A common question of many home cooks is how to care for wooden kitchen
utensils and are they sanitary.
Caring for your wooden spoons is simple!
Trends come and go, but the wooden kitchenware remains, a simple and dependable tool that cooks have relied on forever-or close to it.
Wooden spoons, cutting boards, and other kitchen tools are the workhorses of the kitchen. They can be used for all types of cooking. If well cared for, wooden utensils can last for years.
Antibacterial Properties of Wood
First of all let's discuss about the benefits of wooden utensils in our daily use. Wood is one of the oldest materials used to make kitchen tools, and for good
reason. Wood is naturally more antibacterial than any other man-made object.
Wooden utensils are also among the best tools to be used on nonstick cookware, as they won't scratch the coating like metal utensils might.
When they're made, most wooden spoons, utensils and cutting boards are treated with mineral oils, which creates an inert, neutral surface that will not allow bacteria to reside.
Caring for Wood Utensils
To keep your wooden spoons and cutting boards in the best shape possible.
Cleaning Tips :
- Simple hand washing is best for wooden items with hot water and mild dish soap. Although wooden utensils and cutting boards could technically be cleaned in the dishwasher, it's not a good idea. The high water temperatures in the dishwasher can dry them out and lead to cracks in the wood.
- Give them quick wipe with a clean dishtowel, then allow them to air-dry completely before putting them away.
Maintenance Tips :
- If your wooden spoons or cutting board start to look dry or don't feel super smooth, take a cotton cloth dip it in food-safe mineral oil or a beeswax compound, and wipe. Let it dry for about 24 hours or until wood soak all the oil. Don't use food-based oil like vegetable or olive oil, since these types of oils can go rancid.
- Avoid highly pigmented foods as then stain, however they stains wil fade with time.
- Wooden items are senitive to stong odors. Given case ,To reduce the smell, rub the wooden surface with the cut side of a halved lemon or with a paste made of baking soda and water. This will help neutralize the odor.
With these tips, your wooden kitchen utensils should last a long, long time.