Cutting board maintenance

[bearfacedkiller]

How does everybody maintain their wood cutting boards?

I know mineral oil is supposed to be safe and I have often recommended it as a food safe lube for knives and have used it on folders for years. I have also been applying it to cutting boards for many, many years.

So let me hear how you maintain your wooden boards and if anybody has a method that does not use a petroleum product please share. Thanks,

[The Deacon]

I've always used mineral oil on wood cutting boards, and other wood items used in food prep and serving. It's safe and, unlike vegetable oils, will never go rancid.

[MacLaren]

I use Mahoneys Walnut Oil and Wax.

[Calicoast]

How often do you apply mineral oil?
I hate to say that I always just washed it well with dishwashing soap, let it dry. Be good to know.
C

[Bloke]

I make a polish out of clean filtered eatable beeswax and food grade mineral oil to the consistency of shoe polish.

I haven’t made a batch in years because it lasts forever and my memory isn’t the best but I think I use equal parts though I don’t think it much matters as long as it doesn’t end up too runny. :)

[wrdwrght]

Mineral oil, here. I put it on when the wood seems to have lost its finish.

[Doc Dan]

I think bees wax is good. Mineral oil is okay, too, but beeswax is preferable.

[The Deacon]

How often do you apply mineral oil?
I hate to say that I always just washed it well with dishwashing soap, let it dry. Be good to know.
C

Don't have a schedule, just do it when an item looks and feels like it needs treatment. Probably about once a year for things that get used regularly, less often for those that don't.

[tvenuto]

I’ve never put anything on my butchers block cutting board, and have had it for over a decade. I try to wash it with soap and hot water only when necessary. I’m not saying it’s what you should do, but it hasn’t caused any ill effect for me yet.

[MacLaren]

I've got a little piece of curly maple for a cutting board.
Very beautiful piece. I love curly maple.
At any rate, the Mahoneys Walnut Oil, and Walnut Oil Wax really helps maintain shine and overall health of the wood- if you will.

[ChrisinHove]

You’re all making me feel guilty. We use cheap polypropylene and bamboo boards, and replace them every couple of years or so.

[MacLaren]

You’re all making me feel guilty. We use cheap polypropylene and bamboo boards, and replace them every couple of years or so.

Lol, not a thing in the world wrong with that!
If that curly maple wasnt so beautiful, I'd be doing the same thing.

[bearfacedkiller]

Thanks guys! I must oil mine more than most. When I lived in Denver mine seemed to dry out fast and I put a light film on it about once a month. Now I live in a humid climate and do it about once every other month. It is 18x24 and I put about a tablespoon on and rub it in. It usually all soaks in pretty quick.

My board didn’t come pre oiled at all though. I have had it for ten years now and it seems to still just soak it up like it needs it? Maybe I am oiling to much? It is big and doesn’t fit in the sink so it has only ever been cleaned with a paper towel soaked in hot water.

[Doc Dan]

I do not oil or wax mine often at all. I just take care of it and not let it soak in water.

[tvenuto]

You’re all making me feel guilty. We use cheap polypropylene and bamboo boards, and replace them every couple of years or so.

Lol, not a thing in the world wrong with that!
If that curly maple wasnt so beautiful, I'd be doing the same thing.

Agreed. The important thing is that you use a cutting board, i.e. you cook.

We also have plastic cutting boards that well put on top of the butchers block with (small amounts of) raw meat to minimize having to wash the big one.

[MacLaren]

You’re all making me feel guilty. We use cheap polypropylene and bamboo boards, and replace them every couple of years or so.

Lol, not a thing in the world wrong with that!
If that curly maple wasnt so beautiful, I'd be doing the same thing.

Agreed. The important thing is that you use a cutting board, i.e. you cook.

We also have plastic cutting boards that well put on top of the butchers block with (small amounts of) raw meat to minimize having to wash the big one.

Lol, Amen to that!
I do that all the time.

[Calicoast]

I think I have had that question like many others in my brain for years. Thanks for all the replies. Might mix up some beeswax / mineral oil like bloke suggested for the walnut boards. All good stuff to know. Thanks,
C

[awa54]

I haven't treated any of my bamboo boards, but my olive wood cooking tools get a rub down with extra virgin olive oil whenever they start looking a bit dried out. None that have been treated this way have gotten a rancid smell or any sort of build-up.