How to Oil a Cutting Board in 6 Simple Steps

Much like all wood kitchen tools, wooden cutting boards have natural pores. These pores can absorb food waste and become targets for mold. Wood fibers can also dry out, causing a board to splinter, or trap excess moisture, which might lead to warping.

These problems all have the same prevention technique: periodically rubbing your wood board with food-grade mineral oil. When applied quarterly or monthly, mineral oil will let your wooden board or butcher blocks last through many years of productive use.

With the proper tools and technique, oiling a cutting board is quite easy.

1. 1. Select your oil. The best cutting board oil is a mineral oil rated for food contact. Linseed oil and beeswax can also do the job nicely. Some companies also make a wood board cream using these same ingredients.
2. 2. Cover your wooden cutting board with oil. Pour a healthy amount of oil on the top surface of your dry, clean cutting board. A few tablespoons should do the trick.
3. 3. Rub in the oil. Using a soft cloth or paper towel, rub the oil in slow circular motions. Make sure you cover all surfaces of the board, including the end grains.
4. 4. Wipe away the excess oil. Your cutting board should not have oil running off of it. Use clean cloths to wipe it dry as best you can.
5. 5. Repeat steps two through four. After you've done one round of oiling, do another one. This can be especially helpful on a new board that has never received a wood oil treatment.
6. 6. Let the board air-dry overnight. Let your cutting board air-dry on a dish rack and wipe it down one more time the following day. If the board feels at all wet, you'll need more drying time. If it feels dry, it is ready to use.

Follow these simple tips for oiling your cutting board.

1. 1. Use the right type of oil. Be sure to use a food-safe oil like linseed or food-grade mineral oil. Liquid paraffin is a popular option. Avoid using cooking oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, or other vegetable oils because this type of oil will develop a rancid odor.
2. 2. Only oil wood boards. Plastic cutting boards do not need to be oiled. Simply wash these boards in hot water and dish soap and let them dry thoroughly.
3. 3. Wash wooden cutting boards by hand. Dishwashers can dry out the wood pores of your cutting board and lead to cracking and warping.
4. 4. Avoid bleaching your wood cutting boards. Bleach can dry out your wood board. Use warm soapy water for your regular cleaning. If you smell food waste or see mildew on the board, apply white vinegar instead of bleach.
5. 5. Apply the same maintenance techniques to all wooden kitchen tools. You can oil wooden spoons and spatulas using the same DIY technique you'd use on a wooden cutting board. Doing so will greatly enhance their lifespans.

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