Your Favorite Wooden Spoon Is Trying to Tell You Something...

I am a creature of habit in the kitchen, especially when it comes to the utensils I use to cook. I have my favorite metal spatula, my favorite tongs, and my favorite wooden spoon. That’s pretty much it. The rest just sits there looking pretty.

The other day I looked at my wooden spoon—my perfect sauce stirrer, scrambled egg maker, mixer of all things—and it looked a little lackluster compared to the others. Dull. Dry. A little neglected. And I realized I had been so focused on what I was cooking that I forgot to take care of the tool that helps me do it.

{Top one doesn’t get used often, but the bottom one needed some love}

So I gave my wooden spoons some love. And today I’m passing that reminder on to you.

Here’s how I do it:

Daily cleaning: Wash with a mild soap and warm water, then let them air dry. That’s it. Simple. And please—do not put them in the dishwasher. The heat and prolonged moisture dries them out fast and they will crack. I’ve seen it happen too many times.

Every so often, disinfect: Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water. Use a rag to apply it all over the spoon, then rinse and let dry completely. Easy, effective, and nothing harsh going near something that touches your food.

Oil them: This is the step most people skip and it’s the most important one. Wooden spoons need oil to stay hydrated and avoid cracking. I use fractionated coconut oil or regular coconut oil because I’m particular about what I put on anything that comes into contact with food. Apply a thick layer with a dry towel, let it sit overnight, then wipe off any excess in the morning. You’ll notice the difference immediately.

One thing I don’t do: boil them to clean. Some people swear by it but in my experience it dries them out faster and brings you closer to cracking. Same reason I avoid the dishwasher. Wood and extreme heat are not friends.

Take care of your wooden spoon and it will take care of you for years. Treat it like the workhorse it is—because in my kitchen, that spoon earns its keep every single day.

{Now the bottom one almost looks better than the one that never gets used!}

Now go check on yours. It might be trying to tell you something!