All that charm and appeal can quickly fade if the bowl starts to look neglected, warped or cracked. To avoid this, all it takes is a little time, effort and understanding of these five secrets to properly care for your wooden bowl.
All wooden bowls need impregnation
Impregnation is the process of preserving the wood on your bowl. It’s about adding a fine protective layer that will repel moisture, heat and everyday wear and tear. This should be done as soon as you get your wooden bowl. You can use natural mineral oils found on the market, but for the best solution we recommend natural preservatives and wood conditioners, which we also use on our bowls.
Wooden bowls are not dishwasher safe
Of course, you can throw a wooden bowl in the dishwasher after use, but the wood will absorb an excessive amount of water, which can cause the fibers to curl. The harsh detergents used in most dishwashers will also accelerate the decay of the wood over time, so it’s best to always hand wash a wooden bowl with warm water and mild soap. Make sure you towel dry the bowl thoroughly and don’t air dry it, as wood with water on the surface will absorb moisture – which you don’t want.
Heat is not a wooden bowl’s friend
If you’re thinking about putting a wooden bowl in the microwave to reheat leftovers from last night’s dinner, it might be time to look for a new bowl. Wood does not tolerate heat well, especially extreme heat. It’s also not a good idea to leave a wooden bowl in direct sunlight for long periods of time, as the heat and light dries out the bowl, making it more susceptible to cracking and warping.
Better quality = longer life
It may not be exactly a secret, but it is something that too many people ignore when purchasing a wooden bowl. If someone told you that for a little more money you could buy a car that would perform better and last longer than a cheaper one, you would listen, wouldn’t you? Buying a cheap wooden bowl not only gives you a low quality that will be more difficult to maintain, but you could be using a bowl that is not food contact safe for your family. A quality handmade wooden bowl made from strong woods such as maple, cherry or walnut will save you money and health in the long run as it is food safe and won’t need to be replaced every year. Better wood means longer life and easier maintenance.
Like anything worth preserving, wooden bowls require maintenance
Following all of the above steps will certainly extend the life of your wooden bowl, but to keep it a part of your kitchen, you’ll want to regularly impregnate or preserve the bowl so that it always has a fresh protective layer. Some do it every month. Some do it every year. The more often you do this, the more confident you will be that your wooden bowl will be with you for many years to come. If normal wear and tear affects the bowl and it seems a little dull, you can always lightly sand the surface to restore the wood. This is a great way to breathe new life into an old bowl. After that, re-impregnation is mandatory to restore the protective layer.
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