It's a given that not everyone has the same taste, nor are our needs defined identically. That applies in the kitchen too. Some love to cook. some don't. Some want a well equipped kitchen, others aren't that into it and just want the basics available when they venture into their cook space. Some are aspiring "chefs", and some are microwave aficionados. Among those who really appreciate fine culinary tools and equipment, there are still personal preferences that dictate choices or the details that matter most. It's one reason we try to offer something for everyone..... from the minimalist home cook to the expert chef........we believe quality is still worth investing in . The Prodigal Carpenter product line includes...
One of the alternatives we offer to our “end grain” cutting boards is a slightly less expensive but equally durable “edge grain” board. As the term indicates, these boards use a different portion of the wood (edge) for your cutting surface. Although these boards do not possess the same qualities of end grain they do offer some distinct advantages. First you get a far different grain pattern from the edge of a piece of wood than you do from the end. (Below notice end grain top left, edge grain middle and lower left) Second, because less of the wood “fibers” are exposed, edge grain boards tend to hold their color longer than end grain. This can be particularly rewarding when...
Following is a list ( not exhaustive) of the most common posed questions I've received from friends and customers. I've answered briefly, but am always happy to respond in more detail to those who contact me. How did you get started in woodworking? Following my dad’s footsteps I became a “fixer upper” by taking on several home projects like: built in cabinets, desks, shelving units, etc. 2. Did you have any formal training in woodworking? Nothing like woodworking classes, but instead I watched plenty of YouTube videos and read a lot of online blogs, tips and “how to’s.” What impresses you most about other woodworkers? Obviously their skill level and detail of workmanship; however most of all is their overall desire...
For centuries wood has been a popular option for cooking utensils. These days a lot of people prefer wood over other options, for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the benefits of utilizing wooden cooking utensils as opposed to metal or plastic. Wooden Utensils Will Not Scratch Your CookwareWooden utensils are easy on your pots and pans, and won’t scratch nonstick surfaces. They’re also much “quieter” than metal utensils. Wooden Utensils Don’t Conduct HeatWooden utensils, unlike metal, don’t conduct heat…. consequently, they don’t impact cooking temperature negatively or create “hot” handles to burn your hand while cooking. Plastic can melt if left resting in a hot pan or pot, not to mention questionable chemicals “leaching” into your...
After making dozens of end grain cutting boards over the past couple years I wanted to share a bit about which woods I consider the best (and most available) for constructing boards. We’ve said, time and again, that end grain is the premium construction method for cutting boards because of it’s antibacterial properties and kindness to our knife edges. A crucial basis for determining the wood we use is in it’s hardness. I’ve found the best online source for wood characteristics, including hardness is: http://www.wood-database.com/ When looking through the database, try to select wood in the hardness range of 850 - 1700; You also want to look for a hardwood with a relatively tight grain pattern, free of knots and other blemishes. The most common...
