Give these kitchen workhorses a little TLC – “Tender Loving Care”.
Besides the chef’s knife, wooden cutting boards, spoons and utensils are probably the most used tools in your kitchen. If you’re lucky, you’ve probably been cooking with the same boards and spoons for years.
While it’s important to give them a good clean with antibacterial dish soap and hot water (especially to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of bacteria), it’s also wise to keep them in good condition so they last longer. Because, as every entertainer and chef knows, wooden cutting boards, cheese boards and serving utensils come in very handy.
Oiling your wooden kitchen tools will prevent them from cracking and warping, make their surface smoother and can restore their original surface. And it requires very little effort.
First you will need some oil. But don’t reach for the one in your pantry. Unlike olive, canola, and other vegetable oils you can cook with, you’ll need a food-grade mineral oil that won’t oxidize and become rancid. Make sure the cutting board (or spoon) is very clean and let it dry completely. Using a clean tea towel or paper towel, spread a thin, even layer of mineral oil over the entire wood (front, back and sides) until it is completely covered. Place the board on another clean tea towel and let the oil soak in for a few hours or overnight. After the oil is absorbed, wipe off excess oil with a towel if necessary. Repeat the process if necessary.
To keep your wooden kitchen tools in good shape, re-oil them when they look dry. Dry them completely after washing. Wet wood warps and cracks, so never wash wooden cutting boards and other kitchen utensils in the dishwasher. Keep them clean, well oiled and dry and you will enjoy them for years.
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