Try drying them on top of the range while it is still warm. There is still warm dry air coming out of the vents for a while after the oven is off. Maybe not store them in a drawer at all and always keep them stored out on the counter in a decorative canister or hanging from hooks? If you want to only store then in the drawer, try wiping out the drawer with bleach occasionally to kill any mold spores hanging out in there. Once mold inhabits an area it will keep coming back as soon as there is a new source for it to grow on like damp wooden spoons. You can't see the mold spores but they are there. Mold spores can inhabit a dry area and spring to life (yes it is alive!) as soon as it encounters moisture and nutrients.

When we speak of 'food grade mineral oil', I am presuming it is the kind one gets in the drug store? I use that on my soapstone but since it can be ingested as a laxative, I'd say this is it? Not that I ever bought mineral oil anywhere else. Ann, I too had never heard of spalted maple. It makes me think of birds' eye maple. (Is the latter ever used for furniture anymore? or has it all gone? I had a birds eye maple high chair for my sons, and wish I still had it.) I know how you love wood so that must be a welcome addition to your collection. I am hoping to get some solid good wooden spoons in Spain. Not to hijack but anyone have any suggestions re olive wood? what to look for?

I wish I had your talent. I so very much admire your spoons - wish I could have a spurtle of your tiger maple (like my spurtle of Graham Kerr's - Galloping Gourmet TV fame and similar to Mad Hungry's spurtles which is one of the most beloved of all my gillion tools, the first "gotta have" tool I ever bought - 1975 I think. If you could make one like that I would stand in line to get one or three. You and your sister are creating useful beauty. Keep it up, it's rare. My son had to cut down a 100-yr old pecan tree and saved several burls and had the local mill cure some big 10 inch wide x 4 inch thick x 6 foot long slabs from the top quarter. After a year there they should be about ready to mill into counter tops or bench seats for the 1906 house he is restoring. A lot of the wood was lost because using a magnet they found that the lower half of the tree (at least) had had big nails and/or screws in it - probably to attach clothes lines, outside flood lights, no trespassing signs, party lights, pinata's, or whatever, and the tree grew around and over them during those hundred years. They would not use their big milling saws to cut them for fear of hitting one and ruining the blade. If it were mine I'd get out my chain saw and a suit of armor to have at it. But, little old ladies don't so such things.

Love the bamboo spoons. They are a very hard wood and last for years and years. I hand wash all my wooden spoons, maple, olive wood(which is so beautiful) and my old cheapies. The makers of the coated and baked in non-stick pots and pans have been recommending wood or silicone utensils for years. Metal scratches and dings the surfaces of the pans and mars the finish (Also don't use Pam spray on the pans either. Some chemical in the spray will make the non-stick properties break down and wreck the pan). NancyLouise