Stustainable Wooden Utensils In The Kitchen

Wood as a material is the better alternative for utensils used in the kitchen in comparison to plastic. Find out why and what you need to consider when using it here.

Kitchen utensils made from plastic should be avoided as much as possible in every household.

Chemicals contained in the plastic can get into the food through heating or wear and tear. This in turn has further consequences for the body, health and the environment.

- Plasticizers are often present in plastic. When heated during cooking or frying, these substances are released from the utensils and end up in the food. This can lead to hormonal imbalances and other harmful consequences.

- Microplastics can be released by cutting on a plastic board, by scratching the spatula or in a similar way on all plastic utensils. Microplastics thus enter our bodies and cause inflammation.

- Toxic substances are present in low-quality plastic. The utensils often melt during use due to strong heating, which causes certain chemical substances to dissolve in the food. One of these substances is melamine, which has been proven to cause liver and kidney damage.

Wooden utensils can be purchased inexpensively. One disadvantage of the wood is that it can small after what has been cut on it. This is because the oils from the cut vegetables, such as onions, can penetrate into the wood if there is not protection. A combination of vinegar and baking soda helps to take off strong smells on the wood. Simply apply the two agents to the utensil, leave it on there to do its work for approx. 15 minutes and then rinse with hot water.

For wooden cutting boards, natural protection can be ensured by oiling the cutting board.

Oiling can be carried out a few times a year. Various cooking oils can be used. I like to use coconut oil, which also leaves a nice scent. Alternatively, you can also use walnut oil, for example, which gives the wood an additional darker colour.

To oil the wood correctly, you should do the following:

- Cleaning: The board should first be cleaned and dried

- Oiling: Once the board is completely dry, a cloth can be used to apply the oil. The entire board should be oiled. If the wood no longer absorbs any oil, it means that there is enough on it.

- Waiting: After oiling, the board should be put to one side again so that the oil can be fully absorbed. After a few hours, you can check the board and, if necessary, remove the remaining layer of oil by gently cleaning it with warm water.

To apply, simply pour the oil onto a cloth and rub it into the board. This works best with a cotton cloth.

Other wooden utensils can also be oiled just the same way.

If the wooden board has been used for cutting animal products, it should be washed off with hot water to prevent the build-up of bacteria. Otherwise, it is generally best to wash the wooden board just with hot water immediately after its usage.

There are a few things to bear in mind when handling wooden utensils. For example, they should not be put in the dishwasher but washed with hot water immediately after use as previously mentioned. If there are remaining stains on a utensil, a little baking soda on a brush can help.

What to bear in mind when drying wooden boards:

Wood is a material that expands when went and contracts when it becomes dry. For this reason, it is necessary to moisten the wooden board on all sides to avoid deformation. In addition, the wooden board should also be dried on the long edge for the reason mentioned above.

Other alternative materials for kitchen utensils are stainless steel or food-grade silicone.