diff --git a/include/cantera/base/utilities.h b/include/cantera/base/utilities.h
index 47f263894..3490a8705 100644
--- a/include/cantera/base/utilities.h
+++ b/include/cantera/base/utilities.h
@@ -482,8 +482,7 @@ R poly3(D x, R* c)
 //! Templated deep copy of a std vector of pointers
 /*!
  * Performs a deep copy of a std vectors of pointers to an object. This template
- * assumes that that the templated object has a functioning copy constructor. It
- * also assumes that pointers are zero when they are not malloced.
+ * assumes that that the templated object has a functioning copy constructor.
  *
  * @param fromVec   Vector of pointers to a templated class. This will be
  *                  deep-copied to the other vector
diff --git a/include/cantera/equil/vcs_SpeciesProperties.h b/include/cantera/equil/vcs_SpeciesProperties.h
index c10a0db13..d1487a412 100644
--- a/include/cantera/equil/vcs_SpeciesProperties.h
+++ b/include/cantera/equil/vcs_SpeciesProperties.h
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ public:
 
     //! Representative value of the mole fraction of this species in a phase.
     //! This value is used for convergence issues and for calculation of
-    //! numerical derivs
+    //! numerical derivatives
     double ReferenceMoleFraction;
 
     vcs_SpeciesProperties(size_t indexPhase, size_t indexSpeciesPhase,
diff --git a/include/cantera/equil/vcs_VolPhase.h b/include/cantera/equil/vcs_VolPhase.h
index 21840dc77..371475b4e 100644
--- a/include/cantera/equil/vcs_VolPhase.h
+++ b/include/cantera/equil/vcs_VolPhase.h
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@
 #include "cantera/equil/vcs_SpeciesProperties.h"
 #include "cantera/base/Array.h"
 
-// Forward reference for ThermoPhase object within the Cantera namespace
 namespace Cantera
 {
+
 class ThermoPhase;
 
 //! Models for the standard state volume of each species
diff --git a/include/cantera/equil/vcs_prob.h b/include/cantera/equil/vcs_prob.h
index cd19c98cd..1e4f4c651 100644
--- a/include/cantera/equil/vcs_prob.h
+++ b/include/cantera/equil/vcs_prob.h
@@ -31,20 +31,20 @@ public:
     //! Total number of species in the problems
     size_t nspecies;
 
-    //! Species number used to malloc data structures
+    //! Species number used to size data structures
     size_t NSPECIES0;
 
     //! Number of element constraints in the equilibrium problem
     size_t ne;
 
-    //! Number of element constraints used to malloc data structures
+    //! Number of element constraints used to size data structures
     //! involving elements
     size_t NE0;
 
     //! Number of phases in the problem
     size_t NPhase;
 
-    //! Number of phases used to malloc data structures
+    //! Number of phases used to size data structures
     size_t NPHASE0;
 
     //! Vector of chemical potentials of the species. This is a calculated
diff --git a/include/cantera/equil/vcs_solve.h b/include/cantera/equil/vcs_solve.h
index e967c1206..73e368d62 100644
--- a/include/cantera/equil/vcs_solve.h
+++ b/include/cantera/equil/vcs_solve.h
@@ -1374,10 +1374,10 @@ private:
     vector_fp m_wx;
 
 public:
-    //! value of the number of species used to malloc data structures
+    //! value of the number of species used to size data structures
     size_t NSPECIES0;
 
-    //! value of the number of phases used to malloc data structures
+    //! value of the number of phases used to size data structures
     size_t NPHASE0;
 
     //!  Total number of species in the problems
diff --git a/include/cantera/kinetics/InterfaceKinetics.h b/include/cantera/kinetics/InterfaceKinetics.h
index bfecbaf10..6291b74d1 100644
--- a/include/cantera/kinetics/InterfaceKinetics.h
+++ b/include/cantera/kinetics/InterfaceKinetics.h
@@ -510,10 +510,10 @@ protected:
      */
     vector_fp m_beta;
 
-    //! Vector of reaction indexes specifying the id of the current transfer
+    //! Vector of reaction indexes specifying the id of the charge transfer
     //! reactions in the mechanism
     /*!
-     *  Vector of reaction indices which involve current transfers. This provides
+     *  Vector of reaction indices which involve charge transfers. This provides
      *  an index into the m_beta and m_ctrxn_BVform array.
      *
      *        irxn = m_ctrxn[i]
diff --git a/include/cantera/kinetics/importKinetics.h b/include/cantera/kinetics/importKinetics.h
index 229c871d8..3bad662c8 100644
--- a/include/cantera/kinetics/importKinetics.h
+++ b/include/cantera/kinetics/importKinetics.h
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ bool importKinetics(const XML_Node& phase, std::vector<ThermoPhase*> th,
 /*!
  *  In a single call, this routine initializes a ThermoPhase object and a
  *  homogeneous kinetics object for a phase. It returns the fully initialized
- *  ThermoPhase object ptr and kinetics ptr.
+ *  ThermoPhase object pointer and kinetics pointer.
  *
  * @param root pointer to the XML tree which will be searched to find the
  *             XML phase element.
diff --git a/include/cantera/numerics/Func1.h b/include/cantera/numerics/Func1.h
index 49aa7f322..8db78aa67 100644
--- a/include/cantera/numerics/Func1.h
+++ b/include/cantera/numerics/Func1.h
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ public:
 
     //! Duplicate the current function.
     /*!
-     * This duplicates the current function, returning a reference to the new
-     * malloced function.
+     * This duplicates the current function, returning a reference to the newly
+     * created function.
      */
     virtual Func1& duplicate() const;
 
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ public:
 
     //! Creates a derivative to the current function
     /*!
-     * This will malloc a derivative function and return a reference to the
+     * This will create a new derivative function and return a reference to the
      * function.
      */
     virtual Func1& derivative() const;
diff --git a/include/cantera/numerics/GeneralMatrix.h b/include/cantera/numerics/GeneralMatrix.h
index ff0689230..10083904f 100644
--- a/include/cantera/numerics/GeneralMatrix.h
+++ b/include/cantera/numerics/GeneralMatrix.h
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ public:
     /*!
      * This function will duplicate the matrix given a generic GeneralMatrix
      *
-     * @returns a pointer to the malloced object
+     * @returns a pointer to the newly created object
      */
     virtual GeneralMatrix* duplMyselfAsGeneralMatrix() const = 0;
 
diff --git a/include/cantera/numerics/IDA_Solver.h b/include/cantera/numerics/IDA_Solver.h
index 153daec92..9ce7eb4fe 100644
--- a/include/cantera/numerics/IDA_Solver.h
+++ b/include/cantera/numerics/IDA_Solver.h
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ public:
 };
 
 
-class ResidData; // forward reference
+class ResidData;
 
 class IDA_Solver : public DAE_Solver
 {
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/MetalSHEelectrons.h b/include/cantera/thermo/MetalSHEelectrons.h
index a1f00e10e..b87ed3aa1 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/MetalSHEelectrons.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/MetalSHEelectrons.h
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ public:
 
     //! Make the default XML tree
     /*!
-     *   @returns a malloced XML tree containing the default info.
+     *   @returns a new XML tree containing the default info.
      */
     static XML_Node* makeDefaultXMLTree();
 
