The 7 Best Wooden Spoons of 2023, According to Our Expert Testers

Our Favorite

In every test we ran, we were impressed by Jonathan’s Spoons Spootle. Whether scraping fond, breaking up sausage, stirring oatmeal, or serving, this spoon does it all with finesse and efficiency. The design is pretty enough to boast about while still being effective in myriad cooking tasks. The Spootle feels durable enough to last and we would recommend this wooden spoon for any level of cook.

Factors to Consider

Durability

A wooden spoon’s value is found in its ability to handle hefty tasks while having longevity in step with its price. A lot of this comes down to the wood type and design of the spoon. Does the handle width and length match the spoon head enough that it won’t snap when force is applied? Is the wood water-resistant enough to manage an accidental cycle in the dishwasher? Will it show wear and tear too early in its lifecycle? Some woods, like the teak of the FAAY 13.5-inch Teak Cooking Spoon, are practically indestructible, making it a great contender for most cooks of any level.

You are watching: The 7 Best Wooden Spoons of 2023, According to Our Expert Testers

Functionality

While the material and durability of a spoon can be a major deciding factor before your purchase is made, design, in terms of functionality, gives way to another set of options for any prospective spoon buyer. The spoon head can come in various shapes and degrees of roundedness. (Generally, the more rounded its head is, the better for stirring and serving). The lip of the spoon, its thinness, and whether the head of the spoon comes to a flat edge can determine its overall effectiveness when scraping fond or breaking up ingredients. Not to mention the depth of the bowl, which is another issue entirely — the deeper the bowl, the easier to serve from.

Cleaning

Most wooden spoons are better served by handwashing. Wood grain is often susceptible to water damage after some time, even when it’s meant to be water-resistant. The ideal wooden spoon is easy to clean well by hand and doesn’t show signs of wear and tear after just a few uses. If it’s essential that a spoon be dishwasher-safe, there are options like the Epicurean Chef Series Medium Spoon, which is made from richlite, a waterproof paper-based composite material.

The Tests

We tested 13 spoons in a wide range of materials, weights, lengths, shapes, and sizes to determine the best tool for any cook’s needs. Tests included recording general wear-and-tear on the spoon material, cooking and breaking up sausage, stirring and scraping while making oatmeal, and a durability test where we applied pressure to the handle. We ultimately rated each spoon based on performance, usability, cleanup, and durability during all these tests.

What Didn’t Make the List

Strong Contenders

OXO Good Grips Corner Spoon ($7 at Amazon)

Read more : Mastic vs Thinset for Backsplash: How to Choose

While the flat-headed design of this spoon made it ideal for breaking up ingredients like sausage and scraping fond off the bottom of a pan, its weight made it clunky and awkward to use.

Earlywood Long Server ($42 at Earlywood Designs)

We love how large the head of this spoon is, which made both stirring and serving a breeze. The only downside was that the wood wasn’t as durable as we would’ve liked.

Results Still Simmering

Five Two Wooden Spoons The Mix Master ($25 at Food52)

The design of this spoon is perfect for scooping; its narrow shape made it too small for serving.

OXO Good Grips Large Wooden Spoon ($7 at Amazon)

Read more : Blog

Like the OXO Good Grips Corner Spoon, our testers liked the shape of this spoon, but its weight made it hard to use efficiently.

Low Performers

Earlywood Large Flat Saute in maple ($18 at Earlywood Designs)

The design of this spoon is chic and offbeat in a way we appreciate, but it’s too difficult to use for most of the tasks we tested it with.

Material The Wood Spoon in walnut ($20 at Material)

A beautiful spoon that broke up the sausage well. Unfortunately, the lack of a bowl on the spoon head made stirring and serving inconvenient.

Our Expertise

This article was written by Christa Glennie. Glennie has been a freelance writer and food editor for nearly 20 years. She is also the author of two cookbooks and specializes in food and drink trends, agriculture, the regional foodways of Western New York, and the restaurant business. For this piece, she interviewed Chef Michael Andrzejewsk, a classically trained chef with several James Beard Foundation nominations. He currently works as the Chef de Cuisine at Fisher’s in Orange Beach, Alabama. With experience in professional kitchens responsible for the execution of French, Japanese, Mexican, and classic New American cuisines, he’d used wooden spoons from all over the globe for countless tasks.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens