Cleaning and caring for wooden spoons

Wooden spoons have been used in the kitchen since time immemorial. In the earliest times, there were already wooden spoons made ofmaple wood,later other types of wood were added. But wooden spoons were not only used for cooking – long before there were washing machines, dirty laundry was washed in a huge pot with boiling hot water. To stir it, people used a wooden spoon at least 1.20m long. Nowadays, wooden spoons are available in various shapes and sizes. Very popular and really chic, the wooden spoons made from natural material naturally look better than the plastic or stainless steel version.

Using wooden spoons correctly

To prevent wooden spoons from being contaminated by fat: before use, hold the wooden spoon under cold water. This prevents the fat from sticking so easily and also prevents odors from being absorbed as strongly.

Darkly discolored wooden spoons

Darkened wooden spoons can be easily refurbished withconcentrated salt solution.To do this, coat the spoons with the solution and let them dry in the bright sun if possible. Then rinse the cutlery with clear water and let it dry well again.

The wooden spoon and its popularity

The traditional wooden spoon has a fairly thin handle, at the end of which a small to medium-sized bowl is attached. Depending on the version, the bowls are either closed at the lower end or have a hole in the middle of the bowl.

Which wooden spoon is the best?

Of course, it doesn't matter whether you choose a wooden spoon or prefer plastic or stainless steel. The spoons are mainly used for stirring food.

For lovers of wooden spoons, however, there are many different types to choose from: beech, maple, bamboo or olive wood offer variety and joy. However, this joy is shared not only by the user, but also by the dishes. Because unlike the plastic or stainless steel version, wooden cutlery leavesno residues, scratches or other traceson coated pans and pots. Rather, wooden spoons are particularly resistant, heat-resistant and can be used for all kinds of pots. Which wooden spoon you ultimately choose is up to you.

Which cleaning method for wooden spoons?

Among many chefs, wooden spoons are a popular topic of debate. Proponents appreciate the naturalness of the wood and the lightness of the material. Opponents, on the other hand, find the wooden version unhygienic and full of bacteria. Of course, wood can always be prone to cracks, which would certainly confirm thepoint of contention 'breeding ground for bacteria'.But is this thesis really correct?

In home kitchens, you will always find wooden spoons – in commercial kitchens, however, boards, wooden cutlery and wooden spoons have become less and less common; in some kitchens, utensils made from natural materials have even been completely banned. In the meantime, however, there are studies that prove thatwooden boards & co. do not contain more germs and bacteria than plastic items.Rather, the wooden kitchen helpers contain so-calledtannins,whichtend to fight bacteria.According to experts, users of wooden spoons and wooden boards do not get sick more or less often than users of plastic or glass dishes.

Certainly, there are some disadvantages in terms of cleaning for the wooden spoon: for example, you cannot simply put it in the dishwasher. The wood would swell due to this treatment and consequently make the wooden spoon unsightly and unusable. Therefore, wooden spoons shouldalways be cleaned by hand.For this, the spoon is best cleaned under running water with a dish brush and a little dish soap. After cleaning, the spoon should also alwaysbe dried well.

Tips for excellent cleaning of wooden spoons

• Discolored wooden spoons can be placed overnight in asolution of vinegar or lemon juice,so the discolorations fade quite well.
• Every now and then you should also rub wooden spoons witha little vegetable oil– this keeps the wood nice and supple and attractive.
• Among housewives,soda wateris a real insider tip: simply place the wooden spoon in the water mixed with soda and leave it there for a few days – after that, the wooden spoon is sparkling clean again.
• A short bath inboiling hot watermakes the spoon hygienically clean again. Simply boil some water, add salt and bathe the wooden spoon in it for 6-10 minutes.
• If the wooden spoon has become quite brittle due to heavy use, you can refurbish it with some. Simply clean it after the procedure and rub it with a good cooking oil.SandpaperNothing helps? Then you probably need to shop for new ones:

Wooden spoons on Amazonon Cleaning and caring for wooden spoons.

Read also: Keep wooden handles beautiful for longer

Image by Janine, meinhaushalt.at