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS.h b/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS.h
index c23ba981a..da87bb87f 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS.h
@@ -513,7 +513,6 @@ public:
      *  object. It's needed for the duplicator capability
      *
      * @param vptp_ptr       Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                       This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param vpssmgr_ptr    Pointer to the variable pressure standard state
      *                       calculator for this phase
      * @param spthermo_ptr   Pointer to the optional SpeciesThermo object
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_ConstVol.h b/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_ConstVol.h
index c0684eefd..2d5d7723c 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_ConstVol.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_ConstVol.h
@@ -120,7 +120,6 @@ public:
      * does most of the work.
      *
      * @param vptp_ptr    Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                    This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param spindex     Species index within the phase
      * @param inputFile   XML file containing the description of the phase
      * @param id          Optional parameter identifying the name of the phase.
@@ -141,7 +140,6 @@ public:
      *     - initThermoXML(phaseNode)      (cascade)
      *
      * @param vptp_ptr   Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                   This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param spindex    Species index within the phase
      * @param speciesNode XML Node containing the species information
      * @param phaseNode  Reference to the phase Information for the phase
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_HKFT.h b/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_HKFT.h
index 95281c69a..b4da91280 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_HKFT.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_HKFT.h
@@ -136,7 +136,6 @@ public:
      * routine, which does most of the work.
      *
      * @param vptp_ptr    Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                    This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param spindex     Species index within the phase
      * @param inputFile   XML file containing the description of the phase
      * @param id          Optional parameter identifying the name of the
@@ -157,7 +156,6 @@ public:
      *     - initThermoXML(phaseNode)      (cascade)
      *
      * @param vptp_ptr   Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                   This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param spindex    Species index within the phase
      * @param speciesNode XML Node containing the species information
      * @param phaseNode  Reference to the phase Information for the phase
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_IdealGas.h b/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_IdealGas.h
index 690fbaed3..3673bf8dc 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_IdealGas.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_IdealGas.h
@@ -116,7 +116,6 @@ public:
      * routine, which does most of the work.
      *
      * @param vptp_ptr    Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                    This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param spindex     Species index within the phase
      * @param inputFile   XML file containing the description of the phase
      * @param id          Optional parameter identifying the name of the
@@ -137,7 +136,6 @@ public:
      *   - initThermoXML(phaseNode)     (cascade)
      *
      * @param vptp_ptr   Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                   This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param spindex    Species index within the phase
      * @param phaseNode  Reference to the phase Information for the phase
      *                   that owns this species.
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_IonsFromNeutral.h b/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_IonsFromNeutral.h
index 8b2af0f66..6a6963d34 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_IonsFromNeutral.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_IonsFromNeutral.h
@@ -132,7 +132,6 @@ public:
      * routine, which does most of the work.
      *
      * @param vptp_ptr    Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                    This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param spindex     Species index within the phase
      * @param inputFile   XML file containing the description of the phase
      * @param id          Optional parameter identifying the name of the
@@ -153,7 +152,6 @@ public:
      *     - initThermoXML(phaseNode)      (cascade)
      *
      * @param vptp_ptr   Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                   This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param spindex    Species index within the phase
      * @param speciesNode  Reference to the phase Information for the species
      *                     that this standard state refers to
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_SSVol.h b/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_SSVol.h
index 23165dd52..64c293490 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_SSVol.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_SSVol.h
@@ -257,7 +257,6 @@ private:
      * routine, which does most of the work.
      *
      * @param vptp_ptr    Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                    This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param spindex     Species index within the phase
      * @param inputFile   XML file containing the description of the phase
      * @param id          Optional parameter identifying the name of the
@@ -278,7 +277,6 @@ private:
      *     - initThermoXML(phaseNode)      (cascade)
      *
      * @param vptp_ptr   Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                   This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param spindex    Species index within the phase
      * @param speciesNode XML Node containing the species information
      * @param phaseNode  Reference to the phase Information for the phase
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_Water.h b/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_Water.h
index ebeeaa4b9..6d94d248d 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_Water.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/PDSS_Water.h
@@ -214,7 +214,6 @@ public:
      * routine, which does most of the work.
      *
      * @param vptp_ptr    Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                    This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param spindex     Species index within the phase
      * @param inputFile   XML file containing the description of the phase
      * @param id          Optional parameter identifying the name of the
@@ -236,7 +235,6 @@ public:
      *     - initThermoXML(phaseNode)      (cascade)
      *
      * @param vptp_ptr   Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                   This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param spindex    Species index within the phase
      * @param phaseNode  Reference to the phase Information for the phase
      *                   that owns this species.
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr.h b/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr.h
index 290a987fa..774c592b4 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr.h
@@ -233,7 +233,6 @@ public:
     //! Constructor
     /*!
      * @param vptp_ptr Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                 This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param spth     Pointer to the optional SpeciesThermo object
      *                 that will handle the calculation of the reference
      *                 state thermodynamic coefficients.
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_ConstVol.h b/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_ConstVol.h
index b7604f813..f484d7583 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_ConstVol.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_ConstVol.h
@@ -31,12 +31,9 @@ class VPSSMgr_ConstVol : public VPSSMgr
 public:
     //! Constructor
     /*!
-     *  @param vp_ptr Pointer to the owning VPStandardStateTP object
-     *                for the phase. It's a requirement that this be
-     *                already malloced.
-     *  @param spth   Pointer to the SpeciesThermo object for the
-     *                phase. It's a requirement that this be already
-     *                malloced.
+     *  @param vp_ptr Pointer to the owning VPStandardStateTP object for the
+     *                phase.
+     *  @param spth   Pointer to the SpeciesThermo object for the phase.
      */
     VPSSMgr_ConstVol(VPStandardStateTP* vp_ptr, SpeciesThermo* spth);
 
