KITCHEN TOOLS · BUYING GUIDE

Best Wooden Kitchen Utensils

Updated

The best wooden kitchen utensils: hardwood spatulas, beech spoons, olive wood and handmade cherry tools compared by wood, size, finish and care.

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Our picks at a glance

ProductAwardScore
Earlywood Flat Sauté Set (3-Piece Wooden Spatula Set) Hardwood: hard maple, jatoba, ebony or bloodwood
Best overall 7.3 Check price
OXO 3 Piece Wooden Spoon Set Beechwood, natural oil finish
Best budget 6.7 Check price
Jonathan's Spoons Chef Set Small Cherry wood, light coating of food-safe mineral oil
Best premium 8.5 Check price
Naturally Med Olive Wood Gift Set of 3 Cooking Spoons Olive wood, finished with olive oil
Best olive wood 7.0 Check price
Jonathan's Spoons Spootle 12 inch (Original) Cherry wood, light coating of food-safe mineral oil
Best for left-handers 7.4 Check price
How the editorial score works

The score rates documented features and practical tradeoffs on a 10-point scale, using the weighted criteria below. An 8 means strong support with one clear limit; a 9 means particularly complete support with minor limits. It is our editorial judgment from manufacturer information, not a hands-on test or a customer rating.

  • Wood & finish30%
  • Shape coverage30%
  • Care needs20%
  • Handedness & fit20%

The order of the picks also reflects who each product suits best, so it is not decided by the score alone. More on our method

  1. 01 · Best overall
    Earlywood Flat Sauté Set (3-Piece Wooden Spatula Set)

    Earlywood · FSS-M (hard maple); also FSS-J, FSS-E, FSS-B and mixed-wood sets

    Earlywood Flat Sauté Set (3-Piece Wooden Spatula Set)

    7.3/ 10
    Editorial score
    Wood
    8.5
    Shapes
    6.5
    Care
    6.5
    Fit
    7.5
    Why this score?
    Wood & finish · 8.5
    Hard maple, jatoba, ebony or bloodwood hardwoods; thin 0.2 in flat blades
    Shape coverage · 6.5
    Three flat spatulas in three sizes; no bowl for ladling
    Care needs · 6.5
    Hand wash, dry in rack, oil occasionally
    Handedness & fit · 7.5
    Symmetrical flat shapes; small 9.5 in to large 13 in suits skillets to deep pots

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forEveryday stirring, scraping and flipping in nonstick and cast iron pans

    Three thin, flat-edged hardwood spatulas in small, medium and large sizes that stir, scrape, flip and toss salad. Earlywood offers the set in hard maple, jatoba, ebony, bloodwood or a mix of woods.

    Strengths

    • Three sizes cover small skillets to deep pots
    • Choice of hardwoods, including hard maple

    Weaknesses

    • Flat blades, so no bowl for ladling liquids
    • Hand wash only, per Earlywood's care guide

    Dimensions, material and details

    Dimensions
    Small 9.5 x 1.6 x 0.2 in; Medium 11.3 x 1.7 x 0.2 in; Large 13 x 1.9 x 0.2 in
    Material
    Hardwood: hard maple, jatoba, ebony or bloodwood
    Pieces
    3 flat sauté spatulas (small, medium, large)
    Cookware
    Earlywood says perfect for non-stick cookware
    Care
    Hand wash with hot soapy water, dry in a rack, oil occasionally (Earlywood care guide)

    Details checked against the earlywooddesigns.com product page.

    Check price at Earlywood
  2. 02 · Best budget
    OXO 3 Piece Wooden Spoon Set

    OXO · 1130780

    OXO 3 Piece Wooden Spoon Set

    6.7/ 10
    Editorial score
    Wood
    7.5
    Shapes
    6.0
    Care
    6.0
    Fit
    7.0
    Why this score?
    Wood & finish · 7.5
    Solid one-piece beech with natural oil finish; safe for nonstick per OXO
    Shape coverage · 6.0
    Three spoons only; no flat spatula or turner
    Care needs · 6.0
    Hand wash only
    Handedness & fit · 7.0
    Symmetrical straight-sided spoons in large, medium, small

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forA low-cost starter set of classic wooden spoons

    Large, medium and small spoons made of solid, one-piece beech wood with a straight-sided shape for reaching into cookware. OXO says a natural oil finish coats and protects the wood.

    Strengths

    • Lowest price in this guide
    • Solid one-piece beech, safe for nonstick per OXO

    Weaknesses

    • Hand wash only
    • Spoons only; no flat spatula or turner

    Dimensions, material and details

    Dimensions
    Large 12.4" x 2.6" x 1.2"; Medium 1" x 2.1" x 10.85"; Small 8.125" x 1.625" x 0.875"
    Material
    Beechwood, natural oil finish
    Pieces
    Large, medium and small spoons
    Cookware
    Safe for non-stick cookware
    Care
    Hand wash only

    Details checked against the oxo.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon
  3. 03 · Best premium
    Jonathan's Spoons Chef Set Small

    Jonathan's Spoons · Chef-S

    Jonathan's Spoons Chef Set Small

    8.5/ 10
    Editorial score
    Wood
    8.5
    Shapes
    9.5
    Care
    6.5
    Fit
    9.0
    Why this score?
    Wood & finish · 8.5
    Cherry wood, food-safe mineral oil coating, SpoonWax included
    Shape coverage · 9.5
    Ladle, two spatulas, tongs and spoon; wooden tongs and ladle are rare
    Care needs · 6.5
    Hand wash only, no soaking; SpoonWax included for upkeep
    Handedness & fit · 9.0
    Right- or left-handed versions

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forCooks who want a full set of handmade cherry tools, including tongs

    Five cherry wood tools from Jonathan's Spoons in Pennsylvania: a Lazy Ladle with a spout, French Spatula, Spatula with wiggle slots, Inside-Out Cooking Tongs and Dad's Spoon, plus a jar of SpoonWax. Sold in right- or left-handed versions.

    Strengths

    • Includes wooden tongs and a ladle, which most wooden sets lack
    • Available in a left-handed version

    Weaknesses

    • Most expensive pick here, and the set costs the same as buying the five pieces separately
    • Not dishwasher safe; maker advises against soaking

    Dimensions, material and details

    Dimensions
    Ladle approx. 11.5" x 3"; French spatula 12"; slotted spatula 11"; tongs 10"; Dad's spoon approx. 11" x 3 1/4" x 1/2"
    Material
    Cherry wood, light coating of food-safe mineral oil
    Pieces
    5 tools plus SpoonWax
    Handedness
    Right handed or left handed
    Care
    Hand wash; not dishwasher safe, do not soak (maker FAQ)
    Made in
    Kempton, Pennsylvania

    Details checked against the woodspoon.com product page.

    Check price at Jonathan's Spoons
  4. 04 · Best olive wood
    Naturally Med Olive Wood Gift Set of 3 Cooking Spoons

    Naturally Med · OL479

    Naturally Med Olive Wood Gift Set of 3 Cooking Spoons

    7.0/ 10
    Editorial score
    Wood
    7.5
    Shapes
    7.5
    Care
    6.0
    Fit
    6.5
    Why this score?
    Wood & finish · 7.5
    Olive wood finished with olive oil; handmade pieces vary in size and shape
    Shape coverage · 7.5
    Spoon, corner spoon and spatula for different jobs
    Care needs · 6.0
    Hand wash only, no soaking; re-oil occasionally
    Handedness & fit · 6.5
    About 12 in per piece; no left-handed option; shapes vary

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forCooks who like the look of olive wood grain at a modest price

    A hand-crafted olive wood set with a 12-inch spoon, corner spoon and spatula. Naturally Med says the pieces are finished with olive oil and, being handmade, vary slightly in size and shape.

    Strengths

    • Spoon, corner spoon and spatula for different jobs
    • Each piece is handmade with its own grain

    Weaknesses

    • Hand wash only, not suitable for dishwashers
    • Sizes and shapes vary slightly from piece to piece

    Dimensions, material and details

    Dimensions
    12 x 2.5 x 1 in (approx. 12" length per piece)
    Material
    Olive wood, finished with olive oil
    Pieces
    Spoon, corner spoon, spatula
    Weight
    0.4 lbs
    Care
    Hand wash only; coat with olive oil occasionally; do not soak

    Details checked against the naturallymed.com product page.

    Check price at Naturally Med
  5. 05 · Best for left-handers
    Jonathan's Spoons Spootle 12 inch (Original)

    Jonathan's Spoons · UH

    Jonathan's Spoons Spootle 12 inch (Original)

    7.4/ 10
    Editorial score
    Wood
    8.0
    Shapes
    6.5
    Care
    6.0
    Fit
    9.0
    Why this score?
    Wood & finish · 8.0
    Cherry wood with food-safe mineral oil coating, made in Pennsylvania
    Shape coverage · 6.5
    Single utensil; angled edge scoops, stirs and scrapes
    Care needs · 6.0
    Not dishwasher safe; do not soak
    Handedness & fit · 9.0
    Left- or right-handed version at the same price

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forLeft-handed cooks, or anyone who wants one spoon that also scrapes

    A cherry wood spoon with a flat, angled edge so it doubles as a spatula for stirring the bottom of a pot. Jonathan's Spoons makes it in right- and left-handed versions.

    Strengths

    • Left-handed version available at the same price
    • One tool scoops, stirs and scrapes

    Weaknesses

    • A single utensil, not a set
    • Not dishwasher safe, per the maker's FAQ

    Dimensions, material and details

    Dimensions
    Approx. 12" x 2 1/2" x 1/2"
    Material
    Cherry wood, light coating of food-safe mineral oil
    Capacity
    Roughly 1 level Tbsp
    Handedness
    Right handed or left handed
    Care
    Hand wash; not dishwasher safe, do not soak (maker FAQ)
    Made in
    Kempton, Pennsylvania

    Details checked against the woodspoon.com product page.

