Has your treasured wooden cutting board been looking a little dull lately? Or did you receive one as a gift and need to know how to take care of it? Wooden cutting boards and other wooden utensils require extra care to perform at their best.
Knowing how to oil a cutting board is essential in keeping it safe for food preparation. Proper oiling can breathe new life into your board – or prepare a new one for a long, beautiful, healthy life in your kitchen.
TL;DR - How to Season a Wooden Cutting Board
When you get a new wooden cutting board, it is best to season it before use. Seasoning is when you cover the board with oil and let it dry multiple times to create a water-resistant coating. This helps protect it from water and bacteria.
How to Oil a Cutting Board:
- Wash your board with water and mild soap.
- Dry your cutting board completely with a clean towel.
- Let your cutting board air dry for 24 hours.
- Apply oil to the cutting board.
- Rub the mineral oil over all surfaces of the cutting board.
- Wipe away excess oil.
- Let your cutting board dry for 24 hours by leaning it against a vertical surface.
Repeat the steps as needed (covered in more detail below). You can also test the waterproof barrier by flicking some water on it. If the seasoning barrier is complete, the water will bead up on the surface of your cutting board.
Signs That Indicate Your Cutting Board Needs Oiling
Wooden cutting boards make a wonderful addition to any kitchen, but they require regular oiling to remain in perfect condition. The type of wood used to make your cutting board affects how often you need to oil and season it.
Let’s talk about the wood:
- Your cutting board should be made from a hardwood like maple, beech, oak, or walnut.
- Hardwoods have denser wood fibers, which make them less absorbent than softwoods like cedar or pine.
- Less absorbent is what you want in your wooden cutting board because, with proper care, the wood fibers are less likely to soak in water and other liquids from food preparation that can cause the spread of bacteria.
- Wooden cutting boards that are not seasoned or oiled properly can absorb too much moisture, leading to bending and warping.
However, even though a cutting board may be made of hardwood, some woods are still more absorbent than others. For example, beech and oak are more porous than maple or walnut, even though they are all technically hardwoods. So, the type of wood in your wooden cutting board will determine how often you will need to season and oil it.
Now, let’s talk about bamboo. Bamboo is a popular material used in cutting boards, even though it isn’t wood at all! Bamboo items - like our premium cutting boards - are harder than other hardwood cutting boards, making them more sanitary and eco-friendly than wood cutting boards. This makes them easier to clean and maintain than some wooden cutting boards. However, bamboo fibers are still porous, so bamboo cutting boards still need proper seasoning and oiling to perform at their best.
Whether your new cutting board is made of wood or bamboo, you’ll still need to season and oil it frequently to keep it safe for food preparation. Even with regular upkeep, keep an eye out for these warning signs that your cutting board needs oiling:
- The wooden surface looks dry or pale
- Water does not bead on the surface
- The board feels rough
What is the Best Oil for Your Cutting Board?
Knowing what kind of oil to use on a cutting board is as important as the oiling process. Not every oil is designed to oil wooden ones.
Here’s a look at your best options:
Natural Oils vs. Synthetic Options: What Works Best?
Synthetic oils work much better for oiling a wooden cutting board because they do not break down like natural oils. Do not use natural oils like peanut oil, olive oil, vegetable oil, virgin coconut oil, or corn oil. They can go rancid quickly, leaving your board smelly and your food tasting funny.
We recommend using synthetic oil, like food-safe mineral oil, to keep your wooden cutting board looking like new.
Types of Mineral Oils
Choosing the right mineral oil can be overwhelming because mineral oils have a wide range of uses, from machinery to beauty products. Don’t worry; we are here to help.
Mineral oils are derived from petroleum; they undergo several refining processes, depending on their intended use.
Three major categories of mineral oils are:
- Light mineral oil
- Heavy mineral oil
- White mineral oil
White mineral oil is the most refined of the three options. It is commonly used in cosmetics and food production.
There is some debate about how safe mineral oil is to use on wooden cutting boards because it is petroleum-based. Still, white mineral oil goes through several certification processes before it is labeled “food-grade” or “food-safe.” When choosing a good mineral oil for oiling and seasoning your cutting board, look for these characteristics that will give you the safest options:
- Choose white mineral oil that is labeled “food-grade” or “food-safe.”
- Look for pure USP-grade white mineral oil.
- Select FDA-approved mineral oils only.
- Pick only white mineral oils that are labeled “odorless,” “tasteless,” and “colorless.”
How to Make Your Own Cutting Board Oil at Home
While mineral oil might be the ideal synthetic choice, we will show you how to make your own cutting board oil at home. The most popular recipe is a mixture of mineral oil and beeswax.
To make the oil, follow these steps:
- Mix four parts of food-grade mineral oil with one part of beeswax. Pour the mineral oil and beeswax directly into the pot you plan to use to heat the mixture.
- Heat the mixture in a pot. Stir occasionally until the wax is melted.
