The Great Alaskan Bowl Company - Bowl Care & Feeding

A Lasting Gift from the Last Frontier

Enjoy all of our different bowls...clear bowls, knotty bowls and arc bowls!

Clear Bowls are the ideal fully functional bowl. Clear bowls have no natural characteristics which might hold back its use to only dry goods. A clear bowl from The Great Alaskan Bowl Company will last for generations with proper care, serving everything from pasta to ice cream, heavy ceasar salads to chili. It will also serve as your fruit bowl, bread bowl and popcorn bowl. A clear bowl will also become the functional mixing bowl for everything from sourdough pancake batter to cookie dough. You cannot choose a higher quality solid one piece wooden bowl than this.

Knotty Bowls offer the true character of the Alaskan Birch tree. Knots found in our wooden bowls are the result of the cross section cutting of a branch which was growing out of the tree while it was standing. Knots have a different texture and grain pattern offering deep rich tones and enhanced grain patterns not always found in our Clear Bowls. Knotty bowls can be used for almost any purpose although not to hold liquids. They are excellent for holding bread, rolls, popcorn, chips, nuts, fruit along with hundreds of other things!

What are some of the uses for these bowls?

A 7" bowl holds 160 Peanut M&M's; or 1 pint of ice cream; or 95 Hershey Kisses; or 1 serving of cereal; or 314 pistachios; or 2 cans of chip dip; or 2 cups of chili		A 9" bowl holds 2 pints of ice cream; or 818 Jelly Belly beans; or 480 Peanut M&M's; or 987 pistachios; or 190 Hershey Kisses; or 348 gum drops; or 62 Oreo cookies; or 6 cups of clam chowder
A 11" bowl holds 3 lbs. of pistachios; or 1 batch of air popper popcorn; or 4 apples, 4 oranges, 2 pears, and a bunch of bananas 6 full plates of salad; or 1 BIG bag of Doritos; or 124 Oreo cookies; or 12 cups of hot, spicy chili		A 13" bowl holds 3 lbs. of pretzels; or 1 BIG bag of Cheetos; or 2 lbs. of crackers; or 12 full plates of salad; or 5 lbs. of candy; or 2-1/2 lbs. of peanuts; or 24 cups of your favorite pasta

Arc Bowls take the functionality of our round bowls and mix in the contemporary and modern shape of elongation. Still one piece, the arc bowl makes a striking statement on your table or counter. An ideal fruit and bread bowl the arc will become the conversation starter of any gathering. Manufactured the same way as our round bowls except for one step...the wood is mounted to the lathe on the tree's exterior, bark side up. This simple step creates a stunning and creative take on the traditional round wooden bowl form.

Care & Feeding of Your New Bowls

Every tree, like every fingerprint is unique. Each has a grain pattern and coloration that reflects its own particular species, age, native soil and growing conditions.
Each bowl, reflects its own unique character as well as that of the tree that gave it life. Your bowls can last for generations with just a little care and conditioning.
Season your new bowl---Each bowl has been hand dipped in block oil a the final step in its manufacturing process, to protect it from cracking and staining. However, we suggest that before using your new bowl you season it by hand rubbing it with a good quality block oil (such as what we feature). This should be done daily over five to six days before any food contact, allowing for the oil to soak into the wood. This will help prevent staining of your bowl while re-oiling on a regular basis will keep your bowl from drying out and cracking, allowing years of enjoyable use.

Be Good to Your Wood...
A little care goes a long way toward maintaining your wooden bowls, cutting boards and utensils. Get to know your wood! Being organic, wooden items require a little more care than metal or plastic. A properly cared for bowl may be used for soup, pasta, ice cream, salad or any other food without staining or cracking. Store your bowls in a dry, cool area and oil them occasionally or when they begin to "feel dry". Hand wash your wooden bowl in a warm soapy water using a mild soap, rinse, dry thoroughly then oil lightly if needed. We recommend a good quality food grade block oil. You may use vegetable or olive oil if your bowl is washed regularly. Be aware that vegetable based oils become stale if allowed to stand over time. This taste could affect your bowl.

Never ever soak your bowl in water or leave it in the sink where water may splash into it and stand. Never ever put wooden items in a dishwasher, microwave or conventional oven as this subjects them to extreme heat and moisture, both which can damage them.

Through proper care and as your bowls age over the years they will develop a warm, rich patina and will become treasured family heirlooms.