Care Instructions

Care Information for our Bowls, Steins & Tumblers, and Finished & Unfinished Vases can be found here: 

Bowls: 

Care and Feeding of Your Bowls
Before you use any bowl for food preparation or serving, season them by applying a light coat of kitchen grade block oil inside and around the bowl with your hands or a rag, once a day for about a week. You are allowing the "thirsty wood to absorb the good oil so that it resists absorbing dressings, butter, juices, etc. during normal use. Seasoning is a one-time process and oiling can be done on an as needed basis after that. Get to know your wood! The more you use your wooden bowls the more you will grow to truly appreciate their unique character and beauty. You will also be able to tell when they need "touch-up" oiling which helps prolong their life. Suitable block oils range in name and ingredients and may be used on any wooden utensils or cutting boards. The key is to look for block oils that are food-safe, but more refined than food-grade oils like vegetable and olive oils. We are always stocked with Homewood Block Oil if you need to purchase additional bottles in the store, online or over the phone. Never place your wooden bowls in an oven, freezer, microwave, or dishwasher. Avoid leaving woodenware sitting in a sink or other location where it may get splashed regularly or allowed to stand in water or soak with water inside. Care of your wooden bowls is quite simple-just hand wash them after use in warm, soapy water, rinse, and allow to dry upside down. Apply a light coat of block oil when bowls feel or appear dry.

Individual Bowl Care & Information
Laser Engraved Bowls & Boards should have special care to maintain their engraving. To limit fading keep out of direct sunlight and limit washing of laser engraving. While the image itself will slowly lighten over time, the engraving itself will last the life of the product.
Photo Bowls, Burl Bowl Sets & Original Art Bowls are lacquered either on the outside of the bowl or both the inside and the outside. This is to protect the laser engraved image and the original artwork on the bowl or in the case of burls, to feature the beauty of the woodgrain. Please note that this lacquer is not food safe and bowls with lacquer on the inside should only be used for display. If a bowl is lacquered on the exterior and oiled on the inside; it can be used for food and oiled on the inside as needed. Please keep these items out of direct sunlight to protect their photo engravings and artwork, and limit fading.
Knotty but Nice Bowls include a greater amount of burling and grain twisting in the wood offering deep rich tones and grain patterns. Knots found in these bowls are the result of the cross section cutting of a branch which was growing out of the standing tree. While you may have to avoid their use for pastas or salads, these are still wonderful vessels for a wide variety of dry goods to include rolls, popcorn, fruit, nuts and potpourri.

 

Steins & Tumblers: 

Care Information
  • Wash before initial use.
  • Wash with warm, soapy water. Then hand dry or place on a drying rack until dry.
  • Note: due to the finish inside and out, there is no need to oil this product. Do not place in microwave, dishwasher or freezer.

Finished Vases: 

Caring for your Finished Birch Vase
  • Intended for fresh flowers.
  • Do not fill over halfway with water.
  • This prevents damage to the unfinished exterior of your vase.
  • Wash interior with care, avoiding contact with birch bark exterior. 
  • Some bark shedding is to be expected. 

Unfinished Vases: 

Caring for your Unfinished Birch Vase
  • Intended for dried and faux flowers.
  • Water will damage your unfinished vase.
  • If you would like to display fresh flowers in your unfinished vase please insert a glass jar before you put water in. 
  • Do not wash. 
  • Some bark shedding is to be expected.