Best Wooden Spoons for Cooking | Which Should You Buy?
In this article, we will not only review the best wooden spoons for cooking, but also why you should use them when cooking.
Wooden spoons are a staple when it comes to cooking across the globe. They are sturdy, reliable and are able to withstand high and low cooking temperatures.
They also will not melt if you leave them against a hot pan and they will last for years to come.
These spoons also do not have any harmful chemicals in them compared to other options in the market. Most wooden spoons are natural, while other types of spoons can introduce chemicals into your food when you cook with them.
Below, we will list out the top ten best wooden spoons to use when cooking. These were chosen based off of these qualities:
- How They Were Made
- Size
- Weight
- Cost
- Maintenance
Sur La Table Bamboo Spoon | |
OXO Large Wooden Beech Spoon Set | |
Sur La Table Bamboo Spatula Spoon | |
Anolon Teak Wood 3 Piece Set | |
OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Wooden Spoon Value Set |
Best Wooden Spoons 2019-2020
#1.) Sur La Table Traditional Bamboo Spoon
This wooden spoon is made from one single piece of bamboo. It is a very versatile spoon you can use for a wide variety of dishes. Whether it’s stir fry, pasta, scrambled eggs, etc. this is the spoon for you.
There are two available sizes:
- 12 inch
- 15 inch
The 15 inch option is nice to have if you’re cooking at extremely hot temperature. This helps reduce your risk of getting a burn. Also, both options have a hanging hole at the top for easy storage.
What is also important to note is this spoon does not have a laminated finish. Adding laminated finishes allows for chemicals to be introduced into your cooking.
Overall, bamboo spoons tend to last longer than other types of wooden spoons. They are sturdy and do not absorb flavors, or colors when comparing them to similar types of wood.
#2.) OXO Good Grips Large Wooden Beech Spoon Set
Beech wood spoons have similar quality when you compare them to bamboo wooden spoons. Many of them are made from one piece of beech wood and they last for a very long time. Our only complaint with this spoon is its natural oil finish. The description does not state what kind of oil the spoon has.
Through this link you will find many variations of spoons. be sure to look at the large, medium or small spoons. The large version seems to be compatible with most styles of cooking.
Again, this option gives you a hanging hole for easy storage and the bamboo will help make this a lasting item in your kitchen.
#3.) Sur La Table Bamboo Spatula Spoon
With this option you get two for one! Wooden spatulas helps for mixing and tasting. They also work well in non-stick pans when you need to break up ground meats, or something similar.
The spoon portion will also help with mixing, tasting nad cooking needs. This wooden spatula a nd spoon is a great all purpose addition to any kitchen.
Best Sets of Wooden Spoons for Cooking
#1.) Anolon Teak Wood Tools 3 Piece Set
These are some of the sturdiest wooden spoons you can buy on the market. They are made from one piece of Brazilian teak wood and can work well with all you cookware. With Anolo you get what you pay for.
#2.) OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Wooden Turner and 3-Piece Wooden Spoon Value Set
Oxo comes in clutch again with this wooden utensil set. These spoons are made from solid beech wood and have sturdy, comfortable handles for any job in the kitchen.
Best Wooden Spoons Overview
They Don’t Scratch
Wooden spoons do not scratch non-stick pans, or leave scars on similar copper pans. This makes them a great option to have when cooking dishes like risotto, scrambled eggs, stir fry etc.
They’re “Warm”
When you put a wooden spoon into a temperature sensitive recipe, they will not “shock” the current mixture and cause crystallization. They also are not conductive. This means they do not draw heat our of your dish and they will not burn your hand.
They’re Firm
Wooden spoons are firm enough to help cook stews and mix batters. Many other types of spoons can start to bend because they are of lesser quality. They are alos sturdy enough to scrape up brown bits at the bottom of pans at the end of your cooking session.
Heat Resistant
Wooden spoons will not melt when cooking at extreme temperatures, or when you leave it in a pot unattended. They can still burn, but even burned wooden spoons are usable compared to a similar nylon competitor. When nylon, or different types of plastic burn, they can release chemicals into the foods you cook.
Recipe Safe
Metal spoons can react with acidic foods and affect the flavor of your dish. Examples of acidic foods include tomato sauce and lemon curds. Wooden spoons do not affect the flavors of your food and they are unlikely to absorb flavors over time.
Are Wooden Spoons Sanitary?
For centuries, people have been cooking with wooden utensils. People began to stop using them in the 1990s when questions about bacteria began to arise. Research then told us cooking with wooden utensils could lead to bacteria growth on those utensils over time.
This is partially true. If you do not care for your wooden spoons correctly, you will run the risk of bacteria, or mold growing on them. This is especially true if your wooden spoon starts to crack due to extreme heat exposure, or old age.
The easiest way to crack your wooden spoon is to throw it in the dishwasher. The heat cycles on dishwashers are notorious for damaging all types of wooden cooking utensils.
So, even though wooden spoons are durable and versatile, they do some with some caveats. In order to avoid these, you must take care of your spoons in the correct manner.
Below we will show you some methods on how to properly clean and sanitize your wooden cooking utensils.
#1.) Wash by Hand
After you cook with a wooden spoon you want to wash it as soon as possible with warm soapy water. Preferably with a mild dish soap. Then pat dry it with a towel and let it air dry.
Never let your wooden utensils sit in water for too long before cleaning. The spoon will begin to absorb water casuing it to expand. Then it will start to contract once it starts to dry. This process can cause cracks and reduce the lifespan of the spoon.
#2.) The Lemon Method
If your wooden spoon has stains and soapy water isn’t cutting it, it may be time to pull out some salt. Once you rinse with warm, soapy water, pour salt onto your spoon. Next, you will scrub it with a half lemon.
This combination helps remove stubborn stains and it keeps your wooden cooking utensils smelling fresh. Once your scrubbing is complete, rinse with cool water and pat dry.
If a stain persists, it does not necessarily mean the spoon is dirty. Stubborn stains will eventually fade away.
#3.) Oil
Treating your wooden spoons with oil can help increase their lifespan. A quick rub down once in awhile can do wonders for it.
Conclusion
There are many wooden spoon options to choose from when shopping online. As of 2019-2020, we believe these are the best and most affordable wooden spoons on the market. Many times when you buy a product on Amazon, it comes from a non-reputable merchant. We chose these spoons based off of quality, reputation and personal use.
If you settle for cheaper options, many times you get what you pay for. Other times merchants cut corners and use chemicals which defeats the purpose of making these. Always read your product descriptions before you buy something. Whether it’s food or household products, reading labels can help you in the long run.
