The world of kitchen tools can be a chaotic one. There are different sizes, types, and materials–where can one begin? Luckily for you, we have a perfect starting point: wooden spoon kitchen tools. Read on to find out more about what this entails.
Why wood?
Wooden kitchen tools are great to have for a multitude of reasons, but we’ll give you the important ones. For one, they are fairly inexpensive. Combine this with their durability and you’ll have one wooden spoon in your kitchen for decades!
They also can be used in heat unlike some metal utensils you have to be careful with while cooking, and are sure to keep the rest of your pots and dishes pristine–with no scratches.
And, who doesn’t love a bit of rustic charm?
What are the different wooden spoons I might need?
While you might have a generic picture of a wooden spoon, it’s worth noting that each of them can have a different purpose. To maximize your wooden spoon usage, we’ve separated them into a few different categories with their characteristics:
Classic wooden spoon: as the prototype you probably have in mind, this is great for stirring and is versatile for most other tasks.
Slotted wooden spoon: the slots allow liquids to drain.
Wooden spatula: does exactly what a spatula would do!
Corner spoon: with one edge angled to reach the nooks and crannies of your pots and pans, this spoon is great for scraping.
Long-handled spoon: you guessed it–a long handle to reach into long containers!
Wooden tasting spoon: a smaller spoon for sampling your food.
Given this list, you can likely prioritize what you need most and look for those characteristics of a wooden spoon. In general, flatter spoons are better for scraping, while rounded spoons are better for stirring. Since the wood material may also vary from spoon to spoon, your best bet is to check which wood is most durable!
Speaking of which…
What kind of wood is durable for cooking?
While some wooden utensils may require some extra steps to preserve their state (such as oiling), utensils made for this wood are ready to go the second they hit your kitchen. Do you know what that means? Less work for you, more cooking to do!
Cherrywood
Teak
Olivewood
Some other popular wooden utensils are made of maple, beech or walnut.
Why might I need to oil my wooden spoons?
Oiling wooden spoons from time to time can prevent them from drying out and extend their lifespan. This also makes them less susceptible to absorbing food stains and odors, which provides a safe surface to re-use for multiple dishes. Mineral oil is a popular oil that people use to oil their wooden spoons. Typically, monthly oiling is considered to be good practice.
We can’t wait to hear what wooden spoon works best for you. Happy cooking!
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