FAQ & Care
Skillfully Handcrafted from Locally Reclaimed Wood.
All of the finishes we use are 100% natural, organic and food safe.
Care and Use of Simply Rooted Wood Products
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put food in my bowl?
Absolutely, everything we make is designed to be used and enjoyed. For our traditional and live edge bowls, use them to serve items such as salads, pasta, breads and fruit. For our burl bowls, we recommend dry food items due to the nature and characteristics of the wood.
Can I put food in my bowl?
Absolutely, everything we make is designed to be used and enjoyed. For our traditional and live edge bowls, use them to serve items such as salads, pasta, breads and fruit. For our burl bowls, we recommend dry food items due to the nature and characteristics of the wood.
How do I care for my salad bowl?
Caring for your wood bowl(s), salad servers or kitchen implement(s) is very easy. If you are using it for serving saucy items, simply wash it quickly with soapy water, rinse it and towel dry immediately after your meal. If using the bowl for serving dry foods such as bread or using it as a decoration, simply dust it off after use. Unless you would like to purchase a new bowl, we do not recommend placing your bowl in the dishwasher, microwave, or letting it soak in water for any length of time. See our Care and Use information for more details.
How often should I oil my wooden bowl?
There really is no set rule for this. It really depends on how often you are using the bowl, and how you are using the bowl. Your bowl will arrive already oiled and pre-seasoned for you, but we always recommend that you oil it the first few times before use. Over time, you will get to know your wooden bowl, and will know by feel if it needs to be oiled. The salad bowl finish we carry is designed to penetrate deep into the wood, moisturizing it and helping preventing it from cracking or warping. The wax in the finish sits on top of the wood fiber and adds another barrier. With proper care, your bowl should last for generations.
If you are not sure how often you should oil your bowl, we recommend doing it more often than not, you will not harm it.
Will adding too much oil hurt my wood bowl?
No. Adding too much oil will not hurt your bowl. The wood will absorb what it needs to stay moisturized. Whatever oil it does not need will simply not be absorbed and you just need to wipe it off with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Do your products come with care instructions?
Absolutely! All our products come with care instructions. This also makes it very convenient if you decide to gift the item.
I can’t decide the size of bowl I need. Help!
This is a tricky one to answer as it really depends on what you will be serving in it (pasta vs. light fluffy salad) and the appetite of your family members or guests. Generally speaking, we would recommend the following:
- 9” bowl: 1-2 persons
- 12” bowl: 2-4 persons
- 15” bowl: 4-8 persons
- 19” bowl: 8+ persons
*recommendation is subject to change based on type of food being served and appetite of persons being fed in your household.
See our Bowl Sizing chart for more information
Do live edge bowls and traditional bowls have the same capacity?
When comparing a traditional bowl to a live edge bowl of the same size, the traditional bowl will have more capacity than the live edge bowl due to its uniform rim. If you love the look of a live edge bowl and want increased capacity, we recommend going a size larger than the traditional bowl.
Where do you source your wood?
As a member of Ontario Wood, we only work with sustainably sourced native Ontario hardwood species. Our raw material is sourced from local arborists and land managers, ensuring that no tree is specifically cut to make our products.
What wood species do you work with?
We primarily work with Black Walnut, Cherry and Ambrosia Maple for our bowls. We love the warmth, colors and characters of these wood species, and find that they make durable, long lasting products. If we can find it, we also love working with Yellow Birch and Spalted Beech for the same reason as noted above. We also work with Ash and Spalted Sugar Maple for our spice mills.
Do you ship across Canada and the US?
Yes. If you are purchasing a larger item such as a carved burl, or bulk items, please contact us before purchasing.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes we do. Please contact us before purchasing.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes we do. Please contact us before purchasing.
Do you make custom pieces?
Definitely! We have done everything from reproduction door knobs, table legs, stair railing spindles, bongo drums, to industrial prototypes. We have also made family heirloom bowls from a family tree, custom dinner-wear, custom carved burl center pieces and funeral urns. If you have an idea or project in mind, big or small, feel free to contact us and we will be happy to walk you through the process.
Can I visit the studio?
