Wooden spoons are one of the most commonly-used kitchen utencils but did you know they hide a dirty secret? … In the story, Matt suggested soaking your wooden spoons in a cup of boiling water for around 20 minutes to help release oils and liquids that have been absorbed into the wood.
How do you sterilize wooden spoons?
To sanitize your spoons, first clean the spoons with warm, soapy water. Next, lay the spoons on a flat surface — such as a clean baking sheet — and pour 3 percent hydrogen peroxide over them. Wait fifteen minutes, rinse the spoons off and hang them to dry.
What happens if you put a wooden spoon over boiling water?
A wooden spoon stops your pot from boiling over
It may stop whatever you’re boiling going over for a split second, which might be enough time for you to take the pot off heat or turn down the gas, but it won’t stop it from eventually spilling over.
Are wooden spoons safe to cook with?
However, research suggests wooden spoons are safe to use in your kitchen. Yes, wood is porous, and it may draw in liquids and oils from the food you’re cooking. … The best way to eliminate bacteria from the surface of a spoon—wooden or otherwise—is to wash it after cooking with soap and hot water.
How do you deep clean a wooden spoon?
Let your spoons soak in equal parts white vinegar and room temperature water overnight to really dig deep into the muck. This will also help remove any weird smells. Just soak, wash, and dry in sunlight.
Do wooden spoons hold bacteria?
It’s true that if you don’t properly clean your wooden spoon, it will retain bacteria—but so will any other type of spoon. … Let wooden spoons air-dry after washing to ensure they are completely clean (dishtowels can re-contaminate wood and don’t thoroughly dry it), and you’ll have no reason to fear food-borne illness.
How do you sterilize wooden utensils?
Five Ways to Clean Wooden Spoons
- Wash with soap. Always hand wash wooden spoons with water and soap and air-dry as soon as you’re done using them. …
- Treat with oil. It’s natural for your wooden spoons to look a bit dry. …
- Remove buildup with vinegar. …
- Combat odors with lemon or baking soda. …
- Sanitize with hydrogen peroxide.
Can you put wood in boiling water?
1. Steaming or soaking the wood in boiling water to soften it. … Keep pouring boiling water over the top every few minutes to keep it hot. Depending on the thickness of the wood, this should be kept up for anywhere from one to three hours to make the wood fully pliable.
Is it bad to put a metal spoon in boiling water?
Metals are generally good conductors of heat. For example, when we stir a pot of boiling water with a metal spoon, the spoon will quickly become too hot for us to hold with bare hands.
How do you make wooden spoons food safe?
Pick up a bottle of usp-grade (aka food-grade) mineral oil from the drugstore or hardware store.
- Step 1: Use a rag to apply a thick coat of the mineral oil to your spoons. Be sure to work with the grain.
- Step 2: Give the oil several hours to soak in.
- Step3: Then, come back, and wipe off the excess.
Do bamboo utensils hold bacteria?
Most types of wood, such as bamboo, are antibacterial by nature, which means it stops the further growth of bacteria. Still, wood is porous and it absorbs the oil and water from food. … In a nutshell, wooden or bamboo utensils are hygienic and safe to use.
Why is it bad to use wooden spoons?
The drying cycle is particularly dangerous to wooden spoons. Food can get stuck in those cracks and crevices, which can lead to bacterial growth you can’t easily wash or clean away. If your spoons start to show these signs of damage, it’s better to pitch them and start new.
Is it OK to soak wooden spoons in water?
After using a wooden spoon, first rinse it under warm water. Don’t soak it in dishwater, since dishwater can harbor bacteria that can get absorbed by the wood. Soaking can also cause wooden kitchenware to split or crack. Wash the utensil by hand.
How do you clean wooden spoons in boiling water?
Here’s the trick: Apparently, putting a wooden spoon in a glass of boiling water for a few minutes pulls out all the grease that’s hiding in the spoon’s tiny cracks and crevices.
Should you soak wooden utensils?
Don’t Let Them Soak Overnight
That’s a big no-can-do for wooden utensils. … Plus, food particles can seep into tiny cracks in the wood, allowing bacteria to proliferate and create a health risk. So it’s well worth your time and energy to always wash your wooden utensils after use; they’ll last a lot longer.