Why don’t home cooks use wooden scrapers for cooking more than wooden spoons? A scraper has a wide flat edge that is perfect for, that’s right, scraping the bottom of a pot or skillet. The problem with most scrapers is the wood deteriorates over time, damaged by repeated washings and use. That’s why we love this set. The long flat-edge scraper is made from Brazilian cherry, which is so strong and durable that it’s often used for tool handles and even railroad ties. The smaller scraper is fashioned from Mexican ebony, one of the hardest woods in the world that is, for all intents and purposes, waterproof. Finally, the spreader is made from hard maple (hard enough to be used for bowling alleys) and big enough for a big schmear of cream cheese or softened butter.

When a recipe tells you to scrape the bottom of a pan to prevent food from sticking, hard wooden tools are more effective than flexible silicone, and Hampson Wood's Porridge Spoon—which is more of a scraper—is designed specifically for stirring and scraping, so it promotes more even cooking. The flat-edged paddle makes full contact with the bottom of saucepans and even reaches all the way to the edges and sides. The elm wood has a beautiful grain with a classic look, and the large paddle is ideal for everyday use, whether you're stirring a hearty stew in a Dutch oven or scraping fond off a skillet.

You'll want to bring this beautiful four-piece set out when you have guests to show off the teakwood's lustrous grain, which matches any table setting. The gently curved handles fit comfortably in your hand, allowing for a solid grip despite their petite size, and their blades are nimble yet sturdy. Unlike other woods, teak has high tensile strength, which means the tools are unlikely to snap or crack even with the thin blades. And teak's naturally high oil content and dense grain can withstand water better than most wood, so you can wash and use the serving set regularly with no problem. Each set is individually handcrafted by Thai artisans who sustainably harvest from government-managed forests; no two pieces are exactly the same, but each one has a smooth, cool finish, is comfortable to use and features a simple, timeless design.

Earlywood's handcrafted wooden tongs are as durable as metal versions but more gentle, making them perfect for nonstick cookware and other surfaces that are easily scratched. Mexican ebony is an exceptionally dense hardwood that's unlikely to dent or break, and Earlywood's product is expertly finished so the tongs feel smooth and comfortable in the hand. With a gorgeous luster, these wooden tongs are also able to transition from cooking to serving, looking right at home on an elegant dinner table with salad, bread baskets or any family-style platter.

• Dimensions: Length: 13 inches, Width: 3 inches
• Materials: Jatoba
• Use: Safe on all cookware, including nonstick.
• Care: Hand-wash only

Carved from a single piece of sustainably harvested wood, this dual salt and pepper cellar is compact yet eye-catching. The subtly curved design emphasizes the teak's wood grain, while its natural luster makes for a beautiful tableside serving dish. Teak's naturally high oil content and dense grain can withstand water better than most wood, so unlike many salt cellars this product can be cleaned regularly and filled with different ingredients. We like how the accompanying spoons add to the product's charm and hold a pinch of salt or pepper at a time, perfect for sprinkling lightly over dishes. The wood also has high tensile strength, so the dainty spoons are unlikely to snap or crack. Each set is individually handcrafted by Thai artisans who source from government-managed forests; no two pieces are exactly the same, but each one has a smooth, cool finish, is comfortable to use and features a simple, timeless design.

Most salad serving sets are not efficient: Their long handles are unwieldy, and relative to their length they can only pick up small portions at a time. These elegant minimalistic paddles have a broad blade that can be used almost like a scoop, for less mess and faster serving; we also like how the shorter handles are easier to maneuver. Teak's naturally high oil content and dense grain can withstand water better than most wood, so you can wash and use the serving set regularly with no problem—and as a bonus, these utensils are far easier to clean than tongs or scissor-style servers. The wood also has high tensile strength, which means it's unlikely to snap or crack. Each set is individually handcrafted by Thai artisans from sustainably harvested wood; no two pieces are exactly the same, but each one has a smooth, cool finish, is comfortable to use and features a simple, timeless design.