When do you use a wooden spoon

If you need an exact temperature for a larger amount of oil, use a thermometer. 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. And, unlike the "toss a drop of water in the oil" method, you won't have the crazy spattering.

While my favorite wooden spoons are my older ones, there comes a time when they might be too old for cooking, but that doesn't mean you can't find something else to do with them. A wooden spoon can be used as a plant stake or garden marker; you can write on the spoon or the handle, so you know which peppers are the really hot ones.

And I'm sure the crafty folks have other ideas. So, what unusual ways do you use your wooden spoons? Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data.

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Find the inspiration you crave for your love of cooking. I still have some from my grandmother," says Terhune. The chef also advises to always hand-wash wooden spoons. There is one important reason why you don't want to put wooden kitchen tools in the dishwasher. While they are strong and sturdy, they can crack over time if they're exposed to high heat for long periods of time.

The drying cycle , in particular, poses a threat to the longevity of a wooden spoon. Food particles can embed into the cracks, which can cause bacteria to grow. How often that is really depends on how often you use your spoons. If you use them regularly i. More often if they regularly come in direct contact with meat or other high-risk ingredients mentioned before.

The sanitization process itself is no fuss at all. Simply clean the spoons as you normally would and then lay them out onto a clean, flat surface. A baking sheet works great for this, but make sure it has a slight lip.

This kills any bacteria that may be on the spoons. Give the peroxide about 15 minutes to kill the bacteria and then rinse the spoons off in warm water.

Be certain that you hang the spoons up to dry properly before putting them away. But, if you have a particularly special spoon--like an engraved one--or you just like to keep your kitchen tools in magazine-perfect shape, you might want to oil your wood spoons.

Oiling your wood spoons is simple and it goes a long way in keeping them in like-new condition. It not only makes them look better, but it also prevents the wood from drying out over time, which can eventually lead to splintering. Just select a food-grade mineral oil and rub it onto the spoons. After applying the oil, there is no need to rinse.

Instead, just hang the spoons up to dry. To allow the oil to fully sink in and do its job, penetrating beyond the surface, you should not use the spoons until the oil has dried completely. Although pretty much unheard of in the USA, in Britain and many other commonwealth countries it is common to award a wood spoon for last place. It started at Cambridge more than a hundred years ago, and continues on for sports prized and perhaps most famously now in many British pub quizzes as a last place gift.