I had no idea..

That color in the water is MOST LIKELY the natural tannins in the wood, not bacteria and oil. STOP BELIEVING everything you see in videos like this.

these aren't wood, they are bamboo. wood doesn't require this type of maintenance.

performative. there's zero reason to do this. you will not get sick. the spoons are like 2 dollars, if they wear out just replace it.

Big Plastic says these were full of germs.

coconut oils goes rancid. use food grade mineral oil

Thats just wood tannins you dummy

That tint in the water are called tannins

Yeah, that TikTok-style boiling looks super satisfying with all the murky stuff coming out 😳 — I get why it went viral. But heads up: most experts (America's Test Kitchen, Martha Stewart, Southern Living, Wirecutter, etc.) actually advise against regularly boiling wooden spoons. The brown/cloudy water is usually just the wood's own natural tannins, oils, and pigments leaching out — not years of trapped "gunk" or dangerous bacteria. Boiling causes the porous wood to swell unevenly, then dry out → leading to cracks, warping, splitting, or brittleness over time. It also strips away the spoon's built-in antimicrobial properties and any protective seasoning/oiling you've built up. Wood is naturally pretty good at resisting bacteria when cared for properly (better than plastic in some ways!). The better routine is: - Hand-wash right after use with mild unscented dish soap + warm water - Don't soak too long or put in dishwasher - Dry thoroughly (upright or flat, good airflow) - Every few weeks/when they look dry → rub in food-grade mineral oil (not coconut oil — it can go rancid) to recondition If they're really smelly/stained, a quick scrub with baking soda + lemon, or a dilute vinegar wipe, usually does the trick without the heat damag

Leaving wood in boiling water is a great way to crack it. Just toss them in when you’re done frying food.

Nonsense. Wood is more naturally antibacterial than plastic. Just wash like all your utensils and no worries. Same with your cutting boards. Wood is good. ✝️

These things exist for a reason.

OR... Join the 21st century and use stainless steel or silicone cooking utensils! 🙄

Yes wood grain holds bacteria, but the color is probably from the tannins of the wood. New spoons would do that too

Take the oil out so you can add more oil.

that did clean anything it just waterlogged the spoons LMFAO

Please do NOT do this. SM are full of stupid videos like this one

We’ve had the same wooden spoons in our family since WW2 and never needed to do any of this. Everyone in my family lives into thier 90s. Just wash them with hot soapy water after use.

Probably just tannins that are in all wood that are causing the color in the water. Literally boil ANY wood and it will change color.

You cannot hydrate with oil, and this is all around terrible advice on several levels. Wood doesn't need oil, it's a myth to sell you more stuff.

If that were true why did homes always have pull out wooden cutting boards that were used for years and years and years and years without boiling them? I’m confused.

Those are just tanins and wood actually traps the bacteria within itself where it can't contaminate your food.

This procedure is not necessary

I've never done this and I'm still alive. I'm 73 years old.

was a dishwasher unavailable?

No thanks!! I love bamboo!! 🥰🤓😉

Sterilize the wooden utensils with hot water, not cooking it.

My mom taught me this

Those are not wooden

Ohh brother..I have that whole set...for many years...havent gotten sick or died yet..enuff with the stupid scare tactics..

Yeah! That was the natural oils leaving the wood. Stripping it of it's natural antibacterial properties and making it porous, to take in all the bacteria it was made to resist Don't boil wash your spoons!

Completely unnecessary.

@grok Can you include a cat sitting in the background? Found it (affiliated link)

So first you cook out the oil and then you apply oil. Makes perfect sense 🤪🤡

You are boiling out the wood- and lindseed oils used to make these things bacteria proof, and then replacing those oils with inferior coconut oil.