Carving kitchenware

[DMH1112]

I just started carving and I would like to carve bowls and spoons. I was reading on what woods should be used. These are the woods that I think will make good kitchenware: Olive, Maple, Walnut, Cherry, Purpleheart, Birch, Apple, and Pear. I also have a piece of mahogany that will work for spoon making. Will all of these woods work for carving kitchenware and are there any more? Also, I am not sure if woking with all of these woods is safe for me and the person who will be using it. I am pretty sure all of the woods are nontoxic but am not sure if the dust is. Will I have to worry about this when I am carving and sanding these woods? Normally I just wear a dust mask and safety googles. I plan on selling them and using my creations in the kitchen so will this be fine or will they have to be display only? Yesterday, I sawed a burl off a poplar tree and am planning to make a small bowl with it. I am planning to carve it now and let dry it during the sanding process. My only question about that is poplar good for kitchenware and safe? I wasn't worried about this until when I was reading and toxic woods was mentioned.

Thanks

[minowevie]

Danger in the Woods

[Claude]

Here's another source on wood toxicity:

Wood Toxicity Resources - The American Association of Woodturners

Claude

[DMH1112]

Is ambrosia maple a problem? Also if I just carve all the woods I mentioned will a dust mask and googles be sufficient?

[DMH1112]

After reading those charts it appears to me that none of the woods I would work with are that bad. I was thinking that many people work with these woods and I have seen people make spoons and bowls meant for use. Therefore I expect it will be fine if I use them (correct me if I'm wrong). Though if anybody has advice for me I would be happy to take it.

[Claude]

All the ones you listed except mahogany I would use. I don't know if anything is wrong with it, but I also don't know if it's safe for food.

As for dust, dust from any wood is dangerous and you should wear a decent mask (not just the white paper that looks like a surgical mask) to keep the dust out of your lungs.

Poplar should be fine for bowls and spoons - it's a hardwood.

As to finish for cooking utensils, I prefer just using olive oil, since I cook with olive oil. Some others prefer a food-grade mineral oil (you can get it at pharmacies). I would suggest NOT using varnish, boiled linseed oil, tung oil, danish oil finish, etc. If you can't eat it safely, don't put it on a cooking utensil.

Claude

[Claude]

Since I have a few minutes...a little more on finishing.

After you have it carved to your satisfaction, and sanded, take it over to the sink and run water all over it. Then take it back to your work bench and dry it with a hair dryer. Now feel the surface...it will be very rough feeling because the fibers on the surface were raised up from the water. Is this what you want a customer to find the first time they wash the spoon? Of course not!

Sand it again using very fine paper - 400 grit is what I use. After it's sanded again, do the wetting and drying thing again. If it's still rough feeling, re-sand, and re-wet and re-dry. Keep doing this until after it's dry, it still feels as smooth as a baby's cheek. Now, cover it liberally with the oil of choice: olive, walnut, vegetable, food-grade mineral, etc. Re-coat with oil every half hour for about 4 hours. After the last, let it sit overnight with the oil on it. In the morning, wipe off and it's now ready to sell.

Tell your custompers to wash it in the sink with warm soapy water, dry with a paper towel, and if they think it needs it, apply more of the finish oil. I don't bother with re-application as I think mine gets enough oil from cooking with it. Tell them to NOT put it in the dishwasher...the heat and dampness are not good for the wood and can cause cracks.

Hope this helps.
Claude

[Sharon of the Dell]

Claude, thanks for the info on running the spoons under water, drying and sanding,etc. I did not know to do this so many times before use and or selling the spoons.Good to know since I want to sell mine someday. I really appreciate all the information you share!

[DMH1112]

Thanks so much for the information. Mahogany was the only wood I wasn't sure about but I got a large plank free. Also, what type of mask should I use? Do I need to get one of those respirators? Would I only need when I am sanding or also when I am carving?

[DMH1112]

Is this the type of lung protection I need? Comfort-Fit Respirator - Lee Valley Tools
Currently I use a simple dust mask. I believe it is the type painter's use. It is a lot more heavy duty than the surgical type.