Have you ever wondered how many years your handmade wooden bowl should last with proper care? With the right maintenance, it can last for generations or even hundreds of years. It is a valuable investment that can be passed down as a family heirloom, with the potential to create cherished memories and sentimental value.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss how long you can expect your handmade wooden bowl to last. We’ll also offer helpful tips to ensure that it will stay in perfect condition for as long as possible.
Understanding the Lifespan of Handmade Wooden Bowls
When you invest in a handmade wooden bowl, you want to make sure that it lasts for as long as possible. When we create our wooden kitchenware, we do so with longevity in mind. Each is handmade with care. Because of the nature of the unique wood we source, every bowl is also one-of-a-kind, and primed to become a family heirloom passed down through the generations.
A few years ago, archaeologists in Scotland discovered a two thousand year old wooden bowl. Other than a small crack on one side, the bowl was in great shape. Now that’s an heirloom! But of course, not all bowls will last that long.
Their lifespan depends on various factors such as the type of wood, the design, the finish, and the level of care. Ideally, a high-quality handmade wooden bowl should last for many decades, even generations.
So, how many years should wooden bowls last? Proper maintenance is the key factor. A well-cared-for wooden bowl can last for up to a century or more, while a neglected bowl may only last a few years.
It’s important to note that wooden bowls are natural products and are subject to wear and tear over time. The wood may warp or crack due to changes in temperature or humidity, but this can be minimized with proper care.
To ensure the longevity of your handmade wooden bowl, it’s crucial to understand the factors that affect its lifespan. In the next section, we’ll explore these factors in more detail.
Factors that Affect the Longevity of a Wooden Bowl
Handmade wooden bowls can last for generations, but their lifespan depends on a variety of factors. Here are a few key factors that can affect the longevity of your wooden bowl:
Type of Wood
Different types of wood have different levels of hardness, durability, and resistance to moisture and scratches. For example, dense hardwoods like maple, cherry, and walnut are generally more durable than softwoods like pine or cedar.
At Spencer Peterman, we work exclusively with locally sourced, upcycled hardwoods from the New England forests surrounding our Western MA workshops: oak, cherry, maple, and black walnut.
Care and Maintenance
Proper care and maintenance play a huge role in the longevity of wooden kitchenware. If a piece is neglected or mistreated, it’s more likely to develop cracks, warping, or other damage. It’s important to clean and dry your wooden bowl thoroughly after each use, and periodically condition your bowl to maintain its finish and prevent drying out.
When it comes to conditioning, not just any oil will do! We offer two types of conditioners: our Beeswax Wood Conditioner and our vegan Black Walnut Wood Conditioner.
Exposure to Moisture and Heat
Wood is sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, which can cause them to expand, contract, or warp over time. Avoid exposing your bowl to extreme temperatures or moisture, such as placing it in a dishwasher, oven, microwave, or leaving it in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Click here for our guide to maintaining and caring for your wooden bowls.
By choosing the right wood, keeping it in a suitable environment, and taking good care of it, you can ensure that your wooden bowl becomes a cherished family heirloom that will be passed down for many years to come. You can shop our full collection right here.
