Best Reusable Chopsticks – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

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The Best Reusable Chopsticks – A Buyer’s Guide

What to Take Into Account Before Buying Reusable Chopsticks

If you want to find the right reusable chopsticks for you, there are various factors that you need to take into consideration. Before making a purchase, carefully read the following points:

Materials

There are many differences in quality, usability, and durability between chopstick models. Without a doubt, one of the most important factors is the material that is used to make the chopsticks. Take the following into account:

• Bamboo: By and large, bamboo is the most commonly used material for making chopsticks. It has various advantages, including durability, resilience, compatibility with water and natural bacteria-fighting properties. Besides, they are very lightweight, making their use easier and less straining. It should be noted, though, that, in order to maintain their strength, bamboo chopsticks should be rubbed down with mineral oils from time to time.

• Untreated wood: Because it’s fragile and flimsy, untreated wood should only be used to make disposable chopsticks. Even worse than that, untreated wood can harbor and promote the growth of bacteria. Being extremely porous, this material is impossible to properly clean and sterilize. For that reason, using untreated wood chopsticks more than once is a health hazard.

• Treated wood: Some manufacturers make chopsticks out of wood that is then lacquered in order to be reusable. The lacquer prevents bacteria and mold from forming in the wood’s pores. At the same time, it prevents water from bloating the wood. It should be noted, though, that lacquered chopsticks need to be washed with care to prevent the lacquer from becoming dislodged and tainting the food that is being consumed.

• Fiberglass: Without a doubt, fiberglass has many advantages that make it a great material for manufacturing chopsticks. To start with, it’s almost unbreakable, greatly adding to the product’s durability. In addition, fiberglass is easy to clean, resistant to bacteria and mold growth and naturally non-slippery.

• Steel and titanium: Incredibly tough and durable, chopsticks made of steel and titanium will last a lifetime. Apart from being practically indestructible, they are resistant to heat and machine-washable. On the other hand, though, chopsticks made of steel and titanium tend to be slippery. Additionally, they have a metallic feel and taste that some people find difficult to get used to.

• Plastic: Plastic chopsticks are practical and convenient. Also, they are very affordable, and they can be machine washed. However, they tend to be very flimsy and easily breakable. Worse than that, they tend to have a cheap look and feel.

Shape

There are two main chopstick shapes available: rectangular and circular. Rectangular chopsticks are generally less slippery and easier to use. For that reason, they are better for beginners. On the other hand, after you have had time to practice, circular chopsticks are more comfortable and ergonomic than rectangular chopsticks.

Tip Type

When it comes to chopstick tips, there are also two main types. On one hand, you have blunted tips. These tips are broader and allow more pressure to be applied to the food without breaking it. As a result, they are better for larger pieces of food. On the other hand, you have tapered tips. These tips are more delicate, making them better for picking up small pieces of food.

Extras

Certain chopstick sets include additional elements such as holders, bases and so on. Without a doubt, these extras can be helpful and enjoyable. However, they do not compensate for a product that is low-quality or inefficient.

How to Use Chopsticks

• Step 1: Pick up one chopstick with your dominant hand. Place it in the spot between your thumb and your pointer finger. Let it rest on your ring finger. Use said ring finger to move and balance the chopstick. Make sure to have a very loose grip, allowing movement.

• Step 2: Once the first chopstick is secured and balanced, pick up the second chopstick. Place it between your pointer finger and thumb parallel to the first chopstick. However, let this chopstick rest on your middle finger and not your ring finger.

• Step 3: Using your thumb, pointer and middle fingers, clasp the chopsticks securely. Make sure they have loose and independent movement.

• Step 4: At this point, the most important thing is to realize that the bottom chopstick that is resting on your ring finger should remain more or less stationary. Using your index and middle finger, move the second chopstick, pulling it away from the first one and then bringing it back to its original position.

• Step 5: Now that you can effectively open and close your chopstick setup, it’s time to give it a go. Pull the second chopstick away from the first one using your middle and index fingers. Then, close them over the food. Once you have a good grip, pull it up to your mouth and enjoy it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are Some Chopsticks Slippery?

Depending on their shape and the material they are made of, some chopsticks may be more slippery than others. Circular chopsticks, for example, are more slippery than rectangular ones. Similarly, metallic chopsticks tend to be more slippery than those made of bamboo, fiberglass or wood. It should be noted, though, that this ceases to be a problem as soon as you get some practice eating with chopsticks in general.

Are Lacquered Chopsticks Safe for Human Use?

Lacquered chopsticks are safe for human use as long as the lacquer does not peel off. If this happens, tiny pieces of lacquer may be ingested by whoever is using the chopsticks, potentially causing illness and even death. To prevent this, it’s incredibly important to wash lacquered chopsticks by hand and with extra care. Additionally, it’s important to check them periodically for any signs of peeling. If a lacquered chopstick starts peeling, throw it away immediately.

Can Wooden Chopsticks Be Reused?

It depends on the type of wooden chopstick. If it’s made of raw wood, it’s a disposable chopstick and should be thrown away after the first use. As previously mentioned, the reason for this is that untreated wood has thousands of tiny pores where bacteria may inevitably grow. If the wood has been lacquered, though, you can reuse a set of chopsticks as long as you follow the instructions provided earlier in this guide.

Whether bamboo constitutes wood or not is debatable. In any case, it’s an organic material and, as such, it’s susceptible to bacteria growth. However, bamboo has bacteria-fighting properties that make it a better option than raw wood. When reusing bamboo chopsticks, though, it’s important to treat them regularly with oils. If you don’t, they may dry out and become damaged over time.

Can You Wash Chopsticks In a Dishwasher?

Long story short, it depends on the material that the chopsticks are made of. Materials like fiberglass, titanium and stainless steel are completely dishwasher-safe. On the other hand, lacquered wood and bamboo chopsticks can’t be dishwashed. The reason is that the heat of the appliance would make the lacquer crack and peel, effectively ruining the chopsticks.

What Are the Differences Between Chinese and Japanese Chopsticks?

Traditionally, there are two nations that have used chopsticks for thousands of years: China and Japan. Speaking in broad terms, it can be said that Chinese and Japanese chopsticks are the same. However, there are certain key differences between them.

Typically, Japanese chopsticks are shorter than Chinese chopsticks. They also tend to have tapered tips, making them more efficient at picking up small pieces of food than their Chinese counterparts. Normally, Japanese chopsticks are made of wood or bamboo.

Apart from being longer, Chinese chopsticks tend to have a blunt tip, making them more suitable for picking up large pieces of food. They are also thicker than Japanese chopsticks. More often than not, they feature a rectangular shape as well.

In Conclusion

Having gone over the features and characteristics of these five products, it is easy to see why they are so widely-used and well-liked. Easy to use, durable, resistant and washable, each one of these reusable chopsticks can help make your life a little better and more enjoyable. At any rate, though, only you can make the final choice. Hopefully, this buyer’s guide will help you make the one.