How to Season Wooden Cooking Utensils

Properly seasoning your wooden utensils will help them last many years.

Wooden cooking utensils, like plastic utensils, will not scratch your cookware. Plastic cooking utensils will eventually wear out, look bad and have to be tossed into the trash. Wooden utensils will last for decades with the proper seasoning. If you have some old wooden utensils handed down by grandma, or have just purchased a new set for your home, it is imperative that you give these items the proper seasoning before you use them the first time and on a regular basis after that to ensure a long life.

Things You'll Need

• Food-grade mineral oil
• Soft cloth or paper toweling

Instructions

1. Wash your wooden utensils once you have them home from the store. Do this by using a mild dish-washing detergent and warm water. Rinse well, and dry with a clean towel and then allow it to air dry for a few hours.

2. Purchase food-grade mineral oil, as suggested by the Fantes website. (see ref 1bullet 1) You can purchase food grade mineral oil at pharmacies, groceries and discount stores. You will probably have to look in the area with the laxatives, this is a common use for mineral oil, but don't worry, it won't affect your family's health. Mineral oil has no taste or odor and will not turn rancid, so it is a perfect seasoning for wooden utensils.

3. Pour the mineral oil onto a clean cloth or paper toweling. Use a generous amount.

4. Rub the oil into the wooden spoon or other utensil, until it is thoroughly saturated and will not absorb any more oil.

5. Allow the oil to soak into the wooden utensils for at least five minutes, or even as long as overnight, as suggested by the Crafty--Owl website. (see ref 2 step 4 last 3 sentences)

6. Wipe the excess oil off the utensil and it is ready for use in cooking. If there is no excess oil to wipe off, the utensil may have very dry wood and the process needs to be repeated.

Tips & Warnings

• When your wooden utensils start to appear dull or dry, or they lighten in color, it is time to re-oil the pieces. Typically, this should be done every two or three months to maintain the wood.

• Never wash your wooden utensils in a dishwasher, the high heat and moisture will cause the wood to crack and will eventually destroy the piece.

References

• Fante's Kitchen Wares Shop: Wood Care
• Crafty--Owl: How to Care for Your Wooden Kitchen Utensils

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish