what can i do with old wooden spoons

1. Keep them rustic. In a metal tin or a glass container, use your collection of wooden spoons as a rustic centerpiece or country bouquet.
2. Make them playful. Make cooking dinner a little bit more fun by dipping your spoons in some pretty paints! ...
3. Set up a display. Maybe you have a great collection if vintage spoons or you have a favorite spoon to use for every dish, either way you can easily ...
4. Give it light. Yes, you can even create a custom chandelier out of all your spoons! It is rustic, fun, yet simple and subtle.
5. Hang them up. It could be covering the wall or just a small fraction of space, but either way, hanging up your wooden spoons is an easy way to ...

Full Answer

What can you make with wooden spoons?

You can make little Santas Snow mans and other Christmas decorations out of wooden spoons. Interesting chandelier for your kitchen can be made also out of wooden spoons. We present you 25 creative craft ideas you can do with wooden spoons…

How can I reuse or recycle old wooden spoons?

Repurpose old wooden spoons as a garden helper! Use the handle to create holes for seeds to be planted in. Use a permanent market to mark off 1 inch increments on the handle so you know how deep you are planting your seeds. Wooden spoons make wonderful noise makers along with an old oatmeal container or a tin can filled with beans.

How do you take care of a wooden spoon?

If you really want to go the extra mile, you can rub a small amount of mineral oil into the spoon with a soft cloth, about once a month, to help keep the wood in good condition.

What can you do with old Christmas spoons?

Using large white Christmas lights, you can create beautiful light fixtures with your old spoons that can be hung indoors or out. Just gather the spoons together by the handles and cover each Christmas light with a bundle of spoons. Use heavy wire to hold them together and then hang them wherever you want a unique and lovely light fixture. 8. Clock

Can I recycle a wooden spoon?

Wood: You can likely cut, break, or saw your old wooden spoons into small pieces for composting — be sure to remove any plastic pieces first. Metal: These items offer the same reuse and recycling options as metal cookware. Plastic: Reuse is your best option for plastic utensils as recycling is problematic.

When should you throw away wooden spoons?

Wooden spoons can harbor bacteria as the years go on which can then add bacteria to your food. You can tell that it's time to replace your wooden spoon when the wood becomes soft, dark or the wood is cracking. These are indications that the wood is rotting from the bacteria covering it.

Why should you not use wooden spoons?

Wooden spoons are durable, but they can crack due to wear and tear or if you wash them repeatedly in your dishwasher. If your spoon cracks, food can get stuck in the crevices and cause bacterial growth that isn't as easy to clean away.

How do you rejuvenate wooden spoons?

To revive dried out spoons, periodically rub them with mineral oil or even walnut, tung, or linseed oil. Avoid using food-based oils like vegetable or olive oil because they have a tendency to go rancid.

Should wooden spoons be replaced?

Take care of your wooden spoons for long life Specifically, Her World recommends replacing your wooden utensils every five years or so. One clue that it's time to replace your spoon is if it has any cracks in it, as microbes and bacteria can live in them, raising the risk of spreading germs (via Southern Living).

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. Thoroughly cleaning any utensil, wood or not, after it's been in contact with raw meat, poultry, or fish is the only sure way to prevent contamination, according to Angela M.

Are wooden spoon sanitary?

Wood is naturally more antibacterial than any man-made material. Recent studies have shown that plastics and derivatives can harbor bacterial despite protective measures. Those scratches and dents in plastic harbor germs. Wood is easy to clean and protect from germs.

Can you wash wooden spoons in the dishwasher?

Wooden utensils, bowls, cutting boards, etc., should never go into your dishwasher. When wood is exposed to such high heat and moisture for a long washing cycle, it can warp, splinter and eventually break. Instead, wash wood items by hand using warm, soapy water and dry them with a towel right away.

Should you oil a wooden spoon?

Every now and then you should give your wooden kitchen utensils a coat of oil. This will form a protective yet flexible barrier that will help to control the wood's natural desire to fluctuate its moisture content.

Why do you boil wooden spoons?

Back in 2016, Matt Preston shared with delicious.com.au a handy hack for cleaning your wooden spoons. 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 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.

Can wooden spoon get moldy?

So hand washing wooden spoons has to be the answer. However, if you don't clean wooden utensils properly, they might soon become breeding grounds for bacteria and mold.

How often should you replace utensils?

One or two years of cooking love, and it's time to say goodbye to your pots and pans. "It's always a tell-tale sign that you need to replace your pans when they are no longer nonstick or if there is visible wear to the surface,” says Stapf.

How long does it take for wooden utensils to decompose?

The amount of time depends largely on where and how it is disposed of. If conditions are ideal, the cutlery could completely decompose in about 80 days. In drier conditions it could take much longer.

Can I reuse wooden utensils?

They wear down quickly and can't safely be used after washing. Disposable wooden utensils are also only expected to be used once, but their functionality doesn't go away after a quick rinse. If someone wanted, they could wash and reuse the wooden utensil before disposal.

What are wooden spoons made of?

How many other kitchen tools do you use that have changed so little since your grandmother's time? Sure, you can find them made from bamboo or fancy olive wood.

How to keep bubbles from foaming up when boiling?

If you're boiling something that's likely to foam up, a wooden spoon laid across the top of the pot will thwart the bubbles and help keep it from foaming over. It breaks the surface tension so the bubbles don't form, sort of like sticking your finger into a foaming beer to keep the foam from rising too high.

What to do if you live with small creatures?

Cabinet Deterrent. If you live with small, inquisitive creatures who like to open cabinet drawers, a wooden spoon across or through the cabinet handles can often be enough to thwart the creature from gaining entry. Of course, if you have an aggressive chewer, this could ruin a good wooden spoon.

Why do you leave the lid of a pot open?

