I’ve been on a mission to declutter my utensil crock, ditching old, rarely used tools and replacing any potentially harmful black plastic pieces with items made from safer, natural materials. One of the best swaps I’ve made by far is Caraway’s birchwood mini utensil set, which includes a spoon, scraper, spatula, and tongs in space-saving sizes. Besides being better for me and the environment, the petite nontoxic utensils are also better for my tiny kitchen because they free up space in my crock. They’re so conveniently sized, in fact, that I find myself reaching for them every time I meal prep, whether I’m scraping tomato sauce out of a jar, serving portions of rice, or turning roasted vegetables so that they brown evenly.
The set is designed for smaller pans, bowls, and tasks but functions just as well as larger utensils. Each beautifully made birch piece is sleek and smooth, with a food-safe varnish that gives it a nice sheen. The utensils also have a comfortable grip, and though they feel very lightweight, they are actually very sturdy. I’ve stirred thick cookie dough and lifted sizable portions of chicken with the set and never had any concerns that the utensils might snap or break.
The slimmer profile of the mini utensils also lets them function with greater precision. I recently whipped up a simple frittata of potatoes and eggs, using the spatula and tongs to cook it to perfection. As the potatoes fried, I broke up any chunks that were a little too large with the sharp head of the spatula, then used the tongs to turn the pieces so both sides were golden brown. After I added the eggs, the spatula made it easy to lift the edge of the frittata from the pan and fold it over before finally turning it out onto a plate.
But it’s not just the performance of the set that has me smitten. I also love that the birchwood utensils won’t scratch my nonstick pans and don’t retain stains or smells, even after stirring a deep red tomato sauce or sautéing minced garlic. The pieces are also easy to keep clean. I just wash them by hand with warm, soapy water as soon as I’m done using them (never put them in the dishwasher or leave them soaking in water), then dry them with a towel and stand them up to continue to air-dry.
As someone who meal preps for one, yet is constantly struggling to find enough kitchen space, I’ve found Caraway’s mini utensil set to be a perfect fit. The pieces are so well-made and conveniently sized that I use them for everything. At $125, the nontoxic four-piece set is a big bump up from the cheap, black plastic pieces for sure, but I know that the utensils will provide me with years of clean, chemical-free cooking. And for that peace of mind, it’s worth it.