diff --git a/recipes.py b/recipes.py
index ebaa963..37ef45f 100644
--- a/recipes.py
+++ b/recipes.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from abc import abstractmethod
 from collections import defaultdict
 import collections
 import sys
-from typing import Dict, List, Any, Optional, Set
+from typing import Dict, List, Any, Optional, Self, Set
 import os
 import json
 
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class Context:
     def __init__(self) -> None:
         self.settings = Settings()
         self.units: AUnits = FakeUnits(self)
-        self.default_unit = Unit(self, {"name": "piece"})
+        self.default_unit = Unit(self, "piece", [], [])
         self.ingredients: AIngredients = FakeIngredients(self)
         self.issues = Issues()
 
@@ -87,68 +87,76 @@ class Settings:
 
 
 class Element:
-    def __init__(self, ctx: Context, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, ctx: Context) -> None:
         self.ctx = ctx
-        self.dct = dct
-        self.load(dct)
-        for elem in self.dct.values():
-            if isinstance(elem, dict):
-                raise RuntimeError("Something wasn't processed properly")
 
-    def __contains__(self, item: Any) -> bool:
-        return item in self.dct
-
-    def __getitem__(self, key: str) -> Any:
-        return self.dct[key]
-
-    def __setitem__(self, key: str, val: Any) -> None:
-        self.dct[key] = val
-
-    def __repr__(self) -> str:
-        return self.dct.__repr__()
-
-    @abstractmethod
-    def load(self, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> None:
-        ...
+    @classmethod
+    def from_dict(cls, ctx: Context, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> Self:
+        return cls(ctx)
 
 
 class Conversion(Element):
-    def load(self, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> None:
-        fromunit = self.ctx.units.get(dct["from"])
+    def __init__(
+        self, ctx: Context, fromunit: "Unit", tounit: "Unit", ratio: float
+    ) -> None:
+        super().__init__(ctx)
+        self.fromunit = fromunit
+        self.tounit = tounit
+        self.ratio = ratio
+
+    @classmethod
+    def from_dict(cls, ctx: Context, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> Self:
+        fromunit = ctx.units.get(dct["from"])
         if fromunit is None:
             raise RuntimeError(f"unit {dct['from']} doesn't exist")
-        self["from"] = fromunit
 
-        tounit = self.ctx.units.get(dct["to"])
+        tounit = ctx.units.get(dct["to"])
         if tounit is None:
             raise RuntimeError(f"unit {dct['to']} doesn't exist")
-        self["to"] = tounit
+        return cls(ctx, fromunit, tounit, dct["ratio"])
 
 
 class Unit(Element):
-    def load(self, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> None:
-        oldunits = self.ctx.units.units[:]
-        self.ctx.units.units.append(self)
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        ctx: Context,
+        name: str,
+        conversions: List[Conversion],
+        aliases: List[str],
+        dct: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        super().__init__(ctx)
+        self.name = name
+        self.conversions = conversions
+        self.aliases = aliases
+        self.dct = dct
 
+    @classmethod
+    def from_dict(cls, ctx: Context, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> Self:
+        # conversions are an empty list which is populated in finish_load
+        # which should be ran when all units are registered
         aliases: List[str] = []
         if "aliases" in dct:
-            for alias in dct["aliases"]:
-                aliases.append(alias)
-        self["aliases"] = aliases
-        self.ctx.units.units = oldunits
+            aliases = dct["aliases"]
+
+        return cls(ctx, name=dct["name"], conversions=[], aliases=aliases, dct=dct)
 
