How to Make a Rod-shaped Scottish Spurtle

A spurtle is Scottish wooden kitchen utensil used to stir oatmeal (or porridge) when the grain needed to be cooked for long periods. The tradition rod-shaped spurtle helped to eliminate lumps, and its rounded shape fit well where the sides and bottom of the pan meet. You can also make the Americanized version of the spurtle—a cross between a spoon and a spatula.

Supplies and Equipment

• 9" to 12" length ¾" hardwood dowel
• Center finder tool
• Proxxon MICRO Woodturning Lathe DB 250
• Proxxon MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E

Instructions

1. Using the center finder tool, mark the center of one end of the dowel. Mount the dowel in the lathe.
   
2. Shape the end of the spurtle.
   
3. Use the point of a skew tool to scribe a groove where the bands will be. Use a wire burner on the handle end to burn decorative rings into the wood at these grooves. The wire burner is made by securing the ends of a ~12" length of wire to two handles.
   
4. Remove the spurtle from the lathe, and remove waste with the bandsaw.
   
5. Finish shaping the end of the spurtle on the disc sander.
   
6. Finish sanding the end and round the handle with the Delta sander. Here the Delta sander is mounted in the precision vise, which allows me to use both hands to control the work piece. Finish sanding with progressively finer grits of sandpaper, and polish with a food-safe wood oil.
   
7. Enjoy!!

   

Carole

How to Make a Scottish Spurtle

So, what is a spurtle, you ask. Let me tell you. A spurtle is a wooden Scottish kitchen utensil used to stir porridge. It dates from the fifteenth century—before the days of instant oatmeal—when porridge needed to be cooked for long periods. The tradition rod-shaped spurtle helped to eliminate lumps. And, to insure the magic the porridge was stirred in a clockwise motion with the right hand.

While the tradition rod-shaped spurtle is still going strong, in America the shape of the spurtle morphed into a flat wooden tool that is a cross between a spoon and a spatula. Spurtles are wonderful to cook with, and they are easy to make.

Supplies and Equipment for Making a Spurtle

• hardwood blank approximately 12"x1½"x1/8"
• Proxxon MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E

Instructions for Making a Spurtle

1. Cut the basic shape of the spurtle handle on the bandsaw. The handle area is approximately 4" long.
   
2. Adjust the angle of the disc sander to 45°.
   
   
3. Sand both long edges below the handle area and the end of the spurtle on each side to bevel the edges.
   
4. Round the corners of the end of the spurtle.
5. Sand flat surfaces with the Delta sander.
   
6. Treat with a food grade finishing oil. Oil used to treat butcher blocks is perfect.
7. Haur ye gae! Enjoy using your spurtle!! 
   

Carole