Top 4 Essential Tips to Maintain Your Sushi Oke Mixing Tubs: Keeping Them Like New
Essential Tips to Maintain Your Sushi Oke Mixing Tubs – Japanese Sushi Oke or sushi rice tubs designed for chilling sushi rice to perfection. When creating sushi these wooden rice mixing tubs preserve rice at the optimal moisture levels and temperature. Learn how to maintain sushi oke mixing tubs with the following guide.
Sushi oke mixing tubs also known as hangiri are a low wooden tub or mixing bowl that is used to mix, cool and season sushi rice before making sushi. It has straight edges and an entirely flat bottom, which assists in spreading hot rice and allowing it to cool after adding sushi seasoning. Followed by fanning and mixing the rice using a rice paddle this imparts a subtle sheen to the sushi rice and accelerates evaporation and absorption, preventing the rice from becoming mushy.
Sushi oke for home use varies in width from 27cm to 45 cm, whereas those for used restaurants that cater for many patrons can range from 60 to 90cm wide and 10 cm deep. Sushi oke is traditionally made of raw, unpainted cypress or pine wood slats that are held together similarly to how a barrel is bonded, with brass straps woven around them to hold the slats in place. if not looked after, sushi oke can deteriorate quickly as they are made from a natural resource so its important to learn how to maintain your sushi oke.
Table of Contents
How to Maintain Your Sushi Oke
Because the wood in the sushi oke mixing tub expands and contracts in response to heat, it should not be exposed directly to the sun, heat or to cold or humid weather. If the sushi mixing tub is not used for more than three months, it can be soaked for a few seconds, towel-dried and wrapped with a plastic or cloth bag to prevent air from evaporating moisture from the wood.
There are a few easy measures that should be followed to maintain your sushi oke which will keep the product in good condition and help it to last a lifetime.
Before Using Sushi Oke For The First Time
Before using your sushi mixing bowl for the first time, fill the wooden oke halfway with hot water to dilute the tar and harshness of the wood. Add approximately 180ml of vinegar to the water and allow it cool for a few hours. Rinse the oke under running water and dry with several soft tea towels. Don’t allow pools of water to sit in the oke as the wood will absorb moisture which can damage the item.
Preparation Prior To Each Use
Prior to each use moisten the interior of the wooden sushi oke mixing tub and pat dry with a soft tea towel or wipe the inside of the bowl with a damp cloth to moisten it slightly. This keeps the bowl from discolouring and also stops the transmission of odors from the ingredients.
How To Clean Your Sushi Oke After Use
It’s easy to maintain your sushi oke tubs by following a few simple steps after it has been used for the first time which includes the following.
- Fill the sushi mixing tub straight after use with hot water and scrub with a gentle brush to remove any remaining rice and residue.
- Rinse the oke under running soapy water and use mild detergents sparingly.
- After cleaning, the bowl should be dried immediately with a soft tea towel.
- Always keep the oke out of direct sunlight and harsh temperatures.
- Do not soak for an extended period of time, since this can promote mould development and damage the oke.
- If the wooden oke looks to be discoloured, enhance the colour by using a lemon juice solution.
It is best to add a small amount of water to it on a regular basis to allow it to absorb moisture and keep the wood saturated and moist. If the sushi barrel has been filled with food or oily ingredients, scrub it with a trace detergent and hot water. Pack raw and cooked foods separately to avoid cross-growing food bacteria. Use wooden or plastic spoons to prevent scratching the wood, this also helps to maintain your sushi oke.
What Happens If the Hoop Comes Away?
The copper or stainless steel hoop that wraps around the Hangiri bowl secures the bowl in place. When wood absorbs moisture, it expands and compresses as it dries. As a result, during the dry winter season, the hoop may become loose. If the hoop becomes loose or detaches, invert it and pound it gently with a hammer until it returns to its normal position. After repositioning it properly, douse it with water and it will fit snugly back into place.
For more information on how to maintain your sushi oke or to buy one view the 27cm Sushi Oke Mixing Tub or the 30cm Wooden Sushi Oke as well as the 33cm Sushi Oke Rice Mixing Tub. Learn more about Maintain Sushi Oke Mixing Tubs also known as hangiri (飯切 or 半切), from wikipedia.org.
