Wooden bowls have long been cherished for their durability, natural beauty, and versatility in the kitchen. But to ensure that your wooden bowl remains in pristine condition for years to come, it's essential to know how to properly clean and care for it. Everything you need to know about maintaining your wooden bowl and keeping it looking its best is right here.

What Types of Wood are Food Safe?

When it comes to choosing a wooden bowl for food preparation, not all woods are created equal. Close-grained hardwoods are ideal for wood bowls, cutting boards and chopping boards as they are less prone to harboring bacteria.

On the other hand, softwoods like pine, cedar, teak, and rosewood should be avoided for wooden bowls as they can splinter easily, harbor bacteria, or taint food with an acrid taste.

GHW uses only locally and sustainably sourced hardwoods in all our food safe products; most often: Ash, Maple, Walnut and Cherry.

Why People Love Wooden Bowls

Wooden bowls offer a myriad of benefits that make them a favorite among home bakers, cooks and professional chefs alike. Their durability, heat resistance, and natural antibacterial properties make them a safe and hygienic choice for food preparation or serving.

Additionally, wooden bowls are eco-friendly, biodegradable, and can add a touch of warmth and charm to any kitchen. From salads to hot and cold dishes, wooden bowls are versatile enough to handle a wide range of culinary creations.

Basic Care and Maintenance

Proper care and maintenance are essential to prolonging the life of your wooden bowl.

We suggest avoiding the use of harsh detergents or abrasive sponges, the reason is that these will strip away the natural oils from the wood and possibly even leave behind scratches.

Instead, gently wash your wooden bowl by hand with warm water and mild dish soap, then dry it immediately to prevent moisture from seeping into the wood. Additionally, avoid exposing your wooden bowl to extreme temperatures or prolonged periods of moisture, as this can cause warping or cracking.

We do not recommend using your wooden bowl in the microwave, cleaning in the dishwasher or putting it in the oven (unless for cleaning sticky residue as noted below).

Restoring a Wood Food Bowl

If your wooden bowl is looking a bit worse for wear, you can easily restore it to its former glory with a few simple steps. Start by sanding the surface to smooth out any scratches or stains, then apply a liberal coat of food-grade oil (we recommend Odie’s Oil) to nourish and protect the wood. Allow the oil to soak in for a few hours, then wipe away any excess with a clean cloth.

GHW recommends Odies Oil products. This is the sealer / finish we use to finish almost all our products. Unless we specifically note it in a product description, all our wood bowls, cutting boards, vases etc. are finished with Odies products. We love them because the Odie’s products are versatile, durable, plant based products, that do not contain any toxic chemicals, solvents, catalysts, VOC’s allergens, or hardeners. They enhance the natural beauty of the wood and are food safe.

Dealing with Sticky Residue

If your wooden bowl has developed a sticky residue over time (usually from oil build up), there are two simple and easy methods to remove the residue.

Try scrubbing the bowl with a mixture of pumice (or salt) and lemon juice to safely dissolve the buildup.

The bowl should be “passively” heated to loosen the sticky buildup. Heat your oven up to about 230-250 degrees fahrenheit. Once the oven reaches temperature; turn the oven off, place the bowl upside down on a cookie sheet and place in the oven for between 10 - 60 minutes. (reminder the oven should be OFF). The residue will loosen and should be easily wiped away. Then, clean with a mild dish detergent and warm water; dry immediately. Once the bowl is completely dry, reapply a food grade oil (we recommend Odie’s Oil).

With proper care and maintenance, your wooden bowl can be a treasured kitchen companion for years to come. By following these simple tips and tricks, you can keep your wooden bowl looking beautiful and performing flawlessly for all your culinary adventures. So next time you're preparing a meal, reach for your trusty wooden bowl and enjoy the natural beauty and warmth it brings to your kitchen.