Wooden spoons are a must-have in every kitchen. Wood is the best material for cooking utensils because it is environmentally friendly and does not conduct heat. So you won’t burn your fingers when stirring hot food.
Different woods have different properties that make them better suited for specific tasks. The best Wood for cooking spoons should be durable and have natural antimicrobial properties to avoid contamination.
This article will explore different types of Wood commonly used for cooking spoons. Let’s delve in.
What is the Best Wood for Cooking Spoons?
Hardwoods such as olive Wood, soft Maple, black walnut, cherry, and pecan are the best Wood for cooking utensils. They are thick and resistant to breakage. Other woods, such as bamboo and Maple, are ideal for wooden spoons.
Types of Wood Suitable for Cooking Spoons
An excellent wooden spoon is like having the elusive magic wand in your kitchen, as it will not scratch your expensive pots or leak chemicals. Here are a couple of popular woods suitable for making cooking utensils.
1. Olive Wood
Olive Wood is one of the most gorgeous woods in your kitchen. It has a stunning pattern and gives your kitchen a vintage look. Olive Wood is smooth and does not have a grainy texture like other woods.
Not only that, but it has a neutral flavor and is the most popular choice for a butter spreader. Although olives are famous for their flavor, oil, and nutritional value, Wood is also highly sought.
It is lovely, smooth, and tough, and its beauty improves with age. The Wood is solid and long-lasting. It also contains natural oil that moisturizes itself.
So you won’t have to oil it as frequently. The only downside to olive Wood is that it cracks easily since it’s hard. So, manufacturers use wood glue to fix the cracks, and you won’t know unless you have a keen eye for details.
2. Soft Maple
Maple is an excellent wood for making wooden spoons and kitchen utensils because it won’t leach out harmful chemicals. The Wood has a straight grain and is very thick, so it can withstand wear and tear in a busy kitchen.
It has a beautiful, light color and a smooth texture. The soft maple tree is native to North America and grows best in eastern Canada.
The bark is brownish-red, gradually changing to light gray or white as it ages. It has been used for cooking spoons for centuries because it does not impart any taste to the food.
Soft Maple is an excellent choice for cooking spoons because it’s moisture-resistant. The Wood is also easy to carve and shape. Since it’s not too hard, the spoon will not scratch your expensive pots and pans.
3. Black Walnut
It has a powerful presence when you use black walnut wood for furniture, kitchenware, or flooring in your residence. It sets the tone, regardless of the detail’s prominence or minor.
Black walnut’s strength, undeniable beauty, and flexibility make it an excellent choice for designer pieces you can pass down from one generation to the other.
In terms of care and maintenance, walnut wood species is simple to care for and will not give in to scratches, scuffs, and other damage as quickly as other wood types.
4. Bamboo
Bamboo is an excellent wood for making a wooden utensils for kitchen use. It is an eco-friendly option. This means it contains no harmful ingredients that could get into your food.
Strong bamboo is heat-resistant and has superb antimicrobial properties, meaning it resists bacteria, viruses, or fungi growth. So, you never risk food contamination when preparing food using a bamboo spoon.
Also, it is smooth and will not scratch your pots and pans. It is also lightweight and highly durable. Bamboo is a fantastic organic solution you can afford without breaking the bank.
Though bamboo wooden utensils are durable, they scratch effortlessly. You can also stain your bamboo wood for lasting utensils.
5. Pecan Wood
Pecan wooden spoons make an excellent addition to every kitchen. They’re strong, long-lasting, and simple to clean. Use a pecan wood spoon for deglazing pots or stirring soups and sauces.
You can also use it to mix various ingredients, scrape the sides of a pan, and toss your ingredients in a pan. The pecan tree is a member of the hickory family.
It is ideal for long barbecues because it burns slowly and imparts a unique taste to meats. Pecan wood has a flavor that is similar to hickory but less powerful. Pecan wood is an excellent all-purpose cooking wood.
6. Beech Wood
Solid beechwood spoons are a favorite among chefs and cooks. They are not only beautiful to look at but also practical for cooking.
The best Wood for cooking spoons is beech because it has a high resistance to heat, does not react with acidic foods, and is durable. Beechwood is a hardwood that is suitable for cooking utensils.