@@ -100,7 +97,7 @@ public:
      *  @param k Species index within the phase
      *  @param speciesNode Reference to the species node in the XML tree
      *  @param phaseNode_ptr Pointer to the phase node in the XML tree
-     *  @return Returns a pointer to the a newly malloced PDSS object
+     *  @return Returns a pointer to the a newly created PDSS object
      *          containing the parameterization
      */
     virtual PDSS* createInstallPDSS(size_t k, const XML_Node& speciesNode,
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_General.h b/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_General.h
index 6606e2d8f..14e5f7932 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_General.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_General.h
@@ -36,9 +36,8 @@ public:
     //! Constructor
     /*!
      *  @param vp_ptr Pointer to the owning VPStandardStateTP object for the
-     *                phase. It's a requirement that this be already malloced.
-     *  @param spth   Pointer to the SpeciesThermo object for the phase. It's
-     *                a requirement that this be already malloced.
+     *                phase.
+     *  @param spth   Pointer to the SpeciesThermo object for the phase.
      */
     VPSSMgr_General(VPStandardStateTP* vp_ptr,
                     SpeciesThermo* spth);
@@ -99,7 +98,7 @@ private:
      *           instantiation has resulted in a SpeciesThermo object
      *           being created and registered with the SpeciesThermo
      *           manager class.
-     * @return  Returns the pointer to a malloced PDSS object
+     * @return  Returns the pointer to a newly created PDSS object
      */
     PDSS* returnPDSS_ptr(size_t k, const XML_Node& speciesNode,
                          const XML_Node* const phaseNode_ptr, bool& doST);
@@ -119,7 +118,7 @@ public:
      * @param k  Species number
      * @param speciesNode XML node for the standard state of the species
      * @param phaseNode_ptr   pointer to the phase XML node
-     * @return  Returns the pointer to the malloced PDSS object
+     * @return  Returns the pointer to the newly created PDSS object
      */
     virtual PDSS* createInstallPDSS(size_t k, const XML_Node& speciesNode,
                                      const XML_Node* const phaseNode_ptr);
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_IdealGas.h b/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_IdealGas.h
index 4d96ad58b..9ade2767d 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_IdealGas.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_IdealGas.h
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ public:
      *  @param k             Species index within the phase
      *  @param speciesNode   Reference to the species node in the XML tree
      *  @param phaseNode_ptr Pointer to the phase node in the XML tree
-     *  @return Returns a pointer to the a newly malloced PDSS object
+     *  @return Returns a pointer to the a newly created PDSS object
      *          containing the parameterization
      */
     virtual PDSS* createInstallPDSS(size_t k, const XML_Node& speciesNode,
diff --git a/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_Water_HKFT.h b/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_Water_HKFT.h
index 05aaf6fe7..ba5d370be 100644
--- a/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_Water_HKFT.h
+++ b/include/cantera/thermo/VPSSMgr_Water_HKFT.h
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ public:
     //! Constructor
     /*!
      * @param vptp_ptr Pointer to the Variable pressure ThermoPhase object
-     *                 This object must have already been malloced.
      * @param spth     Pointer to the optional SpeciesThermo object
      *                 that will handle the calculation of the reference
      *                 state thermodynamic coefficients.
diff --git a/include/cantera/transport/TransportFactory.h b/include/cantera/transport/TransportFactory.h
index 708763a2f..565723e49 100644
--- a/include/cantera/transport/TransportFactory.h
+++ b/include/cantera/transport/TransportFactory.h
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ private:
  * @param thermo          ThermoPhase object associated with the phase, defaults
  *     to null pointer
  * @param loglevel        int containing the Loglevel, defaults to zero
- * @param f               ptr to the TransportFactory object if it's been malloced.
+ * @param f               optional pointer to the TransportFactory object
  * @param ndim            Number of dimensions for transport fluxes
  *
  * @ingroup tranprops
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ Transport* newTransportMgr(const std::string& transportModel = "", thermo_t* the
 /*!
  *  @param thermo     ThermoPhase object associated with the phase
  *  @param loglevel   int containing the Loglevel, defaults to zero
- *  @param f          ptr to the TransportFactory object if it's been allocated
+ *  @param f          pointer to the TransportFactory object if it's been allocated
  *  @returns a transport manager for the phase
  *
  * @ingroup tranprops
diff --git a/include/cantera/zeroD/FlowDevice.h b/include/cantera/zeroD/FlowDevice.h
index f87aa7cab..983ddd5d1 100644
--- a/include/cantera/zeroD/FlowDevice.h
+++ b/include/cantera/zeroD/FlowDevice.h
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 namespace Cantera
 {
 class Func1;
-class ReactorBase; // forward reference
+class ReactorBase;
 
