There are several reasons why metal chopsticks are so popular in Korea. First of all, they are more durable than wood or bamboo. Dirt and bacteria can’t accumulate on them, so they won’t cause any hygiene problems.
Also, metal chopsticks keep your meal warmer for a longer time than wooden ones. A metal chopstick can be cooled down.
If you want to read more about metal chopsticks, then please keep reading on.
Can You Use Metal Chopsticks Every Day?
Yes, metal chopsticks can be used every day. In fact, almost 80% of Koreans use metal chopsticks on a daily basis. They’re easy to clean and won’t break as easily as wooden chopsticks would.
Even though they might be more expensive, it’s definitely worth buying them. In the long run, they’re way better than wooden chopsticks. I’ve been using metal chopsticks for well over 10+ years now and am still using the same ones.
As for my wooden chopsticks, I have to repurchase them every 3 to 6 months, depending on how often I use them.
So, if you’re looking to buy chopsticks, make sure to buy the metal ones, and you’ll thank me later. Here below are some pros and cons of using metal chopsticks.
Pros of Using Metal Chopsticks
- They are practical, durable, and hygienic.
- There is no need for expensive wooden chopsticks anymore.
- Hygiene problems are solved with metal chopsticks
Cons of Using Metal Chopsticks
- They are more expensive than wooden or bamboo ones
- Metal chopsticks need to be cleaned thoroughly before using them again.
As you can see, the pros outweigh the cons. If you’re looking to buy chopsticks, then get the metal ones. You won’t regret it at all.
How Often Should You Clean Metal Chopsticks?
Metal chopsticks should be cleaned after every meal. Don’t reuse metal chopsticks twice in a row without cleaning them thoroughly in between.
Never reuse metal chopsticks because it often contains lots of bacteria that could make you sick.
You don’t want to get sick just because you’re reusing metal chopsticks. So, make sure to clean them after every meal, and you won’t have anything to worry about.
How to Clean Metal Chopsticks
There are a couple of ways that you can use to clean your metal chopsticks. Use hot water and soap. Add the soap into the water and soak the chopsticks for about 30 minutes or so. Then scrub all sides of your chopsticks with a sponge.
If you don’t have a sponge, then use a cotton cloth (like a handkerchief) and do the same procedure as above. You could also purchase some metal chopstick cleaning brush online if you’re not sure that this works for you.
Are Metal Chopsticks Better Than Wooden ones?
Metal chopsticks are way better than wooden ones because they don’t absorb odors as wooden chopsticks would. They’re more hygienic and can be cleaned easily.
You can use them every day without worrying about hygiene problems. Wooden chopsticks often break, but metal ones will last for far longer than expected. Metal chopsticks keep your food warm for a couple of hours, whereas wooden ones don’t.
So, metal chopsticks can handle hot food better than wooden ones. Also, the price of metal chopsticks is lower than that of wooden ones.
From my experience, metal chopsticks are the go-to chopsticks in Korea, Japan, and Korea; however they’re most used by Koreans.
Can Metal Chopsticks Be Reused?
Yes, metal chopsticks can be reused. However, they need to be cleaned thoroughly after each and every use.
Reusing metal chopsticks is very common in Korean households. So if you want to reuse metal chopsticks, wash them in hot soapy water and dry them on a dish rack.
Do not use any detergent, or it will leave a scent that makes the food taste bad. Also, do not rinse the chopsticks in water after they’ve been washed because there is a danger of rusting.
What I really like about using metal chopsticks is that you can grill meat with them. If you would do that with wooden chopsticks, it would literally burn, and that’s something you want to avoid.
What About Wooden Chopsticks?
Wooden chopsticks can also be reused, but don’t do this too often because they can break quickly.
Reusing wooden chopsticks shouldn’t be a problem. The main benefit of wooden chopsticks is that they don’t rust and change the taste of your food.
But, you should know that wooden chopsticks can’t be disinfected and reused. So, they are only good for preparing one dish before discarding them.
Conclusion
So, what are the benefits of using disposable chopsticks? Disposable chopsticks are nonabsorbent and can’t be reused. But, you will save time by not washing them every time. All in all-metal chopsticks should be your choice 1st in my opinion.
