Where To Buy Mineral Oil For Wood Cutting Board
There is much conflicting information regarding which oils and substances are appropriate for use to safely maintain cutting boards or butcher blocks. This following list will help identify which products you should use to both sanitize and keep your board looking beautiful for years to come.
where to buy mineral oil for wood cutting board
Mineral oil (sometimes called liquid paraffin) is a non-toxic, non-drying product derived from petroleum that is colorless, odorless, and flavorless. Its properties prevent water absorption, which makes food-grade mineral oil (as determined by the Federal Drug Administration) a popular choice for wooden kitchen items such as wooden spoons, bowls, and, of course, cutting boards and butcher blocks. The key word here is food-safe, as there are types of mineral oils that are not safe for human consumption; these are often used as lubricants for machinery or found in auto or hardware stores.
Regular application of mineral oil will prevent cutting boards from becoming dry and brittle, which can cause a cracked board. A board that is treated with oil also prevents liquids from penetrating the board, which is often the source of germs and bacteria.
Beeswax is also a popular choice for cutting board maintenance. Its a natural wax produced in the bee hives of honey bees and has a variety of applications. Use beeswax to hydrate, shine, and waterproof a cutting board.
In addition, we now carry a pure plant based, vegan cutting board wax, made from rice and coconut. This is a good option for those allergic to bee pollen or propolis (beeswax) or simply those that are strict vegan.
Coconut oils have recently become highly popular for a variety of purposes, especially in beauty, because it is rich is saturated fats that are good for skin health. Unfortunately, all fats exposed to air eventually go rancid and coconut oil is not immune (even though some bloggers claim otherwise). However, a select group of coconut oils are refined using a refractionation process, which is a fancy way of staying that the oils have been steam distilled. During this distillation process, coconut oil is separated so that the long-chain triglycerides (LCT) are removed and only the medium chain triglycerides (MCT) are left. This leaves an almost pure oil that will NOT go rancid, is shelf stable and is superior to most other oils for treating not just cutting boards, but your kitchen utensils, salad bowls, countertops... you get the idea.
Caron and Doucet's Cutting Board Oil is a coconut based cutting board oil that is food safe and has added lemon oil essence for antibacterial purposes. Note that not all coconut oils should be considered food safe!
What can't baking soda be used for? You can safely use baking soda to remove stubborn stains from a cutting board or butcher block. Sprinkle baking soda over the offensive spot and rub with a cloth, brush, or sponge dipped in hot water.
This oil is obtained by pressing the flax plant. Raw linseed oil is safe for human consumption. However, boiled linseed oil is heated and treated with chemicals that make it toxic for humans. Linseed oil is prized among woodworkers for its water-repelling properties and luster after being applied. However, as an organic oil, rancidification is a possible drawback. Rancidity is a common problem with all organic oils caused by hydrolysis and/or autoxidation of fats. For us humans, this means a rank, unpleasant smell or taste lingering in the board. Having said this, linseed oil does not go rancid as quickly as other oils, and some people say it doesn't go rancid at all. This could very well be a case of using linseed oil only if you know the source and quality.
An edible oil extracted from the meat of matured coconuts, coconut oil is an increasingly popular substance used to maintain cutting boards and butcher blocks. Because of its high saturated fat content, it is slow to oxidize and is therefore resistant to rancidification. That said, there are reports of boards that have been treated with coconut oil beginning to smell after a long period of time.
CuttingBoard.com now is an exclusive carrier of safe coconut cutting board oil. This is a specifically refined coconut oil that does not go rancid and has no coconut flavor, scene and is pure liquid at normal temperatures. This oil is good for those that would like to use a purely natural or plant based oil on their cutting board or block.
All of us are familiar with the disinfecting properties of bleach. It quickly reacts with microbial cells to denature and destroy many pathogens. High levels of bleach are toxic to humans, however. The good news that that a diluted bleach solution is safe for you and your cutting board. Add one teaspoon of bleach to one quart of water and flood the board. Rinse with hot water afterward and then towel try. By no means use undiluted bleach on your cutting boards or butcher blocks, as this is an unsafe concentration and could also discolor your board. Most importantly, never soak your board in any bleach and water mix.
