While your college (or even early 20s) kitchen might have been filled with a hodgepodge of hand-me-downs (i.e. your mom’s old crockpot or your sister’s passed-down Tupperware), once you reach the big 3-0, your cabinets probably shouldn’t look like the picked-over shelves at Goodwill anymore.

Here are 10 items that no one over 30 years old should have in their kitchen.

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Dull Knives

Dull knives are one of the leading causes for kitchen-related injuries, which means your old, unsharpened set should be tossed out ASAP. It also makes the process of cutting, chopping, dicing, and slicing that much harder.

Glass or Marble Cutting Board

While you might think a glass cutting board is sophisticated/elegant/grown-up, the reality is that they’re just impractical and annoying. Users on Reddit agree. “BANG BANG BANG the noise goes right through my brain,” one person complained.

“They really are worthless in every way,” another chimed in. “If you chop on them they dull your knives. If they’re wet they get slippery. If you sit a hot pan on them they can crack. If you drop it trying to wash it it can break. Why do they even make them?”

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Scratched-Up Nonstick Pans

By 30, you must know better than to keep around old scratched-up nonstick pans, or as one Reddit user described them, “busted-ass Teflon frying pans.” For starters, it’s just dangerous. When the coating is damaged or flaking off, it can contaminate your food. This is especially true for cookware that contains PFAs, also known as “forever chemicals,” which hav been linked to cancer.

“‘Scratched up non stick pans’ this made me cringe,” another person commented. “I left a wok-pan-thing at one of my friend’s place and i’ve recently visited. she has been using a metal fork to stir stuff for about a year now. why.”

Plastic Dinnerware

I won’t judge you if you store a few backup plastic plates (for takeout or solo meals), but if you’re past the age of 30, you should not rely on this cheap dinnerware—especially when guests come over. Instead, invest in a cohesive ceramic set that will upgrade your tablescape ten-fold.

A Shot Glass Collection

While you need a shot glass or two for measuring purposes, it’s time to donate your collection from college spring breaks. You don’t need the souvenir to remember your visit to Cancun. That’s what photos are for.

And if you’re buying shot glasses, please let it be something a little more elevated like these much chicer options from West Elm and Crate & Barrel.

Old Mismatched Cups

In the same way that you can’t throw an adult dinner party with cheap plastic dishes, the same goes for mismatched cups. It’s time to retire them.

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Old Takeout Containers for Food Storage

In your early twenties, you probably skipped a trip to The Container Store and used old plastic takeout boxes to store leftovers instead. And while, sure, that might have done the trick for a few years, you should have swapped them out for real Tupperware by 30.

Stained Kitchen Linens

Whether it’s table linens, napkins, or the hand towel slung over your stove, as soon as they’re stained or looking a little raggedy, you should just replace them.

Expired Spices

Expired or old spices aren’t going to be nearly as flavorful, and in turn, will affect your cooking.

Unnecessary Appliances

How often are you really using that Margaritaville frozen drink maker from college or the popcorn machine you thought was such a great idea five years ago? Save yourself the counter space.

Headshot of Megan Schaltegger

Megan Schaltegger is an NYC-based writer. She loves strong coffee, eating her way through the Manhattan food scene, and her dog, Murray. She promises not to talk about herself in third person IRL.


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