Customer Reviews

Calphalon 3-Piece Wood Utensil Set

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Sometime I struggle about product reviews. Not so much about how to describe them, but how to rate them in term of numbers of star. Should a superb $30 wooden spoon be rated higher than a $1 mediocre spoon? (As a matter of fact, I do have a $1 wood spoon and have seen wood spoons cost more than $50 a piece) Ultimately, I examine my overall attitude toward the purchase, so I do consider both the cost and the quality of the products.

This utensil set was sold for $9.99 and I bought it as part of the 4-for-3 promotion, so I paid less than $9 for three wooden utensils -- extremely affordable. In term of quality, they don't seem to be as good as the ones sold by Oxo, but the Oxo ones are more expensive. Of the three utensils, the slotted spoon is of the poorer quality (in my case anyway). The slotted spoon is made of rougher and porous wood. It cracked slightly (1/8th inch) after its first use. It has "healed" itself after contraction. I have only used it once since and it has not cracked the second time. I simply don't have the need for the slotted spoon often and have not tried it often. The solid spoon is nice. It has not cracked or splintered. In fact, the solid spoon has survived the break-in period and developed a very smooth surface. The turner is mostly used for sautee and stir-fry, so it has not seen much water and of course has not cracked or splintered. The solid spoon is 10-3/4" in length. The slotted spoon and turner are 11-1/2" in length. I have owed this set since March, 2009 and am updating this review on Dec, 2009.

On quality alone, I would only give this Calphalon wood utensil set a 3-star score because the wood quality is average (average as in average, not average as in bad). As a whole, I am giving it a 4-star rating because it is very affordable.

For disclosure, all three utensils have been treated with mineral oil, beeswax or tung oil before their first use.

*Update Jun 26, 2010*
Nothing has changed. I am still using all three utensils. They are all working fine, no crack and no splinter. The slotted spoon still looks rougher than the other two.

This is defiantly a nice set of wooden utensils, although I expected them to be larger for some reason. I guess I had that pictured in my head from ones that I have seen in the stores. I like this set because it is hard to find the spoons that are curved in as much as they are and you do not normally find the flat utensil without slits. Nice set. I look forward to using these more in my new cookwares set!

This is a great, basic set of utensils. What can one say about them? They're wooden utensils, strictly functional. However, I really like the spoons because they curve in much deeper than your typical wooden spoons that you find in any given store. When I am sampling a sauce or broth right out of the pot, it isn't spilling over the edges as if it were on a flatter surface. Very nice rounded set for a great price.

you would think that this product would be great coming from Calphalon but unfortunately the wood splinters too much and after the 3 use of the slotted spoon, a slot cracked.

When I saw that the product was made by Calphalon, I was expecting quality. While they may be quality tools, they're a little lacking in finish. The wood is very porous and rough, almost like they missed a step. From the picture I was expecting at least the handles would be smooth or have a polish like finish.

They're just extremely uncomfortable to hold, almost scratchy and rough, it just feels like it's drying out your hands. The turner has a splinter sticking out of it, I took some sandpaper to it but it's still missing a chunk now. I have nicer wooden spoons that I got from the dollar store. But for the price I suppose they're okay, but they don't live up to the Calphalon name.

Cracked and split after one washing, and I don't own a dishwasher.Also, they were not finished or treated in anyway. Pick another brand!

I'm not a fan of wooden kitchen utensils but my wife is.

I will say I was impressed with how these spoons were made when I took them out of the package. With proper care these should last for years. They seem to be well balanced and the design well thought out.

These utensils are much thicker in width that what you will find in the discount stores. I also believe they have used better quality wood.

UPDATE; This involves my main gripe about wooden utensils. I have noticed that SO FAR this brand does NOT absorb dishwater or food residue like the lower quality brands do. To me any wooden utensil should be washed immediately after use to avoid absorbing things into them and eventually growing a bacteria farm on them that can't be removed even with extensive scrubbing. Sometimes it is just not possible to wash something right after you use it. Somehow this brand seems to be made of a much higher quality wood. I'll keep an eye on this and after we use them more, see if this changes. If it does I will post an update. I like clean food, and like clean equipment. The other brands I use stain easily and when that happens I throw them away if they do not come clean.

These are wonderful wooden utensils. They are high quality, functional, and wash up beautifully. We bought all of the different sizes.

All items I received were of very high quality and joy to look at. I was expecting lower quality because of some complaints here, but I my case all 3 items were perfect and beautiful, better than in the picture. I could not wish more.

I just wanted a good size spoon for filling muffin cups but the price of this set was about the same as a single spoon. The size is perfect for what I wanted. I bought a bottle of mineral oil on same order for a new cutting board. I oiled the spoons too because it will keep the spoons from cracking. Since they were probably setting for months in a dry warehouse after they were made they need oil when you get them. They are just wooden spoons but the quality is excellent and they are very attractive and well made. Wood tools and cutting boards are the best for use with food because they kill and resist bacteria naturally and will last for years if you oil them with mineral or bamboo oil.