Many of my bowls are intended for constant serving salads, chips, nuts, or fruit. They are remarkably
durable in spite of being so thin. You do have to be
careful if a bowl has bark along the edge, for pieces can come off from rough
handling. Do not allow water to stand in a bowl, and beware of fruit
sitting in one place too long. A fruit or water stain my be removed by
brushing the area with oxalic acid crystals diluted in water, letting it sit 10
minutes, then rinsing it thoroughly to neutralize the acid. Be careful to
protect eyes and hands. This is last resort of course, and it is better to avoid
stains in the first place.
All functional salad bowls are finished with FDA tested and approved Behlen's
Salad Bowl Finish. You may use soap when you wash by hand to clean any
salad residues, then rinse and dry. Towel dry to avoid water spots while the
bowl is new. Once it is well oiled from extended use you may place
it upside down on a dish rack to dry. If salads are served dressed, it may be
necessary to scrub it now and then with warm soapy water to avoid sticky oil
buildup.
Do not put in dishwashers, refrigerators, or intensely hot places. Thermal shock can crack a bowl. If a bowl should begin to look dry and colorless in spots, oil with a regular salad oil or mineral oil. Wipe on a liberal coat and then wipe dry to avoid tacky residue. Should it get rough from metal utensils or heavy use, lightly sand with some worn 320 grit sandpaper, going with the grain.
Artistic bowls are usually finished with Waterlox, a mixture
of tung oil, linseed oil, and urethane. They should never need sanding,
but if they get dull, they may benefit from a light coat of tung oil or some
fine furniture refinishing oil, such as Hope's Lemon Oil. Always wipe well
with a soft cloth after oiling.
phone: 434-823-1882