Wooden serving trays and platters – care after a party
Time: about 20 min
After a party the trays are often left with marks from wine, sauce and butter. Ten minutes of care the same evening keeps them looking good for next time.
Short answer
Clear the tray and wipe up spills as soon as the party is over. Wash it by hand in warm water with a little washing-up liquid, never leave it to soak and keep it out of the dishwasher. Dry it straight away and stand the tray on edge until it is completely dry. If the wood then looks dry, oil the whole tray with paraffin oil.
What you need
- Wooden serving tray
- Washing-up liquid and warm water
- Soft sponge or dish brush
- Tea towel
- Paraffin oil (mineral oil)
- Clean cotton cloth
How to do it
- Clear and scrape off leftoversRemove food, crackers and butter papers as soon as the guests have left. Gently scrape off dried-on bits with a wooden spatula rather than a knife, so you don't mark the surface.
- Wipe up spills straight awayWine, sauce and melted butter left overnight are harder to shift. Wipe them up with a damp, well-wrung cloth the same evening.
- Wash by handWash the tray in warm water with a little washing-up liquid and a soft sponge or dish brush. Hold it under the tap rather than submerging it in the sink, and never put it in the dishwasher.
- Dry and stand on edgeDry the tray with a tea towel straight away, including the underside and any handles. Then stand it on its edge so air reaches both sides until it is completely dry.
- Oil once the wood is dryIf the surface looks dull and pale, spread paraffin oil over the whole tray with a cloth, underside included. Wipe off the excess and repeat until the wood is saturated.
- Store it dryOnly put the tray away once it is completely dry, in a dry cupboard. Don't stack damp trays and platters on top of each other.
Common mistakes
- Leaving wine and sauce spills on the tray overnight.
- Soaking the tray in the sink or putting it in the dishwasher.
- Stacking trays and platters before they are completely dry.
- Scraping off dried-on food with a knife and leaving scratches in the wood.
Why wood needs to dry in peace
Wood takes up moisture and gives it off again. A tray left wet swells on one side, and if it then dries quickly or unevenly it can warp. Paraffin oil is a non-drying oil that saturates the wood, so water and spills don't soak in as easily.
FAQ
Can a wooden tray go in the dishwasher?
No. Wood should be washed by hand; in a dishwasher it stays wet and hot for a long time, which can make it crack or warp.
Which oil should I use on a serving tray?
Paraffin oil, which is made for indoor wood and suits most types of wood. For beech utensils, Kockums specifies cooking oil.
How often should the tray be oiled?
Whenever the wood looks dry, dull or pale. A tray that is washed often needs oiling more often than one that mostly sits on display.
Should the underside be oiled too?
Yes, oil the whole tray. That way both sides take up and release moisture at the same pace.
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