What are the benefits of using wooden spoons? “They are easy to use, comfortable to hold, and create a consistent set.” They don’t scratch cookware and are also long-lasting. They’re also good for the environment.
Wood is wonderful to handle and utilize. It can be more comfortable and blends better with your hand, which is important when stirring a dish like risotto continuously for an extended amount of time.
Read also: Spring Cleaning Kitchen Tips You Should Follow
Are Wooden Spoons Safe?
Yes, to put it succinctly. If we consider danger from a microbiological perspective, we don’t have any instances of foodborne diseases caused by hardwood cutting boards or cutlery. Every substance has trade-offs, thus there isn’t one that is safer than the others when compared to silicone, plastic, or metal.
Antimicrobial and porous
When it comes to food safety, wooden utensils’ porous nature—which many people believe to be a disadvantage—can actually work to their advantage. Water and/or bacteria on the outside of the wooden surface essentially permeate into the wood, “choking out” the surface bacteria and denying them a favorable environment in which to develop. This process is known as capillary action.
Furthermore, because plants have had to evolve natural defenses to ward off bacteria and parasites, wood contains antibacterial qualities. No matter what form the wood has taken, these qualities remain the same (whether it is a cutting board or a spoon).
What Not to Do With Wooden Spoons
The primary issue with wooden utensils and food safety is improper drying. It should take at least 24 hours (depending on temperature and humidity) for your utensils to completely dry after washing in an area with lots of airflow. A utensil hasn’t had time to “choke out the bacteria” and let its antibacterial qualities do their job if it hasn’t completely dried.
In order to maximize air flow and allow gravity to pull moisture down toward the handle as it dries out, use a drying rack for items like boards and spoons that might be supported upright in a utensil holder but with the spoon portion facing up (handle portion looking down).
Throw Out the Old
When should wooden utensils be replaced? It all boils down to making sure you’re paying attention to your equipment and that it’s in the condition you anticipate. It’s time to replace your board if you see that it has grooves that weren’t there before, or if you find that your spoon is beginning to crack or is having problems drying.