What Makes Wooden Kitchen Utensils Better Than Plastic Or Steel?
10 February 2025
Although wooden kitchen utensils certainly look pleasing to the eye, and are often very tactile and ergonomic, they are also a popular choice for anyone concerned about hygiene in the kitchen. Did you know that wooden utensils offer the following advantages when compared to plastic or steel? Because wood is a natural insulator, it doesn’t transfer significant levels of heat, making it far safer to use in the kitchen when dealing with high temperatures, than plastic utensils – which can melt – and steel utensils – which can become incredibly, and dangerously hot. Wood is a natural resource that it’s possible to replant, and manage sustainably. As a result, wooden kitchen utensils made from wood are by their very nature, ecofriendly and sustainable, unlike plastic kitchen tools, which are not biodegradable, and which generate toxic waste. With their naturally occurring antimicrobial properties, wooden utensils are resistant to bacteria, and help prevent germs from growing on them. When compared to steel and plastic utensils, wooden kitchen tools are a far healthier, safer option when dealing with food. Soft and abrasive, wooden utensils are very unlikely to cause damage to any other surfaces, tools or containers in the kitchen, and will never scratch any pots or pans with non-stick coatings. Not only does this help your utensils live longer, but it also preserves your cookware’s quality over time. Cleaning and caring for your wooden kitchen utensils To get the most out of your tactile, attractive and hygienic wooden kitchen utensils, you must clean and maintain them mindfully. While some materials, such as plastic and steel, can be subjected to aggressive washing, wood demands a gentler approach. Begin by scraping any residual food off the wooden utensil with something soft, such as a brush or wooden spatula. You can then wash them using warm, soapy water, before drying them with a cloth immediately. Soaking your wooden kitchen utensils in water can cause the wood to become swollen, and then it may warp, rendering them useless. Note that dishwashers may also wash wooden utensils at too high a temperature, causing them to crack and split. For wooden utensils with stubborn stains or which are highly tainted with strong odors, you can mix salt with lemon juice, make a paste, and apply it to the utensils. Leave the paste to work its magic for a few minutes, then rinse well under warm water, and let them air dry fully, before putting them away in a place that’s both cool and dry. This will help preserve your wooden kitchen utensils, and keep them hygienically clean. You may also wish to apply linseed or mineral oil to them every once in a while, to nourish the wood and protect it from cracking, which also helps them stay shiny. Fortunately, there is a wide range of wooden kitchen utensils available today, meaning that you never need to choose plastic or steel when shopping for utensils again; avoiding toxins and other issues that have been discussed above.
