Despite modern kitchen tools, wooden spoons and utensils are special in the kitchen world. Utensils offer practical advantages over metal, plastic, and silicone, not just due to tradition. Wooden spoons and utensils are not just cooking tools; they also serve as a part of a well-equipped kitchen due to their gentle feel and natural antibacterial effects.
This blog will discuss Why Wooden Spoons and Utensils Are Better to Cook With and the numerous benefits of using wooden utensils for cooking, including functionality, safety, and environmental sustainability.
Why Are Wooden Spoons And Utensils Better To Cook With?
Wooden spoons and utensils have been globally known for centuries due to their unique advantages and widespread use in kitchens worldwide. Wooden utensils remain popular among chefs and home cooks despite the availability of modern materials like plastic, silicone, and stainless steel.
Here are some benefits of wooden spoons and the best kitchen utensil set based on their functionality, safety, environmental impact, and aesthetic appeal.
- Gentle on cookware: wooden utensils are gentle on all cookware types, including non-stick ones, and won’t scratch pots and pans. This ensures that your cookware’s lifespan is extended, maximizing the value of your investment.
- Heat resistance: wooden utensils are safer and more comfortable to cook over high heat due to their non-conductive nature. Wooden spoons are safe to use as they don’t burn hands like metal spoons, melt, or bend when heated, unlike plasticware.
- Durability: Wooden utensils can be highly durable and used for many years if properly cared for. These items are non-corrosive and require no frequent replacements, making them cost-effective in the long run.
- Non-reactive: wooden spoons are a safer alternative to metal utensils as they don’t react with acidic foods and harm the taste or leach harmful chemicals. Wooden utensils enhance the culinary experience by preserving the natural flavors of food.
- Eco-friendly: wooden utensils are eco-friendly due to their biodegradability and sustainably sourced materials, making them a more sustainable alternative to plastic or metal utensils and reducing their carbon footprint and waste.
- Aesthetic: Personalized wooden kitchen utensils in various finishes add natural beauty to your kitchen compared to various styles, from rustic to modern.
- Versatile: wooden utensils are versatile tools suitable for cooking, stirring, mixing, and serving food due to their non-abrasive nature, making them ideal for delicate tasks.
- Easy to clean: woodware cleaning and maintenance is straightforward, requiring warm, soapy water washing and drying and occasional oiling with food-safe mineral oil.
- Non-toxic: wooden utensils are chemical-free, unlike some plastic utensils. This way, no harmful chemicals like phthalates can be released into your food during cooking.
How Do I Care For Wooden Spoons And Utensils?
- Hand wash only: wooden utensils should not be washed in the dishwasher due to potential cracks due to water soaking. Hand wash them with warm water and mild dish soap, avoiding prolonged soaks in water.
- Regular maintenance: regularly oiling wooden utensils with food-safe mineral oil or specialized wood conditioning oil helps maintain moisture and prevent cracking. Apply oil to a clean cloth and rub it on all wood surfaces, allowing it to soak for a few hours or overnight, then remove any excess with a clean cloth.
- Handling stains and odors: Create a paste of baking soda by mixing it with water, applying it to resistant stains, gently rubbing with a soft cloth, rinsing, and drying. Apply the product to a clean cloth, rub it on all surfaces, let it soak for hours or overnight, and then wipe off any excess with a clean cloth.
- Proper Storage: Store wood utensils in a dry, cool, and moisture-free location, such as a counter holder or a well-ventilated drawer.
- Avoid extreme temperature: wooden utensils should not be left in direct sunlight or heat for extended periods, nor should they be used with too hot or cold foods to prevent expansion or contraction.
Conclusion
Wooden spoons and kitchen utensils are a perfect mixture of functionality, safety, and sustainability. The appeal of these products is enhanced by their eco-friendliness, gentle touch, heat resistance, non-reactivity, and natural antimicrobial properties. Wooden utensils offer superior kitchen appliances and a return to traditional methods, enhancing the cooking experience.