     def finish_load(self) -> None:
-        conversions: List[Conversion] = []
-        if "conversions" in self.dct:
-            for convdct in self.dct["conversions"]:
-                if "from" in self.dct["conversions"]:
-                    raise RuntimeError(
-                        "conversions in units.yaml cannot have a from field, it is automatically assigned from the unit name"
-                    )
-                convdct["from"] = self["name"]
-                conversion = Conversion(self.ctx, convdct)
-                conversions.append(conversion)
-        self["conversions"] = conversions
+        if self.dct is None:
+            return
+        if "conversions" not in self.dct:
+            return
+        conversions = []
+        for conv in self.dct["conversions"]:
+            if "from" in conv:
+                raise RuntimeError(
+                    "conversions in units.yaml cannot have a from field, it is automatically assigned from the unit name"
+                )
+            conv["from"] = self.dct["name"]
+            conv = Conversion.from_dict(self.ctx, conv)
+            conversions.append(conv)
+
+        self.conversions = conversions
 
 
 class AUnits:
@@ -170,9 +178,9 @@ class AUnits:
 class FakeUnits(AUnits):
     def get(self, name: str) -> Optional[Unit]:
         for unit in self.units:
-            if unit["name"] == name:
+            if unit.name == name:
                 return unit
-        unit = Unit(self.ctx, {"name": name})
+        unit = Unit(self.ctx, name, [], [])
         self.units.append(unit)
         return unit
 
@@ -180,21 +188,21 @@ class FakeUnits(AUnits):
 class Units(AUnits):
     def load(self, lst: List[Any]) -> None:
         for unitdct in lst:
-            unit = Unit(self.ctx, unitdct)
+            unit = Unit.from_dict(self.ctx, unitdct)
             self.units.append(unit)
         for unit in self.units:
             unit.finish_load()
 
     def get(self, name: str) -> Optional[Unit]:
         for unit in self.units:
-            if unit["name"] == name or "aliases" in unit and name in unit["aliases"]:
+            if unit.name == name or name in unit.aliases:
                 return unit
         return None
 
     def validate(self) -> None:
         unitnames = []
         for unit in self.units:
-            unitnames.append(unit["name"])
+            unitnames.append(unit.name)
         for unitname, num in collections.Counter(unitnames).items():
             if num > 1:
                 self.ctx.issues.error(
@@ -204,18 +212,51 @@ class Units(AUnits):
 
 
 class Ingredient(Element):
-    def load(self, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> None:
-        if "prices" in dct:
-            pricedb = PriceDBs(self.ctx)
-            pricedb.load(dct["prices"])
-            self["prices"] = pricedb
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        ctx: Context,
+        name: str,
+        wdid: Optional[int],
+        prices: List["PriceDB"],
+        conversions: List[Conversion],
+        aliases: List[str],
+    ) -> None:
+        super().__init__(ctx)
+        self.name = name
+        self.wdid = wdid
+        self.prices = prices
+        self.conversions = conversions
+        self.aliases = aliases
 
-        conversions = []
+    @classmethod
+    def from_dict(cls, ctx: Context, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> Self:
+        wdid = None
+        if "wdid" in dct:
+            wdid = dct["wdid"]
+
+        prices: List[PriceDB] = []
+        if "prices" in dct:
+            for pricedct in dct["prices"]:
+                prices.append(PriceDB.from_dict(ctx, pricedct))
+
+        conversions: List[Conversion] = []
         if "conversions" in dct:
             for convdct in dct["conversions"]:
-                conversion = Conversion(self.ctx, convdct)
+                conversion = Conversion.from_dict(ctx, convdct)
                 conversions.append(conversion)
-        self["conversions"] = conversions
+
+        aliases: List[str] = []
+        if "aliases" in dct:
+            aliases = dct["aliases"]
+
+        return cls(
+            ctx,
+            name=dct["name"],
+            wdid=wdid,
+            prices=prices,
+            conversions=conversions,
+            aliases=aliases,
+        )
 
     def dfs(
         self,
@@ -240,21 +281,21 @@ class Ingredient(Element):
     def convert(self, amount: float, unitfrom: Unit, unitto: Unit) -> Optional[float]:
         conversions: Dict[str, Dict[str, float]] = defaultdict(dict)
         # construct node tree
-        convs = self["conversions"]
+        convs = self.conversions
         for unit in self.ctx.units.units:
-            convs += unit["conversions"]
+            convs += unit.conversions
         for conv in convs:
-            fromname = conv["from"]["name"]
-            toname = conv["to"]["name"]
-            conversions[fromname][toname] = conv["ratio"]
-            conversions[toname][fromname] = 1 / conv["ratio"]
+            fromname = conv.fromunit.name
+            toname = conv.tounit.name
+            conversions[fromname][toname] = conv.ratio
+            conversions[toname][fromname] = 1 / conv.ratio
 
