Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
cereal bowls?
Dave MacLuskie
>I've recently been asked about bowls for use as a cereal bowl (with milk and all). I've only turned bowls for decoration (or firewood) at this point and don't have an answer. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? good/bad? any woods or finisheds to use/avoid?
Re: cereal bowls?
John Bussom
>I have been asked the same thing and also salad bowls!
I am a little on the new side when it comes to turning but have managed to do a few segmented bowls from 6" to 13" dia, I have a few people that wanted these more for decoration than for food use, in fact when I mentioned the word "salad bowl" they replied "no way"
Of course I have reservations about actually using an item like this for food for several reasons, first the person that gets them will put them in the dishwasher or set them in the sink full of water, second the finish will eventually wear off and/or not be food safe to begin with, then there is the controversy over what kind of wood is safe!
Maybe some of the more experienced turners may have some positive answers that I look forward too but until then I only make decorative salad bowls with instructions on care if they are used for food! I do use a food safe? wax on the inside and friciton polish on the outside.
John
Re: cereal bowls?
Arch
>Hi Dave, My thoughts are very confused and not very logical about using wood for eating and drinking utensils, crockery and dinnerware. I'm not sure know why I think that for actual day to day use, glass, plastics and ceramics are all better than wood for cups, steins, glasses, soup bowls and cereal bowls. On the other hand, I count wooden salad bowls, servers and chargers the only way to go. I have heard about the antibacterial properties of wooden chopping boards, etc. but I'd rather depend on scrubbing a hard surface with very hot water and soap or a dish washer. No, not a plug for LDD.;) Thanks for raising the question. I need more help than you do. Arch
Re: cereal bowls?
Ken Grunke
>I would say maple, ash, beech, and red elm are sure bets for utilitarian bowls. Birch is OK, too, but not as durable.
And if you want them to last forever, use a 2-part epoxy varnish.
Re: cereal bowls? *LINK*
RevDoug
>Many coats of salad bowl finish with instructions to never wash with anything other than a wet rag and to dry imediately.
Wood Spun Round
Re: cereal bowls?
Ray Taylor
>Dave,
I've made several. The photo below shows a maple with some coloration. Notice the functional "lip". That's so you can drink the milk without spillage. Also, the curve is shaped to match your chest. It works great with ice cream while reclining!
The finish is beeswax and mineral oil. We hand wash them and from time to time they need re-oiling.
Ray
Re: cereal bowls?
Jeff
>I'm a bit new to this, but I had heard or read a great answer to this question. The person, an experienced woodturner, said that any finish is food safe if cured properly. Vegetable oil should not be used because it could actually spoil and start to smell. The main thing is to wash by hand and don't soak in water.