Wooden utensils that last for years – spatula, spoon and tongs
Time: about 10 min
The wooden spatula, spoon and tongs get used every day and are gentle on your pots and pans. With a quick hand wash, a proper dry and a little oil now and then, they last for years.
Short answer
Wash wooden utensils by hand straight after use, dry them with a tea towel and let them air-dry completely before putting them away. Never leave them to soak and never put them in the dishwasher. Oil them at regular intervals, preferably with paraffin oil; Kockums specifies cooking oil. If the surface turns rough, sand it lightly with fine sandpaper and oil it again.
What you need
- Wooden spatula, spoon and tongs
- Warm water and a little washing-up liquid
- Tea towel
- Paraffin oil (PAO-050)
- Soft cloth
- Fine sandpaper
How to do it
- Wash by hand straight awayRinse and wash the utensils in warm water with a little washing-up liquid as soon as you have finished cooking. Don't leave them lying in the sink.
- Dry with a tea towelDry the utensils with a tea towel straight after washing. Get into the grooves, holes and corners where water likes to collect.
- Let them air-dry completelyStand the utensils handle-down in a jar, or lay them somewhere airy, before they go into the drawer. Damp utensils dry poorly in a closed drawer.
- Oil them at regular intervalsWhen the wood looks dry and pale, rub paraffin oil into the utensils with a cloth, let it soak in and wipe off the excess. Kockums specifies cooking oil for wooden utensils, and that works too.
- Sand away rough fibresIf the surface feels rough after washing, sand lightly along the grain with fine sandpaper, wipe off the dust and oil again.
- Look after them at the hobDon't leave the spoon or spatula sitting in a hot pan or resting against its hot rim – the wood can scorch and darken. Rest them on a small plate instead.
Common mistakes
- Putting wooden utensils in the dishwasher.
- Leaving them in the washing-up water while you do the rest.
- Putting them away damp in a closed drawer.
- Leaving the spatula sitting in the hot pan.
Why wood belongs in the kitchen
Wood is softer than steel and enamel, which is why Kockums recommends wooden utensils for enamelled pots and the enamelled frying pan. But wood absorbs water and swells, so it does best with brief contact with water and quick drying. Kockums' wooden utensils are made by a family-owned company in Germany, and natural variation in the wood makes each one unique.
FAQ
Why can't wooden utensils go in the dishwasher?
Long spells in hot water make the wood swell and can cause cracks and a rough surface. Wash them by hand and dry them straight away.
Can I use wooden utensils in a carbon steel pan?
Yes. Any utensil is fine in carbon steel, and for enamelled pots Kockums recommends wood, silicone or heat-resistant plastic to protect the enamel.
Why do wooden utensils go dark?
Over time wood picks up a patina from food, heat and oil. It is natural and doesn't affect how they work.
Why does my wooden spoon feel rough after washing?
The fibres on the surface rise when the wood gets wet. Sand lightly with fine sandpaper and oil it, and the surface will be smooth again.
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