The humble wood spoon. We all have one – at least we all should. Incredibly versatile in the kitchen, they are simple, sturdy, and safe. It’s the first tool I give to my niece when she wants to help cook, as well as the one I reach for most often. Sadly, wood tools are often neglected and without proper care can become cracked or moldy. Here are my tips for keeping this ever-useful utensil happy:
Divide and conquer Since wood can absorb flavors, it’s a good idea to have one set of wood spoons for sweet dishes and one for savory. You can mark them with a permanent marker on the handle end to keep them separate. I have often been told to wash wood spoons exclusively by hand, but that gets old pretty quick. As long as they aren’t slathered in eggs or oatmeal, I pop them right in the dishwasher with everything else. It gets stains out better than the ole sponge and they hold up just fine as long as you keep them oiled periodically. What? You’ve never oiled your spoons?!
Picking the right oil First, make sure you have a clean and fairly dry spoon – a little moisture won’t hurt, but too much water keeps the oil from being fully absorbed. Select a light, food-safe oil (i.e. not mineral oil), maybe grape seed or safflower or whatever you have on hand. When I was first cleaning out my pantry and upgrading my cooking oils, I found a huge bottle of canola oil lurking in the back of the cabinet. It must have been about 30 oz. At least I was being green by reducing packaging, but I knew I would no longer be consuming it, so it became my wood massage oil.
Now that you have your oil, pour a bit in your hand and smooth it over the entire spoon, paying extra attention to the scoop. If it’s really dry, it might take more oil than you think. After a few strokes, the spoons will take on a satiny sheen that tells you they are loving the extra attention and moisture. You don’t need a glossy coat though – that’s too much oil. Let them dry 30 minutes or so and store as usual, either in a crock on the counter or in a drawer.
A simple trick brings stunning results Cared for in this manner, even the most humble utensils shine. I once bought a 3-pack of very pale and identical looking wood spoons at the dollar store. They were study and cheap and I wasn’t particularly concerned with their appearance. But when I oiled them for the first time, I got quite a surprise as each must have been cut from a different wood. One turned a satiny blond. Another was a deep flax color with beautiful grain patterns. But the last was the best – a deep reddish brown that truly outshone the rest. This once pasty set of spoons quickly became my favorite to use and display.
Spread the love around I follow the same technique with other wood pieces in my kitchen – cutting boards for example. These must be properly sanitized before giving them the oil treatment, but that is another technique and we will have to tackle it next time. Until then, show your spoons some love with a nice oil rubdown.
