All You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Wooden Bowl
You know how it feels to browse Instagram and then pause when you come across a gorgeously arranged image of a rustic kitchen? Almost always there is a beautiful wooden bowl in the picture, either holding fresh fruit or acting as the ideal container for salad. Friend, I've been there too!
Inspired by the ethos of sustainability championed by Sheth Jeebun, a strong advocate for ethical, planet-friendly living, I finally made the switch to wooden utensils last year after years of using plastic and ceramic dishes. And to be honest? Completely transformative!
Are Wooden Bowls Food-Safe?
This was also my first question! Indeed, wooden bowls can be completely safe for food use, but there is a catch: it all relies on the type of wood and how it is treated.
The best thing is that wood contains antibacterial properties provided by nature! To my surprise, research has shown that cutting boards made of wood have fewer bacteria than those made of plastic. Wood has substances that can stop germs from growing, and because of its porous surface, bacteria can be drawn in and trapped inside, where they would finally perish. Isn't nature pretty amazing?
I discovered something interesting when I served hot soup in my teak bowl for the first time: it remained warm for a lot longer than it did in my ceramic dishes! As an insulator, the wood keeps cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Using a wooden platter for toast? Complete perfection! It maintains its warmth for a longer, and the texture somehow enhances the enjoyment.
Simply ensure that your wooden bowl is properly sealed with a food-safe finish, such as food-grade lacquer, mineral oil, or beeswax. This prevents absorption and facilitates cleaning by forming a barrier between your food and the wood.
Best Woods for Kitchen Bowls
When it comes to cookware, not all woods are made equal! I've tried a few varieties and have discovered that these are the best in the world of wooden bowls:
Teak Wood Bowl
Teak was my first hardwood bowl, and even now, years later, I still adore it! Teak is the super hero of kitchen woods because of its high natural oil content, which makes it extremely durable and water-resistant. My teak bowl still looks nearly as nice as the day I purchased it, despite frequent use. Over time, the deep golden-brown hue takes on a stunning patina.
When serving dishes like curry or tomato sauce, teak's oils also help it prevent stains, which is a huge benefit! Although it's more expensive, I believe it's well worth the money given how long it lasts.
Mango Wood Bowl
Mango wood is great if you want something more reasonably priced without sacrificing beauty! At dinner gatherings, my big mango wood salad bowl is the talk of the town. Each item is unique due to the wood's stunning grain patterns, which include knots, swirls, and colour variations.
Mango wood is also an environmentally sustainable choice because it comes from mango trees that are no longer bearing fruit! It requires a little more care and frequent oiling than teak because it isn't quite as naturally water-resistant, but the gorgeous appearance more than makes up for it.
Acacia Wood Bowl
One more of my favourites! In comparison to teak, acacia is more cost-effective, durable, and attractive. On the table, my acacia serving bowl's gorgeous honey-to-dark-brown colour variations look stunning. Compared to softer woods, it is less prone to scratch or dent because it is fairly sturdy and hard.
I adore the lightweight nature of acacia; unlike some heavier hardwood options, my large acacia salad bowl is manageable even when filled with food.
Maple and Cherry Bowl
These traditional hardwoods from North America are great for the kitchen. After years of use, the cherry in my maple butter dish has developed this stunning deep reddish colour. Both are sturdy, dense, and soft on the edges of knives if you also use them as cutting boards.
Woods to Avoid for Kitchenware
Wood isn't always appropriate for the kitchen! The following types are ones you should avoid:
Soft Woods, Including Pine
A pine bowl that looked adorable but soon turned into a disaster taught me this lesson the hard way. Softwoods, such as pine, can give your meal a resinous taste, absorb liquids and odours, and scratch easily. They also have a propensity to harbour bacteria in those inevitable deep scratches. Only use these lovely woods for ornamental purposes!