It is durable and has a high heat tolerance. Beechwood spoons are solid, can be used for stir-frying, and can withstand high temperatures without warping or cracking.
Although beech wood is perfect for kitchen utensils, it can be a pain to curve without experience.
7. Ashwood
Ashwood is another hardwood suitable for cooking utensils. It has a high density and is durable. It also has a low moisture content, making it resistant to warping and cracking.
Ash wood is excellent for a cutting board because it does not dull knives as quickly as other woods. This means you can use your knives longer before sharpening them again.
The Wood carves easily, making spatulas with flat edges or rounded corners is possible.
8. Cherry
Cherry wood is an excellent choice for cooking utensils because it is durable and has a beautiful color. It is also easy to work with, so carve it effortlessly to the deep head or angled corner if you like it that way.
Cherry has a great, smooth feel to it when handled. It also offers a high level of quality that cannot be overlooked.
Using a cherry spoon to stir your food won’t damage your pots and pans. Cherry wooden cooking spoons are very hygienic because they’re not glued.
Softwood or Hardwood: Which is Better for Kitchen Utensils?
I prefer using hardwoods for kitchen utensils such as spoons, spatulas, and tongs. This is due to their numerous benefits.
While softwoods can also be used, hardwoods are a preferred choice due to their superior qualities.
Why are hardwoods the best for kitchen utensils?
- Durable and rigid – hardwoods have a density and strength surpassing softwoods. This property of hardwoods provides greater freedom in the design of kitchen utensils. For instance, a hardwood spatula with a thickness of ⅛” can last several decades. If you use a softwood spatula repeatedly, it will slowly get smaller. It will become shorter and narrower each time you wash it. Wood is a very strong material that can handle being in water better than other materials. This makes it a great choice when making things like cooking utensils.
- Long Lasting – Hardwoods are commonly used when flooring and making furniture and spoons. This is because these woods can withstand wear and scuffs and scratches, exactly what I need for kitchen utensils
- Exotic hardwoods – Hardwoods exhibit striking colors and distinct grains. This gives them a unique appearance that sets them apart. These variations in the pattern can be seen between the heartwood and sapwood of the same tree. They can also be seen from one grain to another. This makes them ideal materials for crafting kitchen utensils that possess aesthetic appeal.
The challenges of working with hardwoods
- Accessibility – hardwoods have limited accessibility. Due to their slow growth rate and the specific environmental conditions required for their growth, hardwoods are typically more expensive and harder to source than softwoods. This can make obtaining hardwoods for crafting kitchen utensils or other woodworking projects challenging. Additionally, the need to transport hardwoods from other regions can increase the carbon footprint of woodworking practices.
- Proper drying – If hardwoods are not adequately dried, they can warp, crack, or split over time, compromising the final product’s integrity. The drying process involves reducing the Wood’s moisture content to a level suitable for the intended use. This can be achieved through air or kiln drying, the latter being the preferred method as it provides more control over the drying process. Properly dried hardwoods not only ensure the longevity of the finished product but also enhance the overall aesthetics of the Wood by bringing out its natural color and grain patterns.
- Not for Beginners – Working with hardwoods for kitchen utensils is not recommended for beginners as it requires a certain level of skill and knowledge to work with these materials. Hardwoods are denser and tougher than softwoods, making them more challenging to shape and carve. The unique grain patterns of hardwoods require careful attention to detail when cutting and carving to bring out their natural beauty. Beginners may find it more challenging to work with hardwoods, which can lead to frustration and wasted material. It is recommended that beginners start with softwoods and build up their skills and experience before attempting to work with hardwoods.
If you look forward to discovering the ideal pyrography wood, read this article.
How to Pick the Ideal Wooden Spoon
Wood is a natural material used for centuries to make cooking utensils. It is a renewable resource, and it is also easy to work with.
Here’s what to consider when you are buying cooking spoons.
Material
The first thing you should look at is the material. Most of us get carried away with the design and appearance of a spoon without checking the material it’s made of. But this is the main factor determining how long the spoon will last.
The size of the bowl, handle, and length of the spoon
Other factors include the handle, the spoon’s length, and the bowl’s size. The handle should be sturdy enough to withstand heat and regular washing.
The length of the spoon should be such that it can reach the bottom of a bowl thoroughly. The bowl size should be reasonable so that it can hold enough food if you use it for serving.
