Wooden spoons/tools and such ..... how do you care for them? (533 views)

I'm probably NOT the one to give advice here as I let an absolutely exquisite olive wood scoop dry up into something which looks like driftwood-- but it did bring to my attention that SOME wood does seem to benefit from occasional oiling (something like mineral oil, though I know someone who swears by olive oil) The balance of my wooden spoons are cheapos, probably like your old things, and I just use soap and water on those-- but the prettier things (mostly teak) now get an occasional slathering of oil, then get to sit around and absorb sort of like my friends used to do with baby oil on their skin back when no one realized it was undesirable to fry oneself in the sun.

I have cheap wooden stuff that goes in the dishwasher, knowing it will be replaced.
My more expensive, special stuff, I hand wash and then oil.

My solution was to replace them with a black silicone/nylon set of utensils -- spatula, potato masher, pasta thingy, ladles, etc. They withstand high heat and I just put them in the dishwasher. They also look nice hanging on "S" hooks over the kitchen counter  with my whisks, and in my big white pitcher. Think I bought them at BB&B.

For my good wooden cutting boards, I periodically oil them to keep them from drying out/cracking etc... They are quite a few years old now and still in great shape. I get the food safe oil from Bed Bath and Beyond to use on anything in the kitchen.

Karen

Thx Karen for the tips about BBB.

calcook, Luckily I show restraint with my weakness for wood spoons/utensils -- I only have a handful (my small kitchen helps too). I use a combo of silicone, metal and wood. I just want to start using a few of those wood utensils, not just store them! And I won't be making curry with them. Ha.

Mineral oil is the one to use, and I suspect that any "food-safe oil" being sold for more $$$ is just mineral oil. If you can deal with the embarrassment of buying a large bottle of mineral oil (since it's sold as a laxative, that is the type of purchase for which my DH is likely to toss in a mega-pack of TP and a can of bathroom spray, just to be evil ), you'll have the perfect oil for your boards. Olive oil will go rancid eventually.

I actually hate wooden stuff b/c of the special care, but do have a few wooden items (huge W-S carving board; pastry board w/ roll-out markings; a few shaped trivets). I don't use wooden spoons or wooden-handled spatulas, but prefer silicone or nylon. However, for my wood things, I wash & immediately dry, then oil when dry, whenever I feel like it (so, rarely). The key seems to be immediate drying, plus letting them air-dry the rest of the way (I'll typically put my giant board on my cooktop b/c the air reaches all sides--my cooktop has a safety switch to prevent accidental use, or else I'd lay the board on cooling racks for the same reason).

I'll be picking up some mineral oil. And, I will use those wood utensils!

How often should I theoretically treat them --- every couple of months? Or should I say I'll be impressed if do it 2x/yr.

Thanks everyone! Maybe I should try and post a pic and you'll see what makes me just admire some and and not often stir with!

I did use one of them tonight! I actually like using wood spoons/spatulas especially in my cast iron and use my relegated cheapo/had forever ones quite often.