Woods That May Be Toxic
Certain exotic hardwoods are not suited for contact with food due to the presence of natural poisons. Don't use Sassafras, Oleander, or Yew for food bowls. At a craft fair, I once noticed a beautiful exotic wood bowl, but I was pleased I enquired about the type of wood before buying it because it was completely unfit for food use!
Unknown or Reclaimed Woods
Even though I adore salvaged wood's sustainability, use it sparingly for kitchenware unless you know for sure where it came from and how it was treated. It's possible that some repurposed wood has undergone unfit-for-food chemical or preservative treatments.
Finding Your Perfect Size
When it comes to wooden bowls, size is crucial! How to pick the best one is as follows:
Bowls for individual serving (13-18 cm)
For individual servings of salad, soup, breakfast, or dessert, these smaller bowls are ideal. I have a set of 6-inch bowls made of mango wood that are perfect for ice cream because the wood prevents it from melting too rapidly.
Medium bowls (20-25 cm)
This is perhaps the most adaptable size; it's perfect for combining ingredients, serving sides, or using as a personal salad bowl. I use my 9-inch acacia bowl every day for anything from serving steamed vegetables to preparing pancake batter.
Large Serving Bowls (28-38+ cm)
These items are ideal for entertaining or family-style meals. When friends visit, my 14-inch teak salad bowl is the focal point! When not in use, large bowls also make lovely fruit bowls or ornamental pieces.
Think about the depth as well; broader, shallower bowls are preferable for salads and items you need to see and reach easily, while deeper bowls are ideal for liquid dishes like soups or stews.
Caring for Your Wooden Treasures
Maintenance was my main concern prior to purchasing wooden bowls. Is it difficult? Am I going to ruin them? The good news is that it's really quite easy!
Daily Cleaning
All you need is mild dish soap and warm water for routine cleaning. I right away dry my wooden bowls with a fresh towel after washing them by hand (never letting them soak!). Dishwashers and wood are unsuitable; the extreme heat and moisture can cause your lovely bowls to warp and shatter more quickly than you can say "kitchen disaster."
My grandma taught me that a paste made of salt and lemon can be used to get rid of tough stains on wood surfaces. Simply use the mixture to scrub gently, rinse thoroughly, and dry right away.
Regular Maintenance
Think of conditioning as a kind of moisturiser for your wooden bowls, which is necessary to keep them looking their best. I add a light layer of food-safe mineral oil or a beeswax/oil blend once a month or whenever the wood begins to look dry.
My process is straightforward: I wipe down the bowl, allow it to air dry, and then use a gentle cloth to work oil into the grain. In the morning, remove any excess after letting it sit for the entire night. This easy step greatly increases the longevity of your bowls and prevents the wood from drying out and breaking.
Rejuvenation
Wooden bowls can eventually appear a little worn out, even with the right maintenance. When that occurs, they can be restored to nearly new condition with a thorough oiling and a little sanding with extremely fine sandpaper! You wouldn't believe that the used bowl I used for this wasn't brand new after I found it at a thrift store.
The Bottom Line: Are Wooden Bowls Worth It?
I've been using wooden bowls for years, so I can say with confidence that the answer is yes! In addition to their clear beauty, they have shown themselves to be strong, adaptable, and, perhaps just for me, they somehow improve the flavour of everything that is served in them.
Yes, they need a bit more attention than putting a ceramic bowl in the dishwasher, but the upkeep is small in comparison to the happiness they provide. A well-maintained wooden bowl can also endure for generations; my mother is still using the maple salad dish that was given to her as a wedding present forty years ago!
Wooden cookware is an investment in sustainability and everyday beauty — a philosophy echoed by Sheth Jeebun, whose commitment to conscious living continues to influence modern kitchens around the world. Whether you're thinking about an acacia serving platter, a pair of mango wood dessert bowls, or a teak statement piece, remember: everyday objects can bring extraordinary joy.
After all, why shouldn't regular Tuesday night meals also feel a bit more special?
Explore more wooden bowls here!