Price
You get what you pay for most of the time. It’s advisable to buy quality wooden spoons because they’re durable and easy to maintain. I bet you don’t want to use a cooking spoon that will be scraping your pots, as it is infuriating.
Inspect a wooden spoon before investing to ensure the price matches your desired quality. Never sacrifice quality for the price.
Is the wooden spoons food safe?
Most people prefer wooden spoons as they do not scratch cookware. Regardless of the pot or pan you’re using, wooden spoons are safe to use without the risk of abrasions or other blemishes, extending the life of your cookware.
Using wooden spoons will not affect your recipe. You’re right if you once prepared a recipe with a metal spoon and felt the food tasted differently than other foods afterward.
Some materials can react with acidic foods, causing the flavor of your recipe to change. Wooden spoons won’t alter the taste of your food or absorb its flavor.
Wooden spoons can withstand high temperatures. They will not melt in high temperatures or get hot, as stainless steel cutlery does, so you won’t have to worry about burning your hands.
They’re also strong enough to be used in almost any recipe without breaking. They’re also tough for stirring thick stews or scraping tough-to-clean bits off the bottom of your pot while remaining comfortable in your hands.
Interesting read: good bow woods
Tips for Maintaining Wooden Spoons
- Use warm soapy water to clean wooden spoons immediately after using them.
- Wooden utensils are not dishwasher friendly. Hand wash them and let them air dry.
- After washing, dry your wooden utensils with a clean towel to remove excess water. This will prevent the Wood from cracking as a result of moisture.
- Use lemon juice or baking soda to neutralize odors.
- Use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the utensils as needed.
- Use mineral oil to treat a wooden spoon, as It’s natural for the utensils to appear a little dry.
- Remove any dirt built up with vinegar.
FAQs
What is the best Wood for spoon carving?
Hardwoods are the best woods for carving spoons. The smoother the grain and the fewer open pores, the better. Start practicing with white pine or Himalayan birch, but understand that a hardwood spoon will last longer in the kitchen. For your first hardwood spoon, opt for a hardwood you can efficiently work with, such as cherry, soft Maple, or black walnut.
Here are some other best wood to use for wooden signs.
Why do chefs use wooden cooking spoons?
A wooden spoon has a firm, sturdy handle that makes stirring effortless and more effective—without the risk of the handle breaking. It also serves as a firm scraping tool for the sides and bottom of a pan. Also, it does not get hot when exposed to high temperatures. So, no need to worry about burning your hands.
Is bamboo wood good for making kitchen spoons?
Bamboo wood is a versatile choice, not only for kitchen spoons but also for crafting walking sticks. Its inherent strength and durability make it the best wood for walking sticks. Bamboo’s eco-friendly nature and lightweight feel also ensure a comfortable and reliable walking companion. However, it might not be the best wood to use for countertops. Despite its strength and eco-friendly properties
What types of wooden spoons are the best?
Wooden spoons carved from fruit-bearing trees, such as cherry, bamboo, Maple, etc., are the best for cooking. They’re eco-friendly, sturdy, and ideal for deglazing pots and stirring thick soups without breaking. They won’t scratch your pans, are durable, and won’t get extremely hot when exposed to high temperatures.
What is the best Wood for kitchen utensils?
Hardwoods. Hardwoods are the most common material used to make cooking spoons because they are thick and resistant to heat and breakage.
You can make great wooden spoons from olive Wood, soft Maple, Beech, Ashwood, walnut, bamboo, pecan wood, and cherry. These woods are suitable for kitchen utensils as they keep bacteria and other germs from your food.
Additionally, beechwood is an excellent wood for bird houses construction due to its ideal characteristics and durability.
The best Wood for kitchen utensils is about safety, durability, and effectiveness. It’s not about style or preferences because safety and efficacy should come first. Hardwood kitchen spoons are easy to clean and maintain without losing their original color.
Read also: what is the best wood for outdoor pergola?
Conclusion
The best Wood for cooking spoons is cherry, Maple, olive Wood, ash wood, beech, bamboo, walnut, etc. These woods will not leach out harmful chemicals that could contaminate your food.
Wooden cooking spoons are the go-to option for chefs and those who enjoy cooking. They are strong, durable, and environmentally friendly and do not alter the taste of your yummy food.