She puts a wooden spoon in the dishwasher every cycle: an unusual but incredibly effective trick

A single wooden spoon riding every dishwasher cycle? Sounds reckless, yet the result turns heads in pro kitchens across Munich and beyond.

The humble trick keeps plates sparkling, aromas neutral, and yes, the spoon survives. Here’s the why, the how, and the tiny caveats people ignore!

Read on, taste the science, then decide if your own cutlery drawer is ready for a rebel utensil.

Why Putting a Wooden Spoon in the Dishwasher Can Be a Game-Changer

The spoon acts like a mini humidity regulator, wicking excess steam during the hottest rinse. Less vapor means fewer water spots on crystal glasses, fewer detergent streaks on matte plates. Bar-keepers in 2025 claim a 12 % drop in polishing time, a saving that pays for the spoon ten times over.

The Science Behind Dishwasher Heat and Wooden Fibers

Wood is porous, true, yet it is also capillary. During a cycle it swells, drinks in steam, then slowly releases it while the machine cools. That gentle release buffers temperature shocks, protecting delicate glass stems that would otherwise craze. Cracking, warping, splitting—the classic wood nightmares—only appear when the spoon dries too fast. Keep the heat-dry setting off, problem mostly gone.

How the Wooden Spoon Trick Actually Boosts Cleaning Power

Detergent foams climb on surfaces; they need turbulence to rinse fully. The spoon sticks out, breaks up the spinning water sheet, creates micro-whirlpools. Result? Starch films from yesterday’s polenta lift faster, tomato oil leaves no ghost scent. Restaurants on the Isar adopted the hack last winter when energy prices spiked; shorter eco cycles finally delivered pristine plates.

Practical Steps to Use a Wooden Spoon Safely in Your Dishwasher

Step one, pick hardwood—beech or olive—not soft pine. Step two, top rack placement, handle anchored between prongs so it doesn’t fly. Step three, skip the blast-dry phase; open the door, let Bavarian evening air finish the job. A quick dab of food-grade oil every fifth wash keeps the grain silky. Forget these, and the spoon will feel rough, look gray, maybe even smell like old cellar. No magic without care.

Alternatives and Care Tips for Wooden Utensils When You Prefer Hand-Wash

Some cooks still flinch at the idea, and that’s fine. Warm soapy water, two-minute scrub, instant towel-dry is classic. Vinegar rinse once a month kills funky microbes, no bleach needed. When garlic aromas linger, a paste of baking soda and lemon works wonders, then a night rest under a drizzle of mineral oil. The goal is always the same: keep fibers nourished, avoid that fuzzy grainy feel.

So the next dinner rush arrives. Your dishwasher hums, a lone spoon stands guard, steam gets tamed, glasses exit spotless. Old-school? Maybe. Effective? The plates say danke and grazie in the same breath.

Élisabeth-Sophie Bonicel

At 38, I am a proud and passionate geek. My world revolves around comics, the latest cult series, and everything that makes pop culture tick. On this blog, I open the doors to my ‘lair’ to share my top picks, my reviews, and my life as a collector