A transparent, hard, protective finish or film used in woodworking, varnish is also called a shellac or lacquer. While these products protect wood and provide a beautiful finish, they are inappropriate for maintaining a cutting board. Most varnishes are made from a solvent that preserves the liquid in the container and evaporates as the finish dries, leaving a binder or resin that protects the wood's surface. This residual resin will chip and peel off when exposed to sharp objects like knives. This is problematic for two reasons: 1) the substances in the varnish can be toxic to humans and 2) having little bits of varnish in food can ruin taste and aesthetic appeal.
When cutting boards and butcher blocks are not properly maintained they can become dry and crack. Rubbing alcohol, while a great disinfectant, is extremely drying. Using it on wood would is counterproductive to maintenance. To disinfect use a diluted bleach solution or soap instead.
The following article goes over the benefits of oiling your cutting board, the steps to apply the oil properly, and how often to do it to turn your wood cutting board into a well-oiled kitchen implement.
Cutting boards, being simple slabs of wood, may not seem like they need much attention. But they do. Wood is a natural, porous material that changes through time. Whether it becomes dry and splintered, or develops a beautiful, glossy patina is up to you.
To achieve the latter requires a regular oil regimen. Not only does oil effectively soak into the wood and keep it smooth and supple, it also acts as a mild water-repellant. A wooden cutting board that stays wet or in water for a period of time becomes prone to building bacteria or warping. Eventually, the board may even split and be unsafe for use.
Plus, having a protective layer also helps prevent any juice or liquid stains from adhering to the cutting board surface. So if you love a fresh beet salad or enjoy sipping a glass of wine while cooking, oiling your cutting board will protect it from accidental stains or spills.
As with cast iron cookware, many people like to season or oil a new wood cutting board before its first use. Even if the board comes pre-oiled, it may have dried up on the shelf or during transportation, and a nice coat of oil should get it back in shape. This, of course, is optional.
You have just purchased a beautiful wood cutting board. You have heard that maintaining a wood cutting board is different from how you clean a glass one. Today, we are going to explore how to care for it, and specifically, what types of oils you may use for different situations.
Wood that expands and contracts to accommodate moisture will warp or crack. Of course, any damp environment has the possibility of growing mold and other bacteria. Therefore, you need to treat the cutting board so that it does not absorb water. However, since anything you put on a cutting board may end up in your food, you must be careful about what you use to clean and maintain your cutting board. Here are some substances that are safe for use on a wood cutting board.
Mineral oil is an important ingredient in caring for a wood cutting board. It repels water, so it can prevent absorption. However, you need to be aware of what kind you buy as multiple substances can be labeled "mineral oil." The type you want is liquid paraffin. Also called food grade mineral oil, it is safe to digest. This odorless substance does not have a flavor. It is shelf stable and inert.
For best use, apply a generous amount of mineral oil to your cutting board with a damp cloth. In 2-4 hours, the wood will absorb the oil. Wipe off what is not absorbed with cloth or paper towels. Repeat monthly, or as often as needed when your board becomes dry.
Another tool for maintaining your wood cutting boards is fractionated coconut oil, which is the oil that is left after fat has been removed from regular coconut oil. This is different from the type of oil found in grocery stores. Because fat can become rancid, this type of oil is shelf stable and food safe. Like mineral oil, coconut oil fills the pores of wood and keeps it moisturized. When wood is properly moisturized, it will not absorb bacteria or crack.
To use coconut oil, spread a teaspoon on the surface of the cutting board and rub it in with your hand in line with the grain. Repeat three or four times, then let the cutting board dry for six hours. Do this monthly or when the board looks dry.
Beeswax also moisturizes and shines wood cutting boards. This natural substance is food safe and water resistant. Using beeswax regularly can keep your cutting board looking new. Because beeswax is a solid, it is harder for wood to absorb it. Combining it with an oil makes it easier to use and adds the oil's benefits. Adding it to mineral oil enhances its water resistance, while combining it with coconut oil seals in the hydration.
To treat your cutting board with beeswax, mix with another oil and warm it. If you use mineral oil, the mixture should be twice as much oil as beeswax. The coconut oil mixture needs four times the coconut oil as beeswax. Take two tablespoons of the mixture at a time and rub it into the cutting board along the grain. Let the cutting board stand for 4-6 hours and then wipe off the excess. 041b061a72