There are times when you want to leave the lid of a pot slightly open during cooking to allow a little steam to escape , but trying to position a lid just-so on a pot isn't always easy. A wooden spoon in the pot or laid crosswise on the rim can serve to keep the lid vented.

Can you use a wooden spoon to make mini tart shells?

Mini Tart Shell Prodding. If you want to make mini tart shells, you can certainly use your fingers to press the pastry into the cups of the pan, but the handle of a wooden spoon doesn't have a pesky fingernail that gets in the way.

Can you roll a taco over a spoon?

You can roll them around the handle for a tube, drape them over the handle for taco-shaped crisps, or lay them on the spoon for gently curved bowls. Other foods that start off soft and pliable—like ice cream cone shells, pizzelles, or krumkake—can be draped over a wooden spoon handle to create a fillable taco-like shape.

Can you use a wooden spoon to test chicken?

But if you're just testing to see if your chicken will sizzle , the wooden spoon works really well. The nice thing about this method is that it works even when you've got a small amount of oil that would make it difficult to measure with a thermometer.

What to do with wooden spoons?

In a metal tin or a glass container, use your collection of wooden spoons as a rustic centerpiece or country bouquet. Leave them color free and act as those they are a piece of art adorning your kitchen or dining room table. With some yellow daisies or simple ribbon, this will be a fun and inexpensive way to dress the space.

Can you make a chandelier out of spoons?

Yes, you can even create a custom chandelier out of all your spoons! It is rustic, fun, yet simple and subtle. Over the kitchen island or breakfast table, this is an amazing project to dive into. Best part about this DIY is that no one else you know will have anything like it!

How to hang plants indoors?

1. Garden Hooks. You can create garden hooks for hanging indoor or outdoor plants by using your old spoons as well. Just bend them and flatten the spoon like you would do for the coat racks only instead of screwing them to a board, simply put them wherever you want to hang a planter.

How to make a tealight wind chime?

Create a tealight wind chime for your porch or patio easily using spoons. Use a small drill bit to create a tiny hole in the handle of each spoon and then simply insert wire to tie it to your base. You can use any sort of circular metal for the base.

What is the best wood for a wooden spoon?

RELATED: HOW TO CLEAN AND SEASON A CAST IRON SKILLET. Some of the best wooden spoons are made of lightweight, sturdy teak- which, not coincidentally, is also used in outdoor furniture that's frequently exposed to rain and wind. You'll also find them made from beechwood, oak, and other woods, and in varying sizes.

What are the drawbacks of wooden spoons?

Maybe the only drawback to wooden spoons is that they can retain the flavor of pungent foods, and if you're finding this happening, get another wooden spoon that looks slightly different to your original, and reserve one for sweet foods and one for savory.

How to clean silicone spatulas?

Instead, hand wash your spoons (or any wooden utensil, really, including silicone spatulas with wooden handles) with soap and warm water; then, ideally, dry with a towel instead of letting it air dry-you're probably getting the message that moisture is the enemy here.

Can you put wooden spoons in the dishwasher?

The two major don'ts when it comes to wooden spoons relate to water: soaking them and putting them in the dishwasher. If the wood absorbs too much water, it can swell and, eventually, crack. Plus, the dishwasher's high heat can warp the wood and make it lose its finish.

How long do wooden utensils last?

They can be used for all types of cooking. If well cared for, wooden utensils can last for years.

How to get rid of wood smell?

To reduce the smell, rub the wood en surface with the cut side of a halved lemon or with a paste made of baking soda and water. This will help neutralize the odor. If this is very bothersome, keep a separate cutting board and/or utensil for more flavorful foods to avoid flavor transfer.

How to clean wooden cutting boards?

Simple hand washing is best for wooden items. Blot freshly washed wooden utensils with a clean dishtowel, then allow them to air-dry completely before putting them away. If your wooden spoons or cutting board start to look dry or don't feel super smooth, periodically rub them with mineral oil or a beeswax compound.

What is the oldest material used in kitchen tools?

Wood is one of the oldest materials used to make kitchen tools, and for good reason. "Wood is naturally more antibacterial than any man-made object," says Brian Hayes, vice president of sales and marketing for Lamson & Goodnow, which manufactures kitchen cutlery as well as maple kitchen tools and accessories. "Trees naturally fight infection, bacteria, and mold, and even though it's no longer a living organism, the properties of wood are still the same; wood still has cells that don't grow bacteria or mold."

Can you wash wooden cutting boards in the dishwasher?

Hand-wash wooden utensils with hot water and mild dish soap. Although wooden utensils and cutting boards could technically be cleaned in the dishwasher, it's not a good idea. The high water temperatures in the dishwasher can dry them out and lead to cracks in the wood. Simple hand washing is best for wooden items.

Can you use wooden utensils on nonstick?

Wooden utensils are also among the best tools to be used on nonstick cookware, as they won't scratch the coating like metal utensils might. When they're made, most wooden spoons, utensils and cutting boards are treated with mineral oils, which creates an inert, neutral surface that will not allow bacteria to reside.

How to clean wooden spoons?

Clean your wooden spoons before you season them. Wash your wooden spoons with mild dish soap and warm water. Air-dry or towel-dry the wooden spoons until they are almost dry but still slightly damp. 2.

Why use wood spoons?

Wooden spoons have health benefits as well, since wood is naturally resistant to many types of bacteria.

How long does it take for wooden spoons to dry?

Rinse the spoons with warm water and allow them to dry completely. It may take two to three days for the spoons to completely dry.

Do you rinse wooden spoons after using them?

Rinse your seasoned spoons with warm water but not soap after using them. In order to avoid bacterial contamination, you should re-season your wooden spoons any time they are used to touch raw meat or eggs, or if they are washed with soap.