Bent wappa is a traditional craft characterized by the warmth of the wood and the beauty of its appearance. Many people use it as a lunch box because of its charm.
Some people have an image that it is troublesome to clean, but once you get the hang of it, you can easily use it for a long time.
This article introduces the proper way to care for bent-wood and tips on how to make it last longer, so please refer to it.
Types and Properties of Bent Ware
There are three types of bentwood: uncoated (white wood), urethane coated, and lacquered. It is helpful to know the properties of bended wappa when caring for it.
Uncoated (white wood)
White wood is unpainted, so you can enjoy the warmth, aroma, and other natural characteristics of the wood. It is highly effective in regulating humidity, so it is easy to fluff up rice after a long time.
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Urethane coating
Urethane coated bentwood is white wood coated with urethane resin and looks similar to white wood.
It can be washed with a neutral detergent, making it easy to use for beginners. The beauty of the wood grain is also unchanged, so you can enjoy its appearance.
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Lacquer coating
Lacquer coating on bentwood has antibacterial effect and can be used for oily food. It is also highly durable, so it is recommended for those who “want it to last a long time.
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How to care for your bentwood before using it
Always wash your bentwood before using it. Since bentwood is made of natural wood, it has the aroma and pigment of wood.
If you use it as it is, there is a possibility that the aroma will be transferred to your rice or side dishes. Of course, since it is a natural product, it is not harmful to the body.
The fragrance will fade after several uses, but if you are concerned about it, wash it with water or soak it in hot water of about 70 degrees Celsius and throw it away 2.3 times.
After washing, it can be used by drying it thoroughly for a day or so.
How to care for bentwood by type
There are different ways to care for bentwood depending on the type. If not properly cared for, it can cause mold. Let’s take a look at how to care for each type.
Drying is important for white wood bent wagons.
Since white wooden bent noodles are not painted, do not use neutral detergent, and basically wash them with water or hot water. If you are concerned about stains, you may use a neutral detergent.
However, overuse can cause mold and blackening, so use it only if you are concerned about it.
Also, if the water is too hot, it may cause deterioration such as warping or cracking. Therefore, wash the detergent by dipping it in 50-60°C for a short time.
After washing, wipe with a cloth and dry thoroughly. If the opening is facing down, water tends to accumulate at the bottom, so turn it on its side and let it dry for about one day.
Urethane coated bentwood is easy to clean.
Urethane coated bentwood can be washed with neutral detergent. Therefore, you can wash it in the same way as a standard plastic lunch box.
Please dry it thoroughly as you would a white wooden bent-wood bent-wood. However, do not use a dishwasher (dryer), as it may cause deterioration.
The paint will fade after long use, but you can apply rice oil to it yourself.
Lacquered bentwood is stain resistant.
Lacquer-lacquered bentwood should be washed in water or hot water with detergent, the same as urethane coating.
Since it can be washed together with other tableware, it is easy to clean. Lacquered bentwood should also be dried thoroughly.
Tips to make your bentwood last longer
Basically, the key to making your bentwood last longer is to dry it thoroughly. In addition to drying, there are three other tips that will make it last even longer.
Wet the bentwood quickly with water before using it.
If you put rice in a well-dried bentwood, the rice will easily stick to it. It is difficult to wash off the sticking rice, making it difficult to clean.
So, wetting it with water allows the wood to absorb the water, making the rice less likely to stick to it. After wetting the bowl, wipe it lightly with a cloth before putting rice or side dishes in it.
Painted bentwood is coated, so it does not need to be wet.
Wash it immediately without leaving it unattended.
The important points in taking care of bentwood are to dry it well and wash it immediately.
Regardless of whether it is painted or not, the key to making it last longer is to wash it immediately after use and dry it well.
Forgetting to wash them can cause mold, so remember to wash them immediately.
Prepare a stock of bentwood.
Bent wood needs to be dried sufficiently, so you need to dry it for about a day. Insufficient drying will cause mold and blackening.
It is preferable to prepare a stock of bentwood and use it every other day, since using it every day may result in inadequate drying.
Frequently asked questions about bentwood
Let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions about bentwood.
What should I do if I forget to wash it?
Everyone may accidentally forget to wash a lunch box. If you forget to wash it, soak it in 50-60°C water for about 10 minutes.
Be careful not to leave it in the water for too long, because leaving it in the water for a long time will distort the bent-wood.
After that, you can wash it with water by hand or sponge.
There are black stains, is it OK?
Bent wood can become blackened due to chemical transformation of “tannin” contained in the wood with starch or eggs. The darkening is harmless to the body, so there is no need to worry.
If you are concerned about it, make a vinegar water of “vinegar:water = 1:1” and leave it on for about 30 minutes. After that, wash it off with hot water to clean it.
If black stains remain, they can be removed by scraping with fine sandpaper, but the wood will become thinner.
What should I do if mold has grown?
If your bentwood is coated with urethane or lacquer, wash it well with a neutral detergent and rinse it with hot water. After that, a quick splash of boiling water and a good drying should do the trick.
Since it is coated, mold fungi will not be able to penetrate inside.
Unfortunately, there is no effective remedy for white wood bentwood. Since white wood is uncoated, even if it is clean on the surface, the mold fungus will take root in the wood fibers and cannot be removed.
It cannot be eradicated, but if the fungus is small, wiping it off with a sanitizer or ethanol is an option. Alternatively, we recommend reapplying a new coat or buying a new one.
By the way, you cannot use mold killer or bleach on any bentwood.
What is the best way to fill them?
The key is to pack the rice so that it stands up against the rice. Put soups and oily foods in aluminum cups or wipe off oil and seasonings lightly with kitchen paper before putting them in, to prevent stains and make them last longer.
Conclusion
The proper way to care for bentwood is to dry it well and wash it immediately. If you follow these two things without fail, you can prolong the life of your bentwood.
Be careful not to forget to wash it or to dry it improperly, as this can cause mold. The charm of bent wappa is that it can be used for as long as 10 or 20 years if you take care of it correctly.
Let’s dye your bent wappa, a traditional Japanese craft, in your own color.
