April 13, 2014

Cutting Board Care


A long, long, time ago... well, maybe not that long ago, probably in 2006, my husband decided he wanted to make me an elaborate jewelry box for my birthday. He got online and looked for kits and somewhere along the way, he decided he could make it himself. His brother is a high-end cabinetmaker, so Zack went down to his shop to make a blueprint. Somewhere along this carpentry journey, my husband realized that he actually had zero ability to make the jewelry box. Instead, his brother Kyle helped him make something more inline with his skill set, and thus, I have these custom cherry cutting boards. Believe it or not, I actually like these cutting boards way more than a jewelry box. These gems get used way more frequently, but you actually have to maintain them. Read on for the tutorial. 




We will look at two methods of cutting board care. One for when you cutting block is starting to look dried out. The other is for every day, when you ned to remove odors or it just needs a good clean.

When you need to freshen up your cutting board all you need is a natural oil, you have several to choose from. You can use walnut oil, almond oil, mineral oil, coconut oil, linseed oil, or even melted beeswax.


 These are great drying oils that will protect your surface. I choose linseed oil (or boiled flaxseed) because it also polymerizes, or hardens on the surface. (You should NOT use vegetable oil or olive oil, they will go rancid.)

Use a rag to apply a generous coat of oil, rubbing it all over the front and back of the cutting board. After a few minutes you should wipe off any excess. Linseed oil is a little yellowing, you could use walnut oil as a good alternative.


Isn't it pretty now? It looks all dark and beautiful again! I often keep my cutting boards on the counter as a display, but it's probably, in part, because they're sentimental. I don't know how "normal" that is!

 

I felt this post would only be half helpful without this second portion. 
You don't need to oil your boards that frequently, but you do need to clean and deodorize them much more often, based on frequency of use. 


As you use your cutting board you should clean the surface. Do not submerge them in water to clean and certainly never put them in the dishwasher. About monthly your cutting boards need to be cleaned more intensely. You should sprinkle the cutting board with salt and them use a cut lemon to rub the salt into the board's surface. Remember to do both sides of the board and then rinse with water. 


Now it looks brand new and I've protected cutting boards that were gifted to me 8 years ago!! I've shared what I know about caring for your cutting boards, what tricks do you use?  


I also showed you how to use boiled linseed oil as a wood pretreatment. You can see that here.

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