Tired of dealing with cracky wood? Discover how to take care of your wooden cookware. Keep them looking spotless with these simple tips.
Ever wondered why our grandmas were so fond of wooden cookware?
The tradition of utensils made from wood dates back centuries. Even the sages of ancient times used wooden household items in their day-to-day life. A lot of wooden items are still used in today's contemporary world for good reasons. Wooden kitchenware definitely tops the list.
There is a good buzz around wooden cookware sets. But, we are still struggling to find the secret of maintaining them for years. Yes, you heard it right. Proper care and maintenance can make them last for decades!
Worried about ruining the high-priced wooden utensils and wasting your hard-earned money? Believe it, these high-end cookwares are worth every single penny you have spent on them. This easy-to-follow guide has got you covered in your wooden cookware game.
Why are wooden utensils better?
We have discussed the hype around it. And, the hype is for good reasons. Wood is definitely the best biodegradable, eco-friendly cookware material option out there.
Wood is naturally a non-conductor of heat, making it an easier option to cook with. Not to worry about scratching the pans and pots, as is the case with metal cookware. Another problem with metal utensils is that they can chemically react with food.
We are all aware of how harmful plastic-based cookware can be. Using these materials at very high temperatures is a big NO-NO. Thus, wooden cookware is one of the safest cookware to use.
How to choose the best wooden cookware.
The life of a wooden utensil depends upon the quality of wood used in making it. Mostly, all the wooden kitchenware is made of good quality wood, to give them a long life. But, there are some tips for buying wooden utensils.
- Never buy utensils with sharp edges to avoid scratches on your cooking pan.
- Avoid utensils with complex structures. It would make cleaning it difficult for you.
- Choose darker woods for utensils. Stains would go unnoticed on the darker ones.
- Choose lighter wood utensils over the heavier ones.
How to Maintain and Use Wooden Cookware.
The idea of maintaining wooden utensils may haunt you. But it is super easy if you follow these instructions.
- Wash your wooden utensils immediately after use.
- Never leave it in the kitchen sink for a long time. Wood has pores, it will absorb the water content of curry or soup left on it.
(This will leave the spoons and vessels smelling like the curry for days. Plus the unwanted curry stains!!)
- Similarly, never wash them in a dishwasher. Repeated water splashes can make the wood absorb a lot of the water. Hand washing is the best option.
- Wash them with lukewarm water and mild dish soap. Avoid harsh metal scrubs. A sponge with a light scrub side is the best choice.
- After washing, pat them dry with a piece of cloth and let them air dry.
- Oil them every 6 months to avoid the loss of moisture and wood cracking.
How to oil Wooden Utensils
Now comes the easiest, once in a while, but an important part of maintenance. Cracky wood can break hearts, but it will only happen if you don't follow this oiling tip. Believe it or not, this will give your woods the boon of being healthy forever!
Here is our easy-to-follow oiling routine step by step.
- Take your clean wooden lovelies in a large dish.
- Pour your favorite oil directly on it. Leave it off for a few hours or a whole night.
- After a few hours/in the morning, check if the wood has absorbed all the oil. Wipe off the excess oil with a piece of cloth.
- And, Voila! Your shiny woody baby is ready to shine for the next few months.
Best oils for wooden utensils
There is a pool of options when it comes to choosing an oil for seasoning your wooden utensils. FYI. It includes natural oils, mineral oils and beeswax made especially for wood seasoning.
You can go with any of your favorite edible natural oils. Make sure you do not pour a lot of oil on your wooden spoons and pin rolls. Even if it is your favorite oil, do not overdo it. It’s not one of the best options, as it may rancid your utensils.
Beeswax can the best option. It will dodge the messy oily scenarios which are the case with natural oil. If you are looking for only vegan options. Skip this recommendation.
The most recommended oils are retail mineral oils specially made for wood seasoning. Some oils consist of a perfect blend of necessary essential oils and natural oils. Some oils have essential oils like clove oil and lemon oil to keep the wood away from bacteria and fungus.
The varnish used for furniture should not be used for seasoning wood kitchenware.
Wrapping up:
It may seem a lot of work goes into maintaining wooden utensils.
Phew!
Yeah, that’s true, but every pain you take for these utensils is worth it. Because it gonna make your woods last for years.
You can even pass these wooden utensils to your next generations as a legacy of home. Choose the natural, safe, and biodegradable cookware option for your kitchen!
What are your thoughts about wooden cookware? Let us know in the comment section below.
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