Thursday, May 7, 2009

How do you clean wooden utensils . . .?

Wooden spoons and spatulas never seem to dish wash really clean; is there a special method or a special soap for wooden spoon etc.
I just bought an expensive set of wooden spoons etc. and I hate using them because I can' t seem to get them really clean after using them for cooking.
Answers:
Never put your wooden utensils in the dishwasher. The harsh detergent can ruin them (causes splitting and splintering). Use warm water and liquid dish washing soap with a scrubby pad. And wash them right after you have finished using them. Never allow them to soak in dishwater. If they feel a little on the rough side you can use fine sand paper and rub over them gently to get rid of the roughness. Use a food grade mineral oil and rub the oil over the utensils about every 3 months to keep the wood from drying out. Never use vegetable oil, olive oil, etc. because those oils can go rancid and can ruin the wood. After a few treatments of mineral oil you won't want to use anything else. They become soft and worn after years of use. My favorite wooden spoon is the one my grandmother used in her kitchen. I'd say it's about 40 years old now. It's lasted much longer than any plactic or metal utensil I've bought.
Sandpaper.
Just hold them over an open flame. Works every time.
Clean them as well as you can with a course sponge and then let them soak in a little bleach and then rinse.
Hi there.found this info on iVillage's website:

In hot, sudsy water -- and scrub hard to really get rid of grease after each use! Rinse well, wipe, and let air dry. To reseason wooden utensils, warm a small amount of mineral oil over medium heat; brush each piece with it, coating completely; drain on paper towels until cool; and wipe.

To help preserve these tools, do not put them into the dishwasher or let them soak in dishwater. Utensils made from rubber or plastic and with nonstick-coated surfaces won't scratch pans either.

Another source:
http://www.thecookinginn.com/woodcare.ht.
I rub them off first w/dishrag, then put them in the dishwasher and they wash just fine. My spoons are from Pampered Chef and they don't stain and do wash up better than some varieties, however.

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