Getting to Know your Cutting and Serving Boards

Wood is a porous material which needs to be properly maintained to remain a safe surface for food preparation and service.

Your new cutting and/or serving boards are prefinished with a base coat of food-grade mineral oil, which is designed to penetrate the grain of the wood and help moisturize and protect the wood fibers. Following the oil application, they are finish coated with a conditioner, which in addition to mineral oil, contains beeswax and vitamin E. These ingredients provide an extra layer of protection, keeping the natural beauty in and the moisture out.

With proper maintenance and care, you can prolong this natural beauty and the life of your new cutting board. Below we have compiled a simple set of guidelines to help you care for your new product.

Caring For Your New Board

1.       Maintaining a clean and conditioned cutting surface is one of the most important tips for the safety and longevity of a natural wood cutting board. You want to preserve the barrier between your food and the wood cutting surface. A quality cutting board/butcher block mineral oil and a conditioner are intended for this purpose.

a.       Depending on your use and household conditions, apply the oil a minimum of once a month. For added protection, follow up with a conditioner applied on a more regular basis, typically after a few uses. The added ingredients in the conditioner help keep the oil in and water out.

b.       Your boards have been finished with Howard’s products, which can be found here.

Cleaner

Oil

Conditioner

2.       Do not allow any liquids (including water, juices, brines, etc) to stand on the surface of the cutting board for an extended period of time. This can cause the wood grain to expand and soften, and can possibly weaken the glue joints.

3.       Clean the surface of your cutting board after each use, using mild soap and warm water. Immediately following, dry thoroughly. Do not use any chemical cleaners or other harsh detergents, as this can also damage the wood. NEVER place your cutting or serving board in the dishwasher.

4.       Avoid using heavy, sharp cleavers as this may permanently damage or split the surface of the cutting board.

Tips & Tricks

In the instance where you begin to notice some wear or the need for a potential repair, here are a few helpful tips.

1.       If you notice the cutting or serving board lighten in color, this is a sign the board is excessively dry.  Apply oil immediately, and increase the frequency of the conditioning.

2.      If you notice an abnormally rough area, this can be caused by liquid being left on the surface too long, causing the grain of the wood to raise. To remedy the problem, use some fine-grit sandpaper, lightly sand the surface WITH THE GRAIN, and then re-oil and condition.  

3.       If you notice a split or end check in your cutting board,  these can either be within the wood itself or at a glue joint. Many times, again, this is due to the board being soaked in liquid too long or from being excessively dry for too long. If the split or end check is minor, there is no large concern; be sure to clean the area, and then oil and condition as recommended above to help prevent any further damage. If the issue worsens, fill the split or end check with melted food grade paraffin wax, scrape off the excess, lightly sand the area smooth, and then continue oiling and conditioning as recommended.

4.       If you have any other questions regarding your new boards or are interested in others, please do not hesitate to contact us here.

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