Wooden dough bowls have been used for centuries as serving dishes and as a base for kneading dough. It is a classic piece that is also very practical too.
Wooden dough bowls can be used to mix and store dough, store ingredients, mix dough, serve milk and as a serving dish.
Throughout this article we are going to speak in details what you can use a Wooden Dough Bowl for, and whether they are food safe, and great ways to clean the bowl.
What Are Wooden Dough Bowls Used For?
Wooden bowls have been around for centuries, and their uses vary depending on the culture. In some cultures, they are used as serving dishes or as a way to mix and store dough. They were used for food service in ancient Rome.
They are still used today at Chinese restaurants where you can get an order of steamed dumplings served in a bowl rather than on a plate. Wooden bowls are made from a variety of different woods, each with its own unique properties.
Bowls made from harder woods, such as oak or walnut, are more durable and can be used for heavier tasks such as kneading dough. Bowls made from softer woods, such as cherry or maple, are best for light tasks such as serving salads or desserts.
How Do You Use A Wooden Dough Bowl?
A wooden dough bowl can be used for a multitude of purposes:
1. Serving Dishes
Wooden dough bowls can be used as serving dishes for a number of dishes, including casseroles, pasta, salads, and even soups.
The depth of the bowl is suitable for containing soups and stews with depth. In many cultures, soups and stews are often served in a communal bowl – a wooden dough bowl is particularly suitable for this.
Porridge is also a very traditional dish served in a wooden dough bowl – cereal crops have been common in Scandinavian culture for centuries. This is made possible by the depth of the bowl and its capacity.
2. Mix and Store Dough
Wooden dough bowls can also be used to mix and store dough. This is because they are suitable for containing dough, as well as allowing you to manipulate it without the need for a flat surface such as a worktop or chopping board (which can become dirty easily).
Additionally, wooden dough bowls make great storage containers for any unused dough – simply cover with a cloth and leave until you are ready to use it.
3. Transporting Dough
A wooden dough bowl is also suitable for transporting dough – especially if you are using small quantities. This is because they are often compact and slimline, allowing you to easily pick them up. You can transport them without spillage too, by leaving a cloth over the top of the bowl before picking it up.
4. Storing Ingredients
Wooden dough bowls are also excellent for containing ingredients. They have a large capacity, meaning you can store more in them than other types of bowls.
You can even stack them on top of each other with the cloth still over the top to prevent spillage and dust ingress. This makes it possible to keep all of your ingredients for a single dish together, and in one place.
5. Serving Salads
A wooden dough bowl can also be used for serving salads. This is because all of the ingredients are contained within the bowl, which you can then turn upside down to serve out of. Alternatively, you could simply serve the salad in the ‘wooden dough bowl’ itself!
6. Storing Milk
Finally, a wooden dough bowl can be used for storing milk. This is because they are waterproof, meaning there are no gaps for the milk to penetrate – keeping your milk fresher for longer. Wood is a bad conductor of heat, meaning your milk will also remain cool for longer.
Can You Make Bread in a Wooden Dough Bowl?
Yes – you can make bread dough in a wooden dough bowl. This is because it is suitable for containing dough while allowing you to manipulate it without the need for flatwork surfaces (which are often dirty).
However, you will need to watch out for the sides of the bowl. If they are too sharp, they can damage your hands as you work with the dough. The dough will then stick to the sides of the bowl and make it hard to handle.
Is A Wooden Dough Bowl Food Safe?
Yes, a wooden dough bowl is completely food-safe. This is because it has been treated with linseed oil – a natural wood finish that protects the wood and makes it grease-proof, waterproof, and heat resistant to up to 200 degrees centigrade! (Always confirm this with the maker of the bowel before use)
The only exception to this is if the bowl contains strong acids or alkali. If you are not sure about whether your bowl will react with certain foods (especially if it previously contained another type of food), simply line the base of your wooden dough bowl with parchment paper before using it for containing other types of food.
How Do You Clean A Wooden Dough Bowl?
There are several ways of cleaning a wooden dough bowl:
1. Wash with Warm Water & Soap
The first is to wash it with warm soapy water, just as you would do for your other kitchen utensils. Simply use a sponge or dishcloth to remove any food residue and rinse the bowl out thoroughly. Then dry it using another clean cloth.
When using soap, make sure you rinse the bowl thoroughly to remove any residue. This is because soap can taste very unpleasant if it is left in a wooden dough bowl afterward!
2. Wipe with Vinegar & Water
Another option is to wipe it with vinegar and water – which will kill any bacteria, leaving your wooden dough bowl clean and hygienic. Simply mix a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water in a bowl, dip your cloth into it and wring out the excess liquid. Then use this to wipe down the bowl’s interior with – rinsing afterward if necessary.
The reason that vinegar and water are so effective at cleaning a wood dough bowl, is the acidity of the vinegar. This kills most bacteria and leaves your wooden dough bowl hygienic after it has been cleaned – ready for the next time you need to use it!
3. Soak with Salt & Hot Water
If you don’t have any vinegar to hand (or you simply don’t want to use vinegar), you can also clean your bowl with hot water and salt. Simply fill the bowl with enough hot water to cover the interior entirely, add a generous spoonful of salt and leave overnight. The next day, rinse out the mixture with warm soapy water (as detailed above)
4. Baking Soda Paste
This helps to remove stubborn stains in the wooden dough bowl – so it looks good as new when you have finished! All you need is a tablespoon of baking soda and some water to form a thick paste. Spread this over the affected area and leave for five minutes before rinsing with warm water.
5. Vinegar Paste
Fill your bowl with equal parts of vinegar and baking soda, along with some water to make a paste. Leave this for roughly half an hour before scrubbing the area clean-rinsing afterward if necessary.
6. Make a Paste with Baking Soda & Salt
Mix two parts baking soda to one part salt along with enough water to form a thick paste – this will scrub away even the most stubborn stains!
Once again, leave for half an hour before rinsing out with warm soapy water or vinegar if required. The salt helps to make sure you remove all of the baking soda residues after scrubbing.
7. Use a Scouring Pad
If none of the above options work, or if you simply don’t want to use them then another option is to use something like a scouring pad (also known as an abrasive sponge).
These are relatively cheap and available from any good supermarket. Simply scrub the affected area until all of the food residues has been removed – and then rinse with warm soapy water after.
Precautions to take when Cleaning your Wooden Dough Bowl
A few precautions need to be taken when cleaning a wooden dough bowl. Make sure that they are thoroughly rinsed after being cleaned, as any soap residue can make the bowl taste unpleasant if you use it for baking afterwards.
When using an abrasive sponge (such as a scouring pad) be very careful not to scratch the wood and ensure that you rinse the bowl thoroughly afterwards. This is because any residue left behind will taste unpleasant if it is used for baking afterward!
If you are using vinegar, make sure that your bowl is thoroughly rinsed after cleaning – as it would be very unpleasant to come across vinegar taste in your bread!
A Wooden dough bowl is a great way to make bread and other delicious treats. It’s also the perfect vessel for mixing ingredients together – whether you’re making pastry or some sort of batter-based recipe.
The best thing about this type of dishware is that it can be used on an electric or gas stovetop without any worries about chemicals leaching from them onto your food. This makes a wooden dough bowl one heck of a versatile kitchen tool!