More of Fairbanks - The Great Alaskan Bowl Company

Here is an interesting place to visit.  They make all the bowls they sell.

I took this off their website.  It explains the process better than I can.

Gather around young 'uns and
We'll tell you a tale about bowl makin'
from way back in the late 1800's and
- would you believe it - they're still
bein' made the same way today!

Here's the story of The Great Alaskan Bowl Company

Back in the 1800's the demand for large wooden bowls for making bread and for mixing and serving food kept many bowl mills in operation. The Great Alaskan Bowl Company is one of only a very few mills operating that use equipment designed from the machinery developed over a hundred years ago.

By cutting only two to five 13" or larger trees per acre The Great Alaskan Bowl Company is a responsible steward of the forest. This process promotes a healthier forest by allowing some sunlight to reach the smaller developing trees. The freshly cut green logs (40-60% moisture content) are cut into lengths the width of the tree and split for turning. This process allows us to create up to 8 one-piece solid birch hardwood bowls ranging from 22 inches to 7 inches in diameter - all from a single split length.

After the bowls have been cut, they are sorted and stacked on carts for drying. The kiln drying process takes 4-6 days to complete and is the most critical step in the production process. Our progressive kiln monitors both the heat and moisture content and the bowls are removed when the moisture content reaches 6-10%. Because of our unique drying process we have less than 3% loss.

Each bowl is then individually sanded and branded before the food safe oil finish is applied. The bowls are dipped and coated with a unique blend of seed oil, carotene, vitamin E and lemon oil that penetrates, conditions and seals the wood. This produces an all-natural finish ready for popcorn, salad, fruit and many other uses. . .

If you are coming to Fairbanks visit our showroom and see our bowl making process in person!

The Great Alaskan Bowl Company was established in 1991 to serve local and nationwide needs for a quality, one piece wooden bowl product. It has since become a premier visitor stop while in Interior Alaska serving both Fairbanks and Denali National Park.

A family run business, The Great Alaskan Bowl Company is intent on providing quality Made in Alaska and Made in America products in those it produces and by carrying a wide variety of exquisite and gourmet goods from across Alaska.

You can watch them as they cut out the bowls.  Very interesting.  Here is their website address to see some of their products:

http://www.woodbowl.com/wooden-bowls.aspx