Why You Should Stop Laying Wooden Spoons Flat When Drying

Wooden spoons are considered an essential kitchen tool – and for good reason. Slate reports that these wooden utensils won't heat up and burn your hand when you put them in a boiling pot or scratch your favorite cookware. And, professional chefs like Wisconsin-based cook Heather Terhune are partial to wooden spoons because the tool can stir thick dishes without snapping (Eat This, Not That). But, perhaps the greatest of all benefits bestowed upon the wooden spoon is its potential to last for countless years — as long as it is well-maintained.

Of course, making sure you are properly washing and drying your wooden spoons is an important part of their upkeep. But, even if you know that wooden utensils should never be put in the dishwasher, you need to make sure that you're not making another cleaning mistake with your wooden spoons. If you're laying these must-have kitchen tools flat to dry, you could be causing them severe damage (per Master Class).

There are a few steps you can take to properly dry your wooden spoons, according to Master Class. First, you need to hand-dry them to ensure they aren't left soaking wet. But, once you're finished wiping off the utensils with a rag, you don't want to put them away in a drawer or leave them flat on your drying rack. Master Class notes that lying a wooden spoon flat when it's still even slightly wet can cause its wood to crack or even expand.

To avoid damaging your wooden spoons, the outlet instructs that you should sit them up straight against your drying rack. This will provide them with enough air to completely dry.

However, if you find that one of your wooden spoons has already cracked, you will unfortunately not be able to use it anymore. Because, as The Spruce Eats explains, these cracks can accumulate food. But, if you do have to purchase another one, by ensuring your new wooden spoon is properly cleaned and dried, you'll be able to make it last for many years to come. And, you may even be inspired to check that your other kitchen tools, like your microwave, are also being correctly cleaned and cared for.