Resources and Tips

Wooden Kitchen Tool FAQ + Free Resources

If you’re ready to get the plastic out of your kitchen and start making your own wooden utensils, this page is a great place to begin. Whether you’re making your first wooden spatula or building one of my kitchen tool templates, this guide covers some of the most common questions I get about wood choice, finishing, care, tools, and where to start.

What finish do you use on wooden kitchen tools?

For most of my wooden kitchen tools, I like to use a simple food-safe oil and board butter process.

I usually start by progressively sanding the project up to 220 grit. Once the tool is sanded, I apply a light water pop by wiping the surface with clean water. This raises the grain, and after it dries you can often feel the tiny wood fibers standing up on the surface.

After the water has fully dried, I do a light final sanding with 220 or 320 grit. The goal is not to reshape the tool, but just to knock down the raised grain and leave the surface feeling smooth.

Before applying finish, I remove as much dust as possible from the surface and grain. Compressed air works well for this, but an unused dry paintbrush is also a good option.

Next, I apply a food-safe oil. I typically use Roostmade oil for my kitchen tools. I let the oil soak in for about 30 minutes to an hour, then wipe away any excess with a lint-free cloth.

After the oil has had time to absorb, I apply a board butter. One I currently like is Bearded Chef Organic Board Butter. I rub it into the tool, let it sit for at least 12 hours or overnight, and then buff off any excess.

Using both oil and board butter gives the tool a richer finish and, in my experience, creates a more durable surface than using oil alone.

How do I care for wooden kitchen tools?

Wooden kitchen tools are meant to be used, but they do need a little care.

After use, wash the tool by hand with mild dish soap and warm water. Avoid soaking it in the sink, and do not put it in the dishwasher. Once washed, dry it with a towel and let it continue drying somewhere with good airflow, like a dish rack.

Over time, it is normal for wooden tools to start looking a little dull, especially after repeated washing and use. That does not mean anything is wrong. It usually just means the surface is ready for more finish.

A good sign that it is time to reapply oil and board butter is when the wood starts looking very dry or begins absorbing water quickly. When that happens, clean and dry the tool thoroughly, then reapply oil and board butter using the same process above.

What wood should I use for kitchen tools?

In general, I recommend using a clean, untreated hardwood that is commonly considered appropriate for kitchen use.

My personal favorites are cherry and maple. In my opinion, they are the gold standard for wooden kitchen tools. They are hard enough to hold up well in the kitchen, but they are still workable with common woodworking tools. They also have a tighter grain structure, which helps reduce splintering and keeps larger food particles from getting trapped in the surface.

Other hardwoods work too, and everyone has their preferences, but I would be more cautious with woods that are very soft, very porous, oily, resinous, strongly scented, or known to cause irritation. I also avoid using pressure-treated wood, construction lumber, pallet wood, or anything with an unknown history for kitchen tools.

When in doubt, stick with simple, proven hardwoods like cherry or maple.

Where should I start if I’m new to making wooden kitchen tools?

If you’re new to making wooden kitchen tools, a basic spatula is one of the best places to start.

A spatula can be as simple or as detailed as you want it to be. At its simplest, it can be a single profile cut from a flat piece of hardwood and shaped by hand. You can make one with carving knives, rasps, files, handsaws, sandpaper, and other simple hand tools.

If you have access to more specialized tools, like a bandsaw, belt sander, spindle sander, router, or power sander, the process can be faster and more refined.

As you get more comfortable, you can move into more complex designs that use both a face profile and an edge profile. This allows you to create tools with more intentional curves, tapers, angled blades, and comfortable handles.

Starting with a simple spatula teaches a lot of the basic skills: layout, shaping, sanding, grain direction, comfort in the hand, and finishing.

Are RogueGrainCo templates beginner-friendly?

Many RogueGrainCo templates are approachable for woodworkers who are comfortable using basic shop tools, but some designs are simpler than others.

If you’re looking for a good place to start, simpler projects like the 3-in-1 kitchen tool, herb stripper, Danish dough whisk, basic spatulas, and scrapers are usually great options. These designs are a good way to get familiar with the process before moving into more detailed shapes.

Some projects involve tighter curves, thinner areas, router work, deep scoops, moving parts, or face-and-edge profile shaping. Those designs may require more patience, more careful tool control, and a little more woodworking experience.

Each template is meant to give you the shape, proportions, and starting point for the project. The final result will depend on your wood choice, tools, sanding, shaping, and finishing process.

Free resource

Free beginner spatula template

A basic spatula is one of the best places to start if you’re new to making wooden kitchen utensils. It teaches the basics of layout, shaping, sanding, grain direction, and finishing without being overly complicated.

Download the free beginner spatula template below and use this guide as a starting point for choosing wood, finishing the tool, and caring for it after use.

Click Here to access this free template.

Products and supplies I use

Some links on this page may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use or would feel comfortable using in my own shop.

As an Amazon Associate, RogueGrainCo earns from qualifying purchases.

Click Here to explore a few of the finishing products, supplies, and tools I commonly use when making wooden kitchen tools

Finishing products

For most of my kitchen tools, I use a food-safe oil followed by a board butter. The oil soaks into the wood, while the board butter helps add another layer of protection and gives the surface a richer feel.

Recommended products:

• Roostmade oil
• Bearded Chef Organic Board Butter
• Lint-free cloths
• Disposable gloves

Sanding and prep supplies

A smooth finish starts before the oil ever goes on. I usually sand up to 220 grit, water pop the grain, let it dry, and then lightly sand again with 220 or 320 grit before applying finish.

Helpful supplies:

• 120 grit sandpaper
• 180 grit sandpaper
• 220 grit sandpaper
• 320 grit sandpaper
• Sanding blocks
• Unused dry paintbrushes for dust removal

Helpful shop tools

These are not required for every project, but they are tools and supplies I personally use often in my own kitchen tool builds. The exact tools you need will depend on the project, your experience level, and the method you choose.

Common tools I use:

• Bandsaw
• Drill press
• Router table
• Roundover bits
• Bowl and tray bits
• Belt sander
• Spindle sander
• Rasps and files
• Clamps

Browse RogueGrainCo templates

Once you’re ready to make more wooden kitchen tools, you can browse my full collection of printable woodworking templates. Navigate to the "Shop Templates" tab to view them all.

Each template is designed to help you create a functional wooden tool with clear shapes, proportions, and profiles to work from.

Important safety note

These projects are intended for individuals with woodworking knowledge and experience. Woodworking involves potentially dangerous tools and equipment. Always use proper safety practices, including guards, push blocks, clamps, dust protection, eye protection, and hearing protection when appropriate.

Only attempt cuts, routing operations, shaping methods, or tool setups you are comfortable with. RogueGrainCo templates are intended as guides. You are responsible for your own material choice, tool setup, construction method, and safe use.