It’s true that if you don’t properly clean your wooden spoon, it will retain bacteria—but so will any other type of spoon. … Let wooden spoons air-dry after washing to ensure they are completely clean (dishtowels can re-contaminate wood and don’t thoroughly dry it), and you’ll have no reason to fear food-borne illness.
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What is wrong with wooden spoons?
However, research suggests wooden spoons are safe to use in your kitchen. Yes, wood is porous, and it may draw in liquids and oils from the food you’re cooking. However, one study found that those liquids—and any bacteria hiding in them—do not return to the surface once they’re wicked into the wood’s cells.
Why are wooden spoons bad?
Don’t use olive oil or vegetable oil because they can make wood musty. When you see wooden spoons or cutting boards be cracked, you need to remove them. It’s necessary to throw them away because food can be stuck in the cracks. Wooden tools also can absorb smell from food with a strong smell like garlic or oil.
Are wooden spoons toxic?
Cooking utensils can be made with a variety of materials such as plastic, silicone, bamboo, bamboo melamine resin, solid wood, and stainless steel. Among them, the most non toxic cooking utensil materials are solid wood and stainless steel.
Why are wooden utensils bad?
The disadvantage of wood utensils is that they are harder to clean than stainless steel or plastic cooking utensils. Additionally, if used in soups and sauces, the soup or sauce can penetrate the wood, which could make it necessary to replace the wooden utensil.
When should you throw away wooden spoons?
Though their ability to limit the spread of germs means wood products are safer to use over a longer period than their plastic counterparts, they don’t last forever. According to The Kitchn, you can tell it’s time to toss your wood utensils and cutting boards as soon as cracks start to appear.
Are wooden spoons better than metal?
Wooden spoons give you a firm strong handle to hold, making stirring easier and more effective–and without any fear of the handle breaking. … When introduced to high temperatures, metal spoons can get really hot. Plastic spoons can begin to melt.
How do you sanitize wooden spoons?
You can scrub the surface with the cut side of a halved lemon or with a baking soda and water paste. Or, you can simply sprinkle baking soda on them, generously squeeze lemon juice, and let the spoon marinate for a bit. Make sure to wash it off with soapy water, and let it fully air dry.
Is wood naturally antibacterial?
Wood and bamboo, however, have naturally antimicrobial properties that kill bacteria, even those that penetrate the surface.
What kind of wood is best for wooden spoons?
The best are hard, lightweight, durable woods, like beech, maple, or (the new eco-friendly favorite of many manufacturers) bamboo. Wood isn’t only naturally a little giving, but also softer on the hands, and, with time, it will slowly conform to the shape of your hand and pot.
Should you boil wooden spoons?
And even though we stick them in the dishwasher or give them a daily scrub, a simple hack has revealed our wooden spoons could actually be much dirtier than we think. … He suggests leaving your wooden spoon in a cup of boiling water for about 20 minutes, drawing oils out of the wood.
Is bamboo safer than silicone?
While the FDA has approved food-grade silicone as safe, there are still more tests to be done. For now, it is considered ok to use but glass, bamboo, and stainless steel are safer bets with the information we currently have. Additionally, not all silicone is created equal.
How long do wooden spoons last?
Take care of your wooden spoons for long life
Specifically, Her World recommends replacing your wooden utensils every five years or so. One clue that it’s time to replace your spoon is if it has any cracks in it, as microbes and bacteria can live in them, raising the risk of spreading germs (via Southern Living).
Should wooden spoons be oiled?
Wooden cutting boards need to be kept clean and daily maintenance is often a good scrub with hot soapy water after using. … Depending on how often you use your boards and wooden spoons, you should also give them an oiling to help maintain their surface and keep them from drying out.
Do wooden utensils scratch Teflon?
Wooden and bamboo utensils shouldn’t scratch your pans, but they’re not great for flipping patties or eggs because they aren’t flexible. They also won’t melt if left by a hot pan — but wooden selections can catch fire if you accidentally leave one alone on the stove, so be careful.
Do chefs use wooden spoons?
Wooden spoons are also good tools for more delicate cooking, too, such as stirring soups and sauces. However, the chef says it will be your go-to kitchen tool when you have to stir a particularly dense blend of ingredients. “This is your tool for anything that requires a little more muscle in the kitchen,” she says.