Never Buy These Specific Kitchen Items at Secondhand Stores

• Buying secondhand items can save money but can also be a health safety risk for certain items
• Certain secondhand items can contain bacteria, toxins or even faulty parts
• Items such as ceramics, cast iron and more should be avoided when shopping at thrift stores

Never Buy These Specific Kitchen Items at Secondhand Stores

Saving a buck is a good thing.  And anytime you can take advantage of those savings you should.

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But don't compromise your health for those savings by buying certain kitchen items that have already seen some love and use.

Certain Items Could Contain Some Really Bad Stuff, No Matter How Clean it Looks

Don't get me wrong, there are items at your local thrift store that are perfectly suited to buy.  But there are also certain items that you should avoid, regardless of the price or how good of shape that item seems to be in.

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Secondhand kitchen items are at the top of the list of things to avoid when shopping for a great deal at your thrift shop or secondhand store.  They could lead to safety risks like harmful chemicals or even toxins.

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Try to Avoid These 6 Items When Shopping at a Secondhand Store

When trying to find those bargains, there are 6 items that you should avoid when saving a buck on kitchen gadgets or items.

1. Wooden Items - Spoons, spatulas or cutting boards can harbor mold or bacteria
2. Vintage Ceramics - Depending on the age, these items could contain and leach lead particles into food or liquid
3. Non-stick Pans - Toxic chemicals can be released into food being cooked with a scratched Teflon pan
4. Old Appliances - Potential damage or even fire risk.  Some may be hard to repair or difficult to find parts for them
5. Damaged Cast Iron - Improper care or rust can make them unsafe for food and may be hazardous to use
6. Plastic Containers - Plastics that were manufactured pre-2010 could contain harmful chemicals like BPA

Which items do you avoid when trying to find a bargain at our local thrift or secondhand stores?  Let us know via our appchat feature or you can email us your thoughts here.