Spoon Oil

I was inspired by Heather Taylor’s recent L. A. in Bloom post on how to make a wooden spoon. It sounds like a wonderful project and I can’t wait to find a class and give it a try.  In the workshop, their spoons were treated with an oil mixture that sounded good enough to eat.  At the very least I wanted to fill my house with the scent of rosemary, beeswax and coconut oil.  I also knew it would be nourishing for my big wooden bowl and aging favorite wooden spoons.

I did a bit of research and found several recipes and suggestions.  I decided to add lemon juice from my Meyer Lemon because…why not.  It seems like the perfect addition to the wonderful mixture.  I found the beeswax at the art store.  Look in the section for fabric dyeing (think batik). The coconut oil was located in the natural food section at the grocery store.  The lemon and rosemary were in the yard so I had everything I needed.

 

I filled a sturdy pan with enough water to come half-way up the canning jar I was using.  I added about 4 ounces each of beeswax and coconut oil, a couple of fresh end cuts of the rosemary and the juice of one lemon.  While it was warming I also added the lemon peelings but removed them before cooling everything.

It took a long time for the beeswax to melt.  Keep a close watch and don’t let the water boil hard; keeping it just below the boiling point.  You can use a wooden spoon to stir it carefully and break up the chunks.

I decided to take out the worn out looking rosemary once everything had melted and I was finished with the heating.  I cut and added fresh sprigs as everything cooled.

 

 

Once cooled I used a soft cloth to rub the oil into my big bowl and onto my spoons.  It took some work but in the end everything looks well nourished and even though the spoons are beat up and burned here and there I think they look better and will last quite a while longer.

This jar should last a long time in the fridge.  You can use it cold or warm it to dip your spoons, but always heat it carefully as I’m certain it’s quite flammable. I think little jars filled with spoon oil would make a sweet addition to a gift of a bowl, spoon or cutting board. It’s always nice to add something handmade when giving a present.  Try it!

Comments

[sunday taylor]

Janet, what a good idea! And I love that you were inspired by Heather's blog post on wooden spoons. I need to do this also. I am always inspired by your creativity and organization in your home and garden. I am currently doing a lot of organization and work on mine. I am a homebody like you and attending to my home feels so good! Enjoy the holiday weekend!