 const int MFC_Type = 1;
 const int PressureController_Type = 2;
diff --git a/src/base/xml.cpp b/src/base/xml.cpp
index 382cc4d36..cb35051dc 100644
--- a/src/base/xml.cpp
+++ b/src/base/xml.cpp
@@ -829,7 +829,7 @@ void XML_Node::copy(XML_Node* const node_dest) const
     for (size_t n = 0; n < m_children.size(); n++) {
         XML_Node* sc = m_children[n];
         size_t ndc = node_dest->nChildren();
-        // Here is where we do a malloc of the child node.
+        // Here is where we create the child node.
         node_dest->addChild(sc->name());
         XML_Node* dc = vsc[ndc];
         sc->copy(dc);
diff --git a/src/equil/vcs_VolPhase.cpp b/src/equil/vcs_VolPhase.cpp
index e2323d1fb..ea8e42129 100644
--- a/src/equil/vcs_VolPhase.cpp
+++ b/src/equil/vcs_VolPhase.cpp
@@ -1007,7 +1007,7 @@ size_t vcs_VolPhase::transferElementsFM(const ThermoPhase* const tPhase)
         ne++;
     }
 
-    // Assign and malloc structures
+    // Assign and resize structures
     elemResize(ne);
 
     if (ChargeNeutralityElement != npos) {
diff --git a/src/equil/vcs_inest.cpp b/src/equil/vcs_inest.cpp
index 819b8078e..f70e959f9 100644
--- a/src/equil/vcs_inest.cpp
+++ b/src/equil/vcs_inest.cpp
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ int VCS_SOLVE::vcs_inest_TP()
         }
     }
 
-    // Malloc temporary space for usage in this routine and in subroutines
+    // temporary space for usage in this routine and in subroutines
     vector_fp sm(m_numElemConstraints*m_numElemConstraints, 0.0);
     vector_fp ss(m_numElemConstraints, 0.0);
     vector_fp sa(m_numElemConstraints, 0.0);
diff --git a/src/equil/vcs_solve.cpp b/src/equil/vcs_solve.cpp
index ed2d50f6c..2b24af230 100644
--- a/src/equil/vcs_solve.cpp
+++ b/src/equil/vcs_solve.cpp
@@ -141,8 +141,7 @@ void VCS_SOLVE::vcs_initSizes(const size_t nspecies0, const size_t nelements,
     m_elType.resize(nelements, VCS_ELEM_TYPE_ABSPOS);
     m_elementActive.resize(nelements, 1);
 
