Caring for your wooden spoons

5 simple rules to keep your spoons looking & working great

1. Wash by hand in hot water and then dry
them with a towel
2. Never put them in the dishwasher
3. Never let them soak in water
4. Keep away from extreme heat and open
flame
5. Oil liberally when they start to look dry

How to season and oil your spoons when they start to look dry

1. Make sure your spoons are fully dry
2. Coat them in as much oil as they will
absorb
3. Let them sit for at least an hour (or even
overnight!)
4. Wipe off any extra oil with a towel
5. Repeat any time they look like they need it

IMPORTANT: For oil, make sure to use a food quality (FDA approved) mineral oil or butcher block oil (or oil and wax combo). Both are available at your local grocery store. You should NOT use olive oil or cooking oil because these can go rancid over time. Also, oil is generally better than wax because although wax feels nice to the touch, it will melt off the first time you use your spoon to stir something hot.

The simple rule-of-thumb I learned is to "oil your spoons once a week for a month, once a month for a year, and then once a year thereafter." This not only helps to keep them looking fresh, but also provides protection against the wood drying out and cracking. Here is how to do it:

What to expect as your wooden spoons age

We all get a little rough around the edges as we age and are put to good use, and spoons are no different. You should expect that your spoons will change color slightly over time and develop a beautiful patina from repeated use. They will probably also develop some knicks and dings as you tap them against the rim of your saucepan or some burn makes as you leave them a little too close to the stove.

These marks are the tell-tale sign of a well-loved spoon and what makes them so special to use, cherish, and maybe even hand down to the next generation of cooks in your family!