         # find path between conversions
-        path = self.dfs(conversions, unitfrom["name"], unitto["name"])
+        path = self.dfs(conversions, unitfrom.name, unitto.name)
         if path is None:
             self.ctx.issues.warn(
                 ISSUE_KNOWN_PRICE_UNKNOWN_CONVERSION,
-                f'{self["name"]} has a known price, but conversion {unitfrom["name"]} -> {unitto["name"]} not known',
+                f"{self.name} has a known price, but conversion {unitfrom.name} -> {unitto.name} not known",
             )
             return None
         assert len(path) != 0
@@ -265,15 +306,13 @@ class Ingredient(Element):
         return amount
 
     def getprice(self, amount: float, unit: Unit) -> Optional["PriceDB"]:
-        if "prices" not in self.dct:
-            return None
         prices: List[PriceDB] = []
-        pricedbs: PriceDBs = self["prices"]
-        for entry in pricedbs.pricedbs:
+        pricedbs: List[PriceDB] = self.prices
+        for entry in pricedbs:
             assert isinstance(entry, PriceDB)
-            entryamount: float = entry["amount"]
-            entryprice: float = entry["price"]
-            entryunit: Unit = entry["unit"]
+            entryamount: float = entry.amount
+            entryprice: float = entry.price
+            entryunit: Unit = entry.unit
             price = 0.0
             if entryunit == unit:
                 price = (amount / entryamount) * entryprice
@@ -283,12 +322,10 @@ class Ingredient(Element):
                     price = (pricex / entryamount) * entryprice
             newentry = PriceDB(
                 self.ctx,
-                {
-                    "price": price,
-                    "amount": amount,
-                    "unit": unit["name"],
-                    "currency": entry["currency"],
-                },
+                price=price,
+                amount=amount,
+                unit=unit,
+                currency=entry.currency,
             )
             prices.append(newentry)
         if len(prices) == 0:
@@ -313,9 +350,9 @@ class AIngredients:
 class FakeIngredients(AIngredients):
     def get(self, name: str) -> Optional[Ingredient]:
         for ing in self.ingredients:
-            if ing["name"] == name:
+            if ing.name == name:
                 return ing
-        ing = Ingredient(self.ctx, {"name": name})
+        ing = Ingredient(self.ctx, name, None, [], [], [])
         self.ingredients.append(ing)
         return ing
 
@@ -323,113 +360,164 @@ class FakeIngredients(AIngredients):
 class Ingredients(AIngredients):
     def load(self, lst: List[Any]) -> None:
         for ingdct in lst:
-            ing = Ingredient(self.ctx, ingdct)
+            ing = Ingredient.from_dict(self.ctx, ingdct)
             self.ingredients.append(ing)
 
     def get(self, name: str) -> Optional[Ingredient]:
         for ing in self.ingredients:
-            if ing["name"] == name or "aliases" in ing and name in ing["aliases"]:
+            if ing.name == name or name in ing.aliases:
                 return ing
         return None
 
 
-class PriceDBs:
-    def __init__(self, ctx: Context) -> None:
-        self.ctx = ctx
-        self.pricedbs: List[PriceDB] = []
-
-    def load(self, lst: List[Any]) -> None:
-        for elem in lst:
-            pricedb = PriceDB(self.ctx, elem)
-            self.pricedbs.append(pricedb)
-
-    def __repr__(self) -> str:
-        return self.pricedbs.__repr__()
-
-
 class PriceDB(Element):
-    def load(self, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> None:
-        if "amount" not in dct:
-            self["amount"] = 1.0
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        ctx: Context,
+        price: float,
+        amount: float,
+        unit: Unit,
+        currency: Optional[str],
+    ) -> None:
+        super().__init__(ctx)
+        self.price = price
+        self.amount = amount
+        self.unit = unit
+        self.currency = currency
 
