Are Wooden Utensils Better Than Plastic? Your Complete Guide

When shopping around for utensils, whether it be for cooking, eating or cleaning, you’ll likely come across two different materials… wood and plastic. But which is better? Well, the answer to this question isn’t as clear-cut as you might think.

It really depends on whatyou consider “better”, because if you care about making environmentally-friendly choices or just want to steer clear of the sketchy chemicals that can come with plastic, then wooden utensils will be a much better option than their plastic counterparts.

In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about wooden and plastic utensils, so you can make an informed choice that aligns with your values and lifestyle.

But before we get into it, it’s important that you understand what wooden and plastic utensils are actually made of in the first place - and why that even matters.

Wooden Utensils Vs Plastic Utensils

Wooden utensils are exactly what they say on the tin…utensils such as spoons, cleaning brushes, spatulas, forks, and other kitchen tools, simply made of wood. 

You’ll often find them made from hardwoods like beech, maple, teak, or bamboo, as these types of wood are strong, durable, and don’t easily absorb odors or flavours, which obviously makes them great for cooking and cleaning. 

Plastic utensils, on the other hand, are, you guessed it, utensils (forks, spoons, knives, and cooking/ cleaning tools), made out of plastic. 

The Benefits of Choosing Wooden Utensils

As we touched on at the beginning of the blog, whether or not wooden utensils are ‘better’ all really depends on your definition of better. That said, there are a number of solid reasons as to why many people around the world are now making the switch, and some of these include:

1. They’re Much Better for the Environment

One of the biggest reasons people choose wooden utensils is that they’re just easier on the planet. You’ll notice that most wooden utensils are made from renewable materials like bamboo, beechwood, or maple, which are all resources that can be regrown and harvested sustainably when managed properly. 

And when you’re done with them? They don’t stick around for hundreds of years like plastic utensils would. Wood breaks down naturally over time, so instead of sitting in a landfill or ending up in the ocean, wooden utensils return to the earth without leaving behind a mess. Who wouldn’t want that for our planet?

Wood is a greenhouse-positive material with a lower environmental impact than plastic and metal, which is why many eco-conscious people are now opting for wooden household products.

2. They Don’t Contain Chemicals

Something many people don’t realise is that some plastic utensils (and other plastic products for that matter) can actually release chemicals into your food, and this is especially the case when they’re exposed to heat.

So, if you’re using a plastic spoon to stir a hot pot of soup or scraping something off a hot pan, there’s a chance tiny bits of plastic or harmful substances like BPA or phthalates could leach into your meal. We don’t want that!

Wooden utensils, on the other hand, are about as natural as it gets, so you don’t have to worry about any synthetic additives seeping into your body. 

And not to mention, no melting of the product while cooking!

This brings us onto…

3. Wood is More Gentle on Your Cookware

This is a benefit that you might never have thought of before, but one of the underrated perks of using wooden utensils is how gentle they are on your pots and pans. 

Wood is naturally soft and smooth, which means it won’t scratch or damage your cookware while stirring or eating. 

If you’ve invested in quality kitchenware or just want your pans to last more than a few months, this is probably a biggie for you. 

The Tampico Fibre bristles in our wooden pot brush are particularly well suited for stainless steel and cast-iron cookware.

4. If Taken Care Of They Can be Durable

Another great benefit of opting for a wooden utensil is that, if taken (proper) care of, they can last for years, not months.

Unlike plastic utensils that can melt if they touch a hot pan, warp in the dishwasher, or snap under pressure, wood holds up really well over time.

Another interesting fact that you might not be aware of is that wooden utensils actually getbetter the more you use them. This is because, with regular cooking, they develop a sort of smooth, seasoned texture that feels great in your hand. 

Are Wooden Utensils Safe?

By now, you should have already guessed that wooden utensils are a much safer option than their plastic counterparts.

This is because they don’t melt orrelease harmful chemicals when you’re cooking with high heat, so you can have total peace of mind that you’re not getting any weird chemicals ending up in your food when you're stirring a hot pot of soup or flipping something in a frying pan.

Are Wooden Utensils Hygienic?

This is a totally fair question that many people probably think about when it comes to using wooden utensils, mainly due to the idea that wood might trap bacteria or be “less clean” than plastic. 

But the truth is, wooden utensils are actually quite hygienic when you care for them properly. Emphasis on ‘care for them properly’. 

This is because some types of wood, such as bamboo or teak, have natural antimicrobial properties, meaning that they can actually resist bacteria better than you might expect.

Did you know that plastic can develop tiny cracks and scratches where germs love to hide, however wood often seals itself off as it ages. We personally think that’s pretty cool! 

What Are the Best Wooden Cleaning Utensils?

At Wild & Stone, we stock some of the best quality wooden utensils for cleaning, designed to clean and protect all dishes with the environment and your health in mind, the perfect alternative to single-use scourers and brushes.

The Coconut Fibre Dish Brush is one of our favourites, designed to get into hard to reach places and made from FSC® 100% certified beechwood, coconut husk and stainless steel. 

The Wooden Dish Brush with Replaceable Head is another great option for your kitchen set, made from FSC® certified beechwood with Tampico Fibre bristles. Once you have finished with this item, simply place it into your home compost.

If you’re looking for a cleaning tool for the hard to reach areas of pots and pans, the Wooden Pot Brush is your guy. Made from FSC® certified beech wood and Tampico fibre bristles, this utensil is particularly well suited for stainless steel and cast-iron cookware.

Wild & Stone's mission is to create stylish, easy to adopt and usable alternatives to common plastic products around the home. We source all our products sustainably, from raw material to final delivery. Shop our sustainable home & lifestyle products on our website, or discover our full on-the-go collection for some of your sustainable travel essentials this summer. 

Share your plastic-free swaps with us at hello@wildandstone.com or tag us on Instagram #wildandstone.