Simply Rooted Woodshop is a working studio without a retail space. Therefore, we are not open to the public. If you are in the area and would like to stop by in person, we ask that you please call us first to find a time that works and to be sure there is someone there to meet you. Our hours of operation are 9am – 4:30pm Monday-Friday.
Can I collect my item directly from the shop?
Yes you can. We offer porch pick-up if you are in the area. We just ask that you call or email ahead of time so that we know to expect you and have your item ready for you.
Do you deliver locally?
Yes. We deliver locally around the Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph area. Prices start at $65.00 + HST and may vary for considerably large items such as our carved burls.
How do I care for my spice mill?
Your spice mill requires little if any maintenance. If the mill gets oiling from use, just wipe it down with a damp cloth; avoid washing it in the sink or submerging it. If the ceramic burrs get clogged from grinding oily spices such as red-pepper flakes, simply unscrew the grey dial at the base and scrub off the residue with a sift bristle brush. Read our care instructions here for more details.
What can I grind in my spice mill?
Your spice mill uses a very durable Crush Grind ceramic mechanism. Therefore, you can use your mill to grind either peppercorn, coarse salt, and whole spice combinations. This is great for gift giving, as the end user can use the mill to grind whatever they like….as long as it is peppercorns, salt or whole spices.
Are there care instructions provided with my spice mill purchase?
Absolutely. All our products come with care and use instructions.
Do you wholesale your products?
Yes. Please fill out the required information under our Wholesale tab.
Do you work with Interior Designers?
Absolutely! We love working on new ideas and concepts. If you have an idea in mind, please reach out to us.
Wood Bowls, Salad Servers and Kitchen Implements Care
Taking care of your Simply Rooted Woodshop wooden bowl and kitchen implement is easy. Everything we make is designed to be used for serving food. All bowls, salad servers and kitchen implements come pre-seasoned with a food safe oil finish and are ready for use. With time and use, your item will continue its seasoning and will develop a beautiful patina.
Excluding burls, all bowls and kitchen implements can be hand washed in soapy water and immediately towel dried after your meal. Please avoid putting your items in the dishwasher or letting them soak….unless you would like to purchase a new product.
Depending on type of use and how often it is used, we suggest re-oiling your bowl or kitchen implement with our salad bowl and butcher block finish. The oil in the finish will soak into the wood to help keep it moisturized. This will help to prevent the wood from cracking, distorting and discoloring if using highly acidic foods or deeply colored foods (e.g. raspberries).
You will never hurt your item by oiling it, so if in doubt, especially when new, we recommend oiling it before use. With time, you will get to know based on feel and color if your item needs to be oiled.
Burl Bowls and Carvings Care
Burl bowls and carvings are made from unique and highly figured wood and often contain bark inclusions, voids and other unique characteristics that make each piece unique. These unique characteristics make these pieces best used as functional art. They can be placed in a room for visual enjoyment, but can be used to hold dry food items such as breads or fruit.
We do not recommend placing wet food such as salads in these (unless indicated otherwise), as cleaning them is challenging. To clean, simply dust off, or wipe down using a damp cloth and mild detergent.
Spice Mills Care
Our spice mills can be used to grind pepper, salt, and any other whole spice. Our spice mills use the Crush Grind mechanism from IDEAS Denmark. These use durable ceramic burs, are fully adjustable and carry a 25 year warranty.
- To fill: Hold firmly and pull the top off. Add desired spice/salt.
- To close: Align the metal shaft with the hole in the top portion of the mill. Push down.
- To adjust the grind: Turn the grey dial at the base. For a finer grind, turn clockwise.
- To use: Turn the top portion of the mill clockwise. Do not turn back and forth.
- To clean: Surface clean with a damp cloth only. Do not submerge in water. To clean the ceramic mechanism if using oily spices such as red pepper flakes, completely unscrew the grey dial at base and remove the ceramic burr (watch out for the spring). Wash the burr under warm water with a gentle bristle brush, dry completely and re-insert.
If the mill squeaks during use: Add a bit of wax between the top portion of the mill and bottom portion.
Call Us
Email Us
windekind@simplyrootedwoodshop.com
Monday-Friday 9-4,
Saturday by appointment.