-        if "unit" in dct:
-            unitstr = dct["unit"]
-            self["unit"] = self.ctx.units.get(unitstr)
-            if self["unit"] is None:
-                self.ctx.issues.error(ISSUE_UNKNOWN_UNIT, f"unknown unit {unitstr}")
+    @classmethod
+    def from_dict(cls, ctx: Context, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> Self:
+        price = dct["price"]
+        amount = dct["amount"]
+
+        unitstr = dct["unit"]
+        unitx = ctx.units.get(unitstr)
+        # uses the default unit if unit is not known (this won't be
+        # visible to the user since rendering will stop after
+        # everything is evaluated)
+        unit = ctx.default_unit
+        if unitx is None:
+            ctx.issues.error(ISSUE_UNKNOWN_UNIT, f"unknown unit {unitstr}")
         else:
-            self["unit"] = self.ctx.default_unit
+            unit = unitx
 
-        if "currency" not in dct:
-            self["currency"] = self.ctx.settings.default_currency
+        currency = ctx.settings.default_currency
+        if "currency" in dct:
+            currency = dct["currency"]
+        return cls(ctx=ctx, price=price, amount=amount, unit=unit, currency=currency)
 
 
 class IngredientInstance(Element):
-    def load(self, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> None:
-        ingredient = self.ctx.ingredients.get(dct["name"])
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        ctx: Context,
+        name: str,
+        amount: float,
+        unit: Unit,
+        alternatives: List["IngredientInstance"],
+        note: str,
+        price: Optional[PriceDB],
+    ) -> None:
+        super().__init__(ctx)
+        self.name = name
+        self.amount = amount
+        self.unit = unit
+        self.alternatives = alternatives
+        self.note = note
+        self.price = price
+
+    @classmethod
+    def from_dict(cls, ctx: Context, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> Self:
+        name = dct["name"]
+
+        ingredient = ctx.ingredients.get(name)
         if ingredient is None:
-            self.ctx.issues.error(
+            ctx.issues.error(
                 ISSUE_UNKNOWN_INGREDIENT, f"unknown ingredient {dct['name']}"
             )
-        self["ingredient"] = ingredient
 
-        if "amount" not in dct:
-            self["amount"] = 1.0
+        amount = 1.0
+        if "amount" in dct:
+            amount = dct["amount"]
 
+        unit = ctx.default_unit
         if "unit" in dct:
             unitstr = dct["unit"]
-            self["unit"] = self.ctx.units.get(unitstr)
-            if self["unit"] is None:
-                self.ctx.issues.error(ISSUE_UNKNOWN_UNIT, "unknown unit {unitstr}")
-        else:
-            self["unit"] = self.ctx.default_unit
+            unitx = ctx.units.get(unitstr)
+            if unitx is None:
+                ctx.issues.error(ISSUE_UNKNOWN_UNIT, "unknown unit {unitstr}")
+            else:
+                unit = unitx
 
-        if "note" not in dct:
-            self["note"] = ""
+        note = ""
+        if "note" in dct:
+            note = dct["note"]
 
         alternatives = []
         if "or" in dct:
             for ingdct in dct["or"]:
-                ing = IngredientInstance(self.ctx, ingdct)
+                ing = IngredientInstance.from_dict(ctx, ingdct)
                 alternatives.append(ing)
-        self["alternatives"] = alternatives
 
