I got tired of eating plastic.
That might sound dramatic, but let me explain. I was using this plastic spatula I picked up for a buck at Target. Over time, I started noticing small bits of it wearing off on the pan. That got me thinking—if it’s scraping off on the pan, where else is it going?
Yeah. Into my food.
I decided to make the switch to wooden spatulas. Today, I’m sharing what I found after cooking a full meal using four different wooden spatulas instead of my old plastic turner. If you’re looking to go plastic-free in the kitchen, or just curious how wood holds up to heat and daily cooking, read on.
Why I Switched from Plastic to Wood
The decision came down to one thing: health. I don’t want microplastics in my eggs. Or my soup. Or anything, really. When I noticed the tip of my plastic spatula wearing down—and realized that wear was ending up in my skillet and probably my food—I knew it was time to change.
I picked up four different wooden spatulas. Two came as a pair, and I bought the other two separately. I believe they’re made of teak wood, which is known for being durable and heat resistant. I’ve included the Amazon (affiliate) links below if you want to check them out yourself:
The Cooking Test: Eggs, Soup, Green Beans, and Tortillas
To put these wooden utensils to the test, I cooked a pretty random meal: green beans, chicken tortillas, some soup, and scrambled eggs. This wasn’t about culinary perfection—it was about testing functionality.
Let’s start with the eggs.
As I dropped butter into the pan using the wooden spatula, I noticed something right away. Unlike the plastic spatula, which cuts through butter with a clean edge, most of the wooden spatulas have more rounded, thicker tips. This makes them a bit less sharp—so they tend to peel the butter rather than cut it.
Some wood spatulas performed better than others. The ones with a tapered edge handled softer butter more effectively. The difference isn’t huge, but if you like precision, it matters.
Performance and Practical Observations
Here’s what stood out:
- Noise: Wood makes less noise on a pan. Tapping or scraping with a wooden spatula is much quieter than banging around with a big metal or plastic spoon. If you’ve got a sleeping baby or just like a quiet kitchen, that’s a win.
- Pan Safety: Wood is gentle on cookware. Plastic can scratch or melt, and metal obviously scuffs your pans. With wood, you avoid all that. You will see minor wear on the spatula itself, especially if you’re scraping hard, but honestly, that just gives them character. These aren’t collectibles—they’re tools.
- Dishwashing: Here’s the trade-off. Wooden spatulas are not dishwasher safe. I hand wash them with regular dish soap, and it doesn’t take long. Just know it’s an extra step. They came with a light coating—maybe a wax or oil finish—but down the road, I’ll likely treat them with mineral oil to keep them from drying out.
Design Differences
The shape and size of each spatula made a difference depending on what I was cooking:
- For scrambled eggs, I liked the ones with a thinner, tapered edge. They made flipping and scooping a lot easier.
- For heavier items like burgers, the flat, wider ones did better. One spatula had a much larger scoop area, which made it easier to flip and lift.
Handle length was another factor. I searched for longer-handled options on Amazon because I didn’t want my hand too close to the heat. Some of the spatulas were shorter than expected, but not so short that they became uncomfortable or unsafe.
Final Verdict
I’m happy with the switch. Sure, there’s a bit of a learning curve—wood handles differently than plastic—but once you get used to the feel and shape, it’s a better experience overall.
No plastic flakes in your food. Less noise. More style. Better for the environment.
If you’re still cooking with old plastic utensils that are warping, melting, or shedding, it might be time to upgrade. Wooden spatulas are a simple, affordable way to start cooking more intentionally—and more cleanly.
Pro Tip: Don’t wait until your old spatula is falling apart. Your health and your cookware will thank you for making the change sooner.
Want to see the spatulas I used? The Amazon (affiliate) links are below: