Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
Salad Bowls - refrigerating
John Uteck - Charlotte, NC
>I just had a request for a commissioned salad serving bowl, with the request that left-over salad in the bowl would be able to be covered with aluminum foil and stored in the refrigerator. Has anyone had any long term problems with storing a bowl with left-over salad in the fridge for a couple of days now and then, assuming a walnut oil finish originally applied to the bowl?
Thanks,
John
Re: Salad Bowls - refrigerating
John Trant (Baltimore/DC area)
>First of all, I would recommend that this person go to WalMart and buy a plastic bowl with a snap lid for storage of the salad. The wooden bowl should be reserved for the salad's presentation on the table. Would you use your best porcelain or crystal wares to store food in a refrigerator? At least this is my recommendation to my customers. My bowls are very thin so maybe bowls like those from Bill G.'s shop would be better suited for this mode of use. However, Bill's (and mine?) are too nice and expensive for use as general storage.
Now to answer your question. Storage of moist/wet materials in woodenware is begging for unfavorable reactions. The bowl will certainly warp, maybe crack, and likely will be unpleasantly stained. And lets not even start with the discussion of the unhealthy disposition of food particles in the pores of the wood.
Bottom line: It is their bowl so they certainly CAN use it as such but it would not be my recommendation.
John
Re: Salad Bowls - refrigerating
GaryG in MD
>John, I second everything you said. As you say, it's their bowl, but, really, the request makes no sense. Just tell them it's a bad idea. One more thing -- leftover salad? Yuk! Make some fresh! ...Gary
Re: Salad Bowls - refrigerating
John Uteck - Charlotte, NC
>Thanks John. Excellent advice to pass along to the customer -- I was trying to stick with the "customer is always right" idea, but I guess sometimes you need to pass the disclaimer along too.
John