+        price = None
         if ingredient is not None:
-            self["price"] = ingredient.getprice(self["amount"], self["unit"])
+            price = ingredient.getprice(amount, unit)
+        return cls(
+            ctx=ctx,
+            name=name,
+            amount=amount,
+            unit=unit,
+            alternatives=alternatives,
+            note=note,
+            price=price,
+        )
 
 
 class Recipe(Element):
-    def __init__(self, ctx: Context, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> None:
-        super().__init__(ctx, dct)
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        ctx: Context,
+        title: str,
+        ingredients: List[IngredientInstance],
+        subrecipes: List["Recipe"],
+        price: Optional[PriceDB],
+        steps: List[str],
+    ) -> None:
+        super().__init__(ctx)
         self.srcpath = ""
         self.outpath = ""
+        self.title = title
+        self.ingredients = ingredients
+        self.subrecipes = subrecipes
+        self.price = price
+        self.steps = steps
 
-    def load(self, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+    @classmethod
+    def from_dict(cls, ctx: Context, dct: Dict[str, Any]) -> Self:
         ingredients: List[IngredientInstance] = []
         if "ingredients" in dct:
-            for ing in dct["ingredients"]:
-                ingredient = IngredientInstance(self.ctx, ing)
+            for ingdct in dct["ingredients"]:
+                ingredient = IngredientInstance.from_dict(ctx, ingdct)
                 ingredients.append(ingredient)
-        self["ingredients"] = ingredients
 
         subrecipes: List[Recipe] = []
         if "subrecipes" in dct:
             for partdct in dct["subrecipes"]:
-                rp = Recipe(self.ctx, partdct)
+                rp = Recipe.from_dict(ctx, partdct)
                 subrecipes.append(rp)
-        self["subrecipes"] = subrecipes
 
-        price: Optional[int] = 0
+        price: Optional[PriceDB] = None
+        pricex: float = 0
         ingswithprice = 0
         ingswithoutprice = 0
         currency = None
         for ing in ingredients:
-            if ing["price"] is None:
+            if ing.price is None:
                 ingswithoutprice += 1
                 continue
             ingswithprice += 1
-            price += ing["price"]["price"]
-            cur_currency = ing["price"]["currency"]
+            pricex += ing.price.price
+            cur_currency = ing.price.currency
             if currency is None:
                 currency = cur_currency
             elif currency != cur_currency:
@@ -437,9 +525,27 @@ class Recipe(Element):
                 currency = None
                 break
         if currency is None or ingswithoutprice != 0 or len(ingredients) == 0:
-            self["price"] = None
+            price = None
         else:
-            self["price"] = PriceDB(self.ctx, {"price": price, "currency": currency})
+            price = PriceDB(
+                ctx=ctx,
+                price=pricex,
+                amount=1,
+                unit=ctx.default_unit,
+                currency=currency,
+            )
+
+        steps = []
+        if "steps" in dct:
+            steps = dct["steps"]
+        return cls(
+            ctx=ctx,
+            title=dct["title"],
+            ingredients=ingredients,
+            subrecipes=subrecipes,
+            price=price,
+            steps=steps,
+        )
 
 
 class Builder:
@@ -533,7 +639,7 @@ class Builder:
                 continue
             recipedct = self.load_file(dir + "/recipes/" + file)
             jsonschema.validate(instance=recipedct, schema=recipeschema)
-            recipe = Recipe(self.ctx, recipedct)
+            recipe = Recipe.from_dict(self.ctx, recipedct)
             recipe.srcpath = file
             recipe.outpath = file[:-5] + ".html"
             if self.ctx.issues.check() != 0:
diff --git a/schemas/ingredients.json b/schemas/ingredients.json
index c94c6af..48d6f60 100644
--- a/schemas/ingredients.json
+++ b/schemas/ingredients.json
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
                     "required": [ "price", "amount", "unit" ],
                     "properties": {
                         "price": { "type": "number" },
-                        "amount": { "type": "integer" },
+                        "amount": { "type": "number" },
                         "unit": { "type": "string" },
                         "currency": { "type": "string" }
                     }