    Check price at Jonathan's Spoons

COMPARE

Side-by-side comparison

Select a column heading to sort.
Earlywood Flat Sauté Set (3-Piece Wooden Spatula Set) Everyday stirring, scraping and flipping in nonstick and cast iron pansSmall 9.5 x 1.6 x 0.2 in; Medium 11.3 x 1.7 x 0.2 in; Large 13 x 1.9 x 0.2 inHardwood: hard maple, jatoba, ebony or bloodwoodHand wash with hot soapy water, dry in a rack, oil occasionally (Earlywood care guide)
OXO 3 Piece Wooden Spoon Set A low-cost starter set of classic wooden spoonsLarge 12.4" x 2.6" x 1.2"; Medium 1" x 2.1" x 10.85"; Small 8.125" x 1.625" x 0.875"Beechwood, natural oil finishHand wash only
Jonathan's Spoons Chef Set Small Cooks who want a full set of handmade cherry tools, including tongsLadle approx. 11.5" x 3"; French spatula 12"; slotted spatula 11"; tongs 10"; Dad's spoon approx. 11" x 3 1/4" x 1/2"Cherry wood, light coating of food-safe mineral oilHand wash; not dishwasher safe, do not soak (maker FAQ)
Naturally Med Olive Wood Gift Set of 3 Cooking Spoons Cooks who like the look of olive wood grain at a modest price12 x 2.5 x 1 in (approx. 12" length per piece)Olive wood, finished with olive oilHand wash only; coat with olive oil occasionally; do not soak
Jonathan's Spoons Spootle 12 inch (Original) Left-handed cooks, or anyone who wants one spoon that also scrapesApprox. 12" x 2 1/2" x 1/2"Cherry wood, light coating of food-safe mineral oilHand wash; not dishwasher safe, do not soak (maker FAQ)

How we chose

We compared wooden spoons, spatulas and sets from established makers using their own product pages: the wood species and finish, what each set includes, piece sizes, care instructions and whether a left-handed version is offered. We picked a range of woods (maple and other hardwoods, beech, cherry and olive) and prices from a budget spoon set to a handmade premium set.

What to look for in wooden kitchen utensils

Choose a dense hardwood. Hardwoods such as maple, beech, cherry and olive are common for cooking tools. Check the product page for the exact species rather than a vague ‘natural wood’ description.

Match the shape to the job. Round spoons stir and scoop, flat-edged spatulas scrape the bottom of pans and flip, and slotted tools drain. A small set with one of each shape covers most cooking.

Look at the finish. Most wooden utensils come oiled or waxed. Makers usually say which oil they use, and many suggest re-oiling from time to time to keep the wood from drying out.

Plan for hand washing. Wooden utensils generally should not go in the dishwasher or sit soaking in water. If you need dishwasher-safe tools, wood is not the right material.

Check for left-handed options. Angled spoons and spatulas are made for one hand. If you cook left-handed, look for makers that offer a left-handed version or choose symmetrical shapes.

Frequently asked questions

Which wood is best for kitchen utensils?

Dense hardwoods are the usual choice, and the picks here cover several. Earlywood makes its Flat Sauté Set in hard maple, jatoba, ebony or bloodwood, OXO uses beech, Jonathan's Spoons uses cherry and Naturally Med uses olive wood. Pick the wood you like the look and feel of, then check the care instructions.

Can wooden spoons go in the dishwasher?

None of the picks in this guide are meant for the dishwasher. OXO and Naturally Med say hand wash only, Jonathan's Spoons does not recommend the dishwasher or soaking, and Earlywood says to hand wash with hot soapy water and dry in a rack.

How do I care for wooden utensils?

Wash them by hand soon after use, avoid soaking and let them dry fully. Naturally Med suggests coating its olive wood occasionally with olive oil, while Earlywood recommends oiling now and then and Jonathan's Spoons finishes its cherry utensils with food-safe mineral oil.

Are there wooden utensils for left-handed cooks?

Yes. Jonathan's Spoons sells the Spootle and its Chef Set Small in right- and left-handed versions, and Earlywood also offers left-handed versions of some spoons. Symmetrical tools like the OXO spoons and Earlywood's flat sauté spatulas work in either hand.

What is the best wooden kitchen utensil set?

The Earlywood Flat Sauté Set is the best overall pick: three thin hardwood spatulas in small, medium and large sizes, offered in hard maple, jatoba, ebony or bloodwood. The OXO 3 Piece Wooden Spoon Set is the best budget pick, and the Jonathan's Spoons Chef Set Small is the premium pick with five cherry wood tools including tongs and a ladle. All of them are hand wash only.