that tested positive was non-stick bakeware. Instead, consider investing in cast iron pans, stainless steel, and natural greasers like avocado and olive oil, or research non-stick pans that do not include PFAs.