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Ten Reasons to Cook with a Wooden Spoon

When it comes to choosing a cooking spoon, the three most common types are wood, metal and plastic. Each material has its pros and cons but if you visit the kitchens of professional and casual chefs around the world, the kind you’d most likely come across is the wooden spoon – and it’s plain to see why:

1 - Wood cook spoons are gentle and won't scratch

Non-wooden spoons (metal spoons especially) are far more likely to scratch up the bottoms and sides of your pots and pans. For non-stick surfaces this is extremely problematic as food will start to stick to the bottom, making it more difficult to cook on the pans and clean them afterwards. Eventually you may just end up throwing the pot or pan out. Wooden spoons however are naturally soft and won’t scratch the finish on a non-stick pan or ruin the surface of cast iron/stainless steel pans, ensuring a long life of happy cooking.

2 - Wooden spoons are strong

Anyone who spends enough time in the kitchen knows that sometimes one of the most important ingredients in any dish is a little elbow grease. A good stir, flip or scrape allows all the contents to get the attention they need for balanced heat and flavoring, especially when sauces are involved. Wooden spoons give you a firm strong handle to hold, making stirring easier and more effective–and without any fear of the handle breaking. It also provides you with a solid tool for scraping things off the sides and bottom of your pan.

3 - Wooden spoons don’t conduct heat

When introduced to high temperatures, metal spoons can get really hot. Plastic spoons can begin to melt. Wooden spoons don’t conduct heat so you can stir until your heart’s content without fear of the handle heating up. Plus, if you happen to leave the spoon in the pan for a short time, you won't have to worry about it burning your hand or melting.

4 - Wooden spoons won’t react badly with your food

Wooden spoons are non-reactive, which means that the wood won’t adversely react with the acids in some foods or leave a nasty, metallic taste, like metal spoons often tend to do. Over time, plastic spoons can start to break down at the edges. This can result in leaving tiny pieces of plastic in the pan which isn’t at all appetizing. To ensure the purity of any recipe, there really is no substitute like wooden spoons or other wooden utensils for that matter.

5 - Wooden spoons won’t alter the cooking temperature

Believe it or not some spoons will actually absorb heat, and as a result, change the temperature of what you are cooking. This can be very problematic when you are cooking something that requires precise temperatures. It can mess with consistency, taste and in some cases completely ruin the dish. Wooden spoons are insulated so foods or recipes that may be sensitive to sudden temperature changes won’t be affected when you use them.

6 - Wooden spoons won’t leach harmful chemicals

Bacteria and germs are not huge fans of wood. In fact, wooden spoons are much safer than any other spoon thanks to their natural germ-killing properties. You’ll still want to make sure your spoon follows all FDA regulations and contains none of the harmful chemicals that can leach into food. Buy a wooden spoon that was made right and care for it correctly and you won’t have to worry about anything bad being introduced to your food or your family.

7 - Wooden spoons feel great

Nothing compares to the strong, sturdy and smooth grip of a wooden spoon. The handle just feels right in your hand. And the more you use it, the better it will feel. It's as if it becomes customized to your hand. This comfortable grip will allow you to stir easier and more efficiently, enriching your cooking experience that much more.

8 - Wooden spoons look beautiful

Classic, gorgeous and elegant, a kitchen full of wooden spoons never fails to make a good impression. Though adding décor may not be the most important aspect of a wooden spoon, cooking with some style certainly doesn’t hurt. Sometimes the right set of wooden spoons are what separates a good kitchen from a great one.

9- Wooden spoons are better for the environment

Wood is a natural, renewable resource, so if you’d like to cook in the most environmentally responsible way, wooden spoons should be your tool of choice. Plus, when you buy a wooden spoon that isn’t made using harmful chemicals, you’re eliminating the possibility of those chemicals leaking into the environment–and your home.

10 - Wooden spoons can sometimes retain flavors

If you’ve ever wondered why you could never quite replicate your grandmother’s tomato sauce, the spoon she used may be the answer. By consistently cooking the same recipe with the same wooden spoon, the wood may absorb the flavors of the dish and its ingredients. This is believed by many chefs to add a special, magical quality to the dish and ensures that the taste and quality remain perfect every time. It’s also this one-of-a-kind quality that can transform a simple wooden spoon into a precious family heirloom.