My wooden spatula has been through the wringer. It’s what I reach for when I need to scrape and deglaze a pan, it subs as a rice paddle when I can’t find my actual rice paddle, and it has been jostled through enough searing hot woks that it has a permanent burn mark across its handle. But despite its many years of use and some discoloration, it’s still perfectly functional. That being said, I’ve noticed some fuzzy edges where the wood has been weathered away, as well as scratch marks across its flattened face. That got me thinking — how can I ensure this spatula, my most-used cooking utensil, can remain my kitchen right hand forever?
How are wooden cooking tools made?
To understand how to make wooden cooking tools last, I first needed to understand how they’re made. Of course, this varies from tool to tool: Smaller items like bowls, spoons, and spatulas are typically shaped from a single piece of wood, which slightly changes how they’re cared for. You don’t have to worry that tools like these will splinter at the seams where they’re joined, so they’re more low-maintenance.
Cutting boards are a bit more complicated. “When you’re dealing with a cutting board, it’s often made of many different pieces that we call staves,” explains Sean Osborne, the marketing director at JK Adams, a family-owned business based in Vermont that specializes in handcrafted wood products. “Those are glued together and I think folks don’t realize that with humidity and things like that, wood naturally expands and contracts, so care becomes essential.” Items that are crafted with multiple pieces, like cutting boards, require more attention.
How do I care for wooden cooking tools so they last longer?
Because wood is a natural material, it’s susceptible to environmental changes. “If you live in a desert, the wood dries out,” says Liam O’Rourke, the general manager of Larch Wood Canada. “Or if you’re humidifying your house on a constant basis, then you might need to condition [wood] a little bit more than a place that’s more temperate.” Taking that step to condition your wooden tools is key to protecting them from the environment.
You can do this with a couple of different oils and waxes. “The most cost-effective would be mineral oil, which is a petroleum distillate, but it’s the most commonly used and it’s odorless and completely food-safe,” says Osborne. “What I recommend, in our line, are two products that are a combination of coconut oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax.” The maintenance is simple enough: You can use a microfiber rag to rub your oil of choice into the wood, and follow up with a wax to seal in the moisture and create a stronger barrier between the tool and outside factors. It’s similar to the way a post-shower skin routine works — using a face serum and then topping it off with a moisturizer is a great way to seal in the products and maintain your skin’s water and oil balance.
Speaking of post-shower, cleaning is also an important part of keeping wood strong and safe. “Never put wood in the dishwasher,” Osborne advises. “It tends to splinter the wood, and it’s far too hot for it.” Instead, use warm soapy water to wash away any residue and make sure to dry the wood immediately so it doesn’t warp. “If you’re cutting things that aren’t going to leave behind residues that are going to be harmful to you,” O’Rourke says, “I would recommend just using a damp cloth and wiping them down.” Wooden tools tend to dry out after they’re washed, especially with soap (again, like our own skin after a hot shower), so that’s another great opportunity to oil them up to keep them looking their best.
Both O’Rourke and Osborne recommend oiling cutting boards at least once a month. For other products, like spatulas and spoons, feeling and looking at the wood can help you determine whether or not it’s time for conditioning. “If the board feels dry to the touch, or looks dry from above, you can actually see that the wood fibers are dry,” says Osborne. “That’s when you should be oiling.” The only wooden product Osborne doesn’t recommend oiling is a rolling pin; wax should be enough to maintain the wood while keeping it nonstick.
What are the benefits of using wooden cutting boards and cooking utensils?
This is a purely aesthetic point, but they’re beautiful to look at. Larch Wood’s cutting boards have mesmerizing swirls and patterns that remind me of ribbon dancing. Because they use end-grain wood — which highlights the natural growth rings found within timber — each piece is unique. Wood is also naturally antimicrobial and, in the case of cutting boards, can be gentler on knives than plastic, and withstand the sharp edge of a chef’s knife.
What’s more, wood can last far longer than plastic or silicon. “When you cut plastic, it’s irreparably damaged. But if you cut into an end-grain wood that’s been sealed with a non-drying oil, those grains of wood are actually just going to spread apart and pop back into place,” O’Rourke explains. “That’s what sets our boards apart from a lot of what else is on the market, the fact that they do self-heal.” O’Rourke has noticed with his own cutting board that cut marks can easily be buffed out once the board is reconditioned.
Lastly, wooden tools are better for the environment. If you do need to get rid of your wooden spoon, cutting board, or rolling pin for any reason, they’re compostable — as long as they haven’t been sealed in plastic.
How long do wooden cooking tools last?
If maintained correctly, wooden cooking tools can last a lifetime and more — even though O’Rourke will admit that that’s not necessarily great for business. His own cutting board, which he’s had for 17 years, is proof that the product is designed for at least decades of use. “You might have to refinish it, but if you care for it well it’s kind of a lifetime investment,” he says. Osborne agrees. “With the correct application of care, it’s an heirloom item,” he says.
So if you, like me, have a workhorse wooden kitchen tool that you can’t live without, it’s time to give it the care it deserves. You might even be able to pass it on to the next generation of cooks.
Nicole Medina is a Philly-based illustrator who loves using bold color and detailed patterns to create eye-catching illustrations. Nicole likes drawing surreal imagery that tells a story and has a sense of adventure.