- Place in small tin containers. The beeswax turns the mineral oil into a hardened paste, so the best option is to store your homemade recipe in a small tin container.
Beeswax is a natural moisturizer that adds more conditioning to your wooden cutting board than mineral oil alone. Its thicker properties fill in microscopic nicks and cuts where bacteria can reside. Also known as spoon butter, this mineral oil and beeswax formula will make your board shine like a thing of beauty.
How to Oil a Wooden Cutting Board in 7 Easy Steps
After seasoning your board for the first time, you should periodically oil it to keep its waterproof layer and condition its wood fibers.
To oil your board, follow these seven steps:
- Wash it with water and mild soap: Wash all sides of the cutting board to prevent warping (when your board bends and is uneven when laid flat).
- Dry it thoroughly with a clean towel: Wiping away excess water with a clean dish towel or a paper towel prevents the water from soaking into the wood fibers.
- Let it air dry for 24 hours: We recommend standing the board on its side and leaning it against the wall to make sure it gets good air circulation evenly on both sides.
- Apply oil: Use a food-safe mineral oil and coat all sides of the cutting board.
- Rub the mineral oil over all surfaces: Spread the mineral oil on all sides of the wooden cutting board with a soft, clean cloth, like a paper towel or a dishtowel. Reapply it until all sides of the board are entirely covered.
- Wipe away excess oil: Wipe off any extra oil that pools on the surface.
- Let it dry for 24 hours: Lean the cutting board against the wall to allow all sides to dry evenly.
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Benefits of Oiling a Cutting Board
Oiling a cutting board might seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it! There are many benefits to keeping your wooden cutting board oiled and healthy, such as:
- It will last much longer.
- It will be more sanitary for food preparation.
- The oil protects the wood fibers, so your cutting board will always look brand new!
- After proper seasoning and oiling, the protective barrier makes your board easier to clean.
- Treating your board with the occasional coat of oil will prevent water from soaking into the wood fibers, which means no warping!
- The oil barrier protects the edges of the board from knife damage.
How Often Should I Oil a Cutting Board?
Knowing how to oil a cutting board (and how often) is the key to keeping your prized kitchen feature in great shape.
Oiling a wooden cutting board is essential maintenance that should be performed regularly to keep it shining and healthy. No matter how well you season your board, the oil barrier won't last forever.
If you use your wooden cutting board daily, you should oil it every two weeks. If you only use it periodically, you should oil it at least once a month. However, if you notice your board looks dry and feels rough, you can oil it more often.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Oiling Cutting Boards
Oiling a cutting board is a delicate process that can either protect or destroy your board. Try to avoid these common mistakes when seasoning or oiling your board:
- Trying to oil a dirty board
- Using a natural oil (like vegetable or olive oil) that can turn rancid
- Using a rough cloth or sponge to spread the oil
- Oiling only one side of the cutting board
- Drying only one side by laying it flat to dry.
The Dos and Don'ts of Post-Oiling Care
Now that you know how to oil your cutting board properly, here are some more tips and tricks to make it last forever!
| Dos | Don’ts |
| Always wash your wooden cutting board by hand | Never put it in the dishwasher. |
| Store your board in a cool, dry place with good air circulation while drying. | Don’t store it in an area with no air circulation (i.e., in a drawer or a pantry) before it is completely dry. |
| Always wipe it clean with a towel or wash it with mild dish detergent. | Never soak the board to clean it. |
| Schedule regular oiling maintenance for your board. | Never wait to oil your cutting board when the wood fibers get dull and dry. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In this section, you’ll find the most frequently asked questions we receive about oiling wooden cutting boards.
Can I Use the Same Process to Oil My Wooden Utensils?
Yes, you can oil wooden utensils the same way you oil wooden cutting boards. After washing and drying, you can oil wooden spoons, spatulas, forks, and other wooden cooking utensils to maintain their cleanliness and appearance.
Can You Use Olive or Vegetable Oil on Cutting Boards?
No, you should not use olive or vegetable oil on cutting boards. These cooking oils can go rancid, causing foul odors.
Is It Safe to Use Scented Oils on Wooden Cutting Boards?
No, using scented oils on wooden cutting boards is unsafe. Only use food-safe oils, such as mineral oil. We recommend using an FDA-approved, food-grade white mineral oil that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless.
Is It Normal For My Cutting Board to Change Color After Oiling?
Yes, it is entirely normal for your cutting board to change color after oiling. The oil hydrates dry wood fibers, leading to a deeper, darker color in the wood grain.
Conclusion - How to Oil Cutting Boards
A wooden cutting board makes a great gift for your favorite cook or an excellent investment in your kitchenware. Knowing how to oil a cutting board is the best way to keep it sanitary and in great condition. With regular loving care, your cutting boards and utensils will last for years.
Now that you know how to properly care for wooden cutting boards and utensils, explore our entire collection of eco-friendly kitchen products!