-    // Malloc space for activity coefficients for all species. Set it equal to
-    // one.
+    // space for activity coefficients for all species. Set it equal to one.
     m_actConventionSpecies.resize(nspecies0, 0);
     m_phaseActConvention.resize(nphase0, 0);
     m_lnMnaughtSpecies.resize(nspecies0, 0.0);
@@ -152,7 +151,7 @@ void VCS_SOLVE::vcs_initSizes(const size_t nspecies0, const size_t nelements,
     m_chargeSpecies.resize(nspecies0, 0.0);
     m_speciesThermoList.resize(nspecies0, (VCS_SPECIES_THERMO*)0);
 
-    // Malloc Phase Info
+    // Phase Info
     m_VolPhaseList.resize(nphase0, 0);
     for (size_t iph = 0; iph < nphase0; iph++) {
         m_VolPhaseList[iph] = new vcs_VolPhase(this);
@@ -166,7 +165,7 @@ void VCS_SOLVE::vcs_initSizes(const size_t nspecies0, const size_t nelements,
 
     m_PMVolumeSpecies.resize(nspecies0, 0.0);
 
-    // Malloc space for counters kept within vcs
+    // counters kept within vcs
     m_VCount = new VCS_COUNTERS();
     vcs_counters_init(1);
 
@@ -383,7 +382,7 @@ int VCS_SOLVE::vcs_prob_specifyFully(const VCS_PROB* pub)
     // Copy over the charges
     m_chargeSpecies = pub->Charge;
 
-    // Malloc and Copy the VCS_SPECIES_THERMO structures
+    // Copy the VCS_SPECIES_THERMO structures
     for (size_t kspec = 0; kspec < nspecies; kspec++) {
         delete m_speciesThermoList[kspec];
         VCS_SPECIES_THERMO* spf = pub->SpeciesThermo[kspec];
diff --git a/src/equil/vcs_solve_TP.cpp b/src/equil/vcs_solve_TP.cpp
index e0e457562..ff13af2de 100644
--- a/src/equil/vcs_solve_TP.cpp
+++ b/src/equil/vcs_solve_TP.cpp
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ int VCS_SOLVE::vcs_solve_TP(int print_lvl, int printDetails, int maxit)
     vcs_counters_init(0);
     clockWC ticktock;
 
-    // Malloc temporary space for usage in this routine and in subroutines
+    // temporary space for usage in this routine and in subroutines
     m_sm.assign(m_numElemConstraints*m_numElemConstraints, 0.0);
     m_ss.assign(m_numElemConstraints, 0.0);
     m_sa.assign(m_numElemConstraints, 0.0);
diff --git a/src/numerics/CVodesIntegrator.cpp b/src/numerics/CVodesIntegrator.cpp
index 671f3f648..31e81fb03 100644
--- a/src/numerics/CVodesIntegrator.cpp
+++ b/src/numerics/CVodesIntegrator.cpp
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ void CVodesIntegrator::sensInit(double t0, FuncEval& func)
                              CV_STAGGERED, CVSensRhsFn(0), m_yS);
 
