Caring for your new cutting board

Caring for Your New Cutting Board

If you have taken one of my cutting board workshops, or even if you haven’t, you probably want to know how to best care for your new wood cutting board. Since it’s difficult to remember everything we talked about in the workshops, I decided to post the care instructions here on the website so they are available for you to refer to at any time.

Before you use your new cutting board:

Season your new cutting board with food grade mineral oil, coconut oil, or other food safe board seasoning oil such as Howard’s Butcher-Block Conditioning Oil

Avoid vegetable oils, or other cooking oils, as they will go rancid over time.

To season your board, make sure it is completely dry. Apply the oil with a clean cloth in generous amounts, rubbing it in as you go. Make sure the board gets completely covered by the oil. Wipe the excess oil off with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Let it sit for 4 – 6 hours (overnight is even better) to completely cure, if there appear to be any dry areas, apply more oil to those areas, wipe off any excess.

Re-oil the board once or twice a month depending on how often you use it. This will help repel water and food particles that can grow bacteria.

Cutting Board Care:

Hand wash only

Wipe the cutting board with hot soapy water, rinse it with hot water only and  wipe it dry with a clean dish towel.

Store in a dry area, even hanging on the wall since you worked so hard to make it pretty. NOT behind your sink, or on the dish rack.

Do not submerge in water, or place in dishwasher or microwave.