In the kitchen, wooden bowls are all the rage. They look great in any environment, and the best part is that you most likely don’t need to worry about a lot of chemicals or who knows what leaking into your food.

The risk of the wooden bowl drying out, cracking, or catching fire makes it unsafe to place any kind of wood in the microwave.

This article explains why putting wood in the microwave is a bad idea so that you can prevent a fire and a potential kitchen disaster.

Wooden Bowl Basics

Although they’ve long been a popular decorative item, can you eat from wooden bowls? If you can microwave wood bowls, let’s start at the beginning and work our way up to the core of the problem.

Are Wooden Bowls Safe to Eat Out Of?

Most wood bowls are suitable for eating out of as long as they are properly maintained. Otherwise, they are merely works of decorative art for decorating tables.

Wet or liquid foods are typically not served in wooden bowls; instead, dry foods are. The moisture in thin soups, sauces, broths, and dressings will permeate the wood grains and cause swelling, cracking, and splitting.

Is It Ok to Serve Hot Food in a Wooden Bowl?

In a properly cared-for wood bowl, you can safely serve hot food. It is safe for holding and serving hot food as long as the bowl is taken care of and maintained in good condition.

In spite of this, we do not advise pouring hot liquids or boiling water into wood bowls because doing so could harm the wood in the long run.

Is It Ok to Microwave Wood Bowls?

A common misconception is that just because a container or dish is food-safe, it must also be microwave-safe.

All of us are aware that styrofoam and metal cannot be heated in a microwave.

It’s also crucial to understand that it’s risky to microwave paper cups, paper plates, and other environmentally friendly disposable items.

Wood falls into this category because not all food-grade materials can be relied upon to be secure in the microwave. However, given that wooden utensils are frequently used in cooking, why can’t we simply zap a wooden bowl in the microwave for a brief period of time?

In the sections that follow, which contain pertinent questions, we will delve a little more deeply into this idea. Stay with us as we examine the response to this question more methodically and examine each response separately.

Why is It Not Safe to Put Wood in the Microwave?

The fact that a wooden bowl cannot be microwaved is the root of the problem. No matter how special the finish or whether the bowl is food-safe, you cannot microwave it.

Let’s examine the reasons why it is not advised; you might be surprised to learn that there are several of them.

Most importantly, when zapped in the microwave, a wooden bowl will become extremely hot. While the heat from a microwave-safe container is probably something you are accustomed to, wooden bowls actually get much hotter.

In just a few seconds, a wood bowl will become extremely hot to touch, let alone hold and carry. The result is a safety hazard, which brings us to our next problem.

If you grab a hold of the hot bowl with a barehand, you may burn yourself. The natural reaction may be to drop the bowl and the contents could spill, splatter or even scald you.

Although wood rarely sparks in the microwave, it is possible if the appliance is left unattended for an extended period of time.

Do not subject wood to direct flame or high temperatures as it is a flammable material that could instantly catch fire. Worst case scenario, it may ignite into a kitchen fire, at bare minimum it could ruin your bowl.

Food is heated by microwaves by stirring up water molecules, which cause friction and produce energy that is then converted to heat. Wood naturally contains water, and on occasion oil is added to the seasoning process to prevent drying out.

Wooden bowls that have been heated will eventually dry out because of water evaporation.

Despite the fact that you might not be fully aware of it, the moisture content of wood will have a significant impact on how well the wood will heat.

Water expands in the wood as it heats up by producing steam that seeps through the surface.

The wood warps and cracks as it dries out. The harmful effects make the wood incredibly brittle and vulnerable to deterioration.

It is quite possible that you could microwave your wood bowl once or twice and not notice any differences, however prolonged exposure and repeated microwaving will eventually crack, damage or warp your bowl.

You risk breaking your bowl in addition to getting badly burned by the extremely hot wood. Why not transfer your food to a microwave-safe dish rather than taking this risk?

How to Properly Care for Wooden Bowls?

Hold on for a moment before you never again use your wooden bowls. They still make wonderful additions to tableware at home, even though you shouldn’t microwave them.

To ensure that wooden bowls last a lifetime, it is crucial to learn how to properly care for them. Compared to your porcelain bowls, wooden bowls need special care. But I believe it will be worthwhile. So, here are some suggestions for taking good care of your wooden bowls.

Season Your Bowl

I suggest seasoning your wooden bowls the same way you would a carbon steel pan. Your bowls’ seasoning will go a long way toward preserving the wood. A layer will form during seasoning that will shield the wood from heat, grit, and oils.

The majority of bowls may already be seasoned, but if not, season it as soon as you get it. Natural wood preservers and conditioners can be used to season your bowl, as well as food-grade mineral oils. Reseason your bowl every few months or whenever you feel the seasoning has worn off and it is necessary.

You can easily season your bowl. To begin with, make sure your bowl is completely dry. Next, using a soft cloth or paper towel, liberally coat your bowl with mineral oil. Let it soak for at least 15 minutes and preferably several hours. Your wooden bowl will be in perfect condition once you’ve rested it and removed any extra oil.

Clean and Dry Well

Be sure to thoroughly clean your bowls after that. You can accomplish this by immediately washing it in warm water and mild dish soap after using it. Drying your bowls right away after washing them is also a good idea. Keep your bowl from being submerged in water because it might soak up water and swell.

You should use a cloth towel to dry off your wooden bowl. Then leave it on your counter to fully air dry. It is frequently advised to avoid natural drying because it might actually absorb too much water. Use your towel to soak up the majority of the water.

When fully dried, your wooden bowls can be kept in a spotless, well-ventilated cabinet. The strength and durability of wooden bowls and plates will surprise you, so don’t be afraid to stack them.

Avoid the Dishwasher

You are already aware that water and wooden bowls do not make the best of friends. In light of this, it should go without saying that you shouldn’t wash your wooden bowls in the dishwasher.

Washing your wooden bowls in the dishwasher for the initial few cycles might seem appropriate and secure. The wood of your bowls will begin to strip and dry over time as a result of the heated water and harsh chemicals. Your wood starts to deteriorate and might even start to wrap or crack, reducing the lifespan of the material.

Dishwashers are great for washing most things, but it’s preferable to use traditional methods for cleaning wooden bowls.

Why Did My Wooden Bowl Crack?

For many different reasons, wooden bowls can crack. The majority of the time, this is due to your wooden bowl being exposed to moisture or high heat for an extended period of time.

Additionally, storing wooden bowls where the temperature and humidity are constantly changing will weaken the structure of the wooden bowls.

How Long Do Wooden Bowls Last?

Wooden bowls can last for several decades or even up to a century if they are properly maintained, including routine cleaning, oiling, and buffing.

See if you can microwave wax, wax paper, or waffles by reading some of our other articles.

Conclusion

Wooden bowls are elegant, durable, and environmentally friendly kitchenware. Wooden bowls should never be used in a microwave, regardless of how durable they are.

The risk of warping, splintering, and cracking increases when wooden bowls are exposed to high temperatures. In the worst case, wooden bowls might burn.

Keep your wooden bowls out of direct sunlight and heat, and wash and dry them by hand after each use if you want to keep them in good condition.

Check the following guides to learn what kind of materials can be put in the microwave!

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