     if (flag != CV_SUCCESS) {
-        throw CanteraError("CVodesIntegrator::sensInit", "Error in CVodeSensMalloc");
+        throw CanteraError("CVodesIntegrator::sensInit", "Error in CVodeSensInit");
     }
     vector_fp atol(m_np, m_abstolsens);
     flag = CVodeSensSStolerances(m_cvode_mem, m_reltolsens, atol.data());
diff --git a/src/numerics/IDA_Solver.cpp b/src/numerics/IDA_Solver.cpp
index cd23d3216..25c546c46 100644
--- a/src/numerics/IDA_Solver.cpp
+++ b/src/numerics/IDA_Solver.cpp
@@ -344,9 +344,9 @@ void IDA_Solver::init(doublereal t0)
                                    "Memory allocation failed.");
             } else if (flag == IDA_ILL_INPUT) {
                 throw CanteraError("IDA_Solver::init",
-                    "Illegal value for IDAMalloc input argument.");
+                    "Illegal value for IDAInit input argument.");
             } else {
-                throw CanteraError("IDA_Solver::init", "IDAMalloc failed.");
+                throw CanteraError("IDA_Solver::init", "IDAInit failed.");
             }
         }
         flag = IDASVtolerances(m_ida_mem, m_reltol, m_abstol);
@@ -361,9 +361,9 @@ void IDA_Solver::init(doublereal t0)
                                    "Memory allocation failed.");
             } else if (flag == IDA_ILL_INPUT) {
                 throw CanteraError("IDA_Solver::init",
-                    "Illegal value for IDAMalloc input argument.");
+                    "Illegal value for IDAInit input argument.");
             } else {
-                throw CanteraError("IDA_Solver::init", "IDAMalloc failed.");
+                throw CanteraError("IDA_Solver::init", "IDAInit failed.");
             }
         }
         flag = IDASStolerances(m_ida_mem, m_reltol, m_abstols);
diff --git a/src/thermo/GeneralSpeciesThermo.cpp b/src/thermo/GeneralSpeciesThermo.cpp
index e84161b78..132cf24d6 100644
--- a/src/thermo/GeneralSpeciesThermo.cpp
+++ b/src/thermo/GeneralSpeciesThermo.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ void GeneralSpeciesThermo::install_STIT(size_t index,
 {
     if (!stit_ptr) {
         throw CanteraError("GeneralSpeciesThermo::install_STIT",
-                           "zero pointer");
+                           "null pointer");
     }
     AssertThrowMsg(m_speciesLoc.find(index) == m_speciesLoc.end(),
             "GeneralSpeciesThermo::install_STIT",
diff --git a/src/thermo/VPSSMgrFactory.h b/src/thermo/VPSSMgrFactory.h
index 770bf1faa..49d2565bc 100644
--- a/src/thermo/VPSSMgrFactory.h
+++ b/src/thermo/VPSSMgrFactory.h
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ public:
     //! Create a new species property manager for a group of species
     /*!
      * This routine will look through species nodes. It will discover what each
-     * species needs for its species property managers. Then, it will malloc and
+     * species needs for its species property managers. Then, it will create and
      * return the proper species property manager to use.
      *
      * @param vp_ptr         Variable pressure standard state ThermoPhase object
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ public:
      * @param spDataNodeList Vector of XML_Nodes, each of which is a species XML
      *                       Node. There are m_kk of these.
      *
-     *  @return              Returns a pointer to a newly malloced species
+     *  @return              Returns a pointer to a newly created species
      *                       property manager object.
      */
     virtual VPSSMgr* newVPSSMgr(VPStandardStateTP* vp_ptr,
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ private:
 //! the type and (optionally) a pointer to the factory to use to create it.
 /*!
  * This utility program will look through species nodes. It will discover what
- * each species needs for its species property managers. Then, it will malloc
+ * each species needs for its species property managers. Then, it will create
  * and return the proper species property manager to use.
  *
  *  These functions allow using a different factory class that
diff --git a/src/transport/LiquidTransport.cpp b/src/transport/LiquidTransport.cpp
index ceac0f358..87643b9e1 100644
--- a/src/transport/LiquidTransport.cpp
+++ b/src/transport/LiquidTransport.cpp
@@ -247,8 +247,8 @@ bool LiquidTransport::initLiquid(LiquidTransportParams& tr)
     m_mw = m_thermo->molecularWeights();
 
     // First populate mixing rules and indices (NOTE, we transfer pointers of
-    // malloced quantities. We zero out pointers so that we only have one copy
-    // of the malloced quantity)
+    // manually allocated quantities. We zero out pointers so that we only have
+    // one copy of the pointer)
     for (size_t k = 0; k < m_nsp; k++) {
         m_selfDiffMixModel[k] = tr.selfDiffusion[k];
         tr.selfDiffusion[k] = 0;