Chopping Board Care Instructions

Coconut Oil with coconuts
  • How do I care for my chopping board to keep it looking great?
  • What are the best Chopping Board Oils?
  • What natural oil is best to seal wooden kitchen utensils & where can you buy it in Australia?

Chopping Board Oil Instructions

  • What chopping board oils are safe to be in contact with food?

  • What Chopping Board Oils are ALL natural?

    If you have questions about oils to use on your wooden kitchen items you’ve come to the right place. I will answer these questions below. These care instructions provide a list of safe oils you can use on your cutting boards and any wooden utensils you have in your kitchen. Even on a budget!

    Does anyone in your family have allergies?
    *If you have any allergies please research safe oils for wood by using my links in the headings below then decide which oil is best for your situation. This list is updated as I personally test chopping board oils in my own kitchen and do more research.
  • *These options are advice only and your unique circumstances may be different.
    For example Peanut Oil is not a good option for those allergic to nuts.

Cutting Board Care Instructions

chopping board care instructions

 

I’d received a couple of emails asking what oil is best to use for care and maintenance of my chopping boards, so rather than re-write most of it I thought I’d paste it here for all to read.
This is my email reply to a happy owner of one of my chopping boards.

CHOPPING BOARD MAINTENANCE

  • The main thing you need to do is make sure nobody puts it in the DISHWASHER as this will dry out the wood fibres and may cause it to warp or split.

  • Wipe it down after use.
    We just wipe ours clean with a damp cloth when needed, it stays on the bench, has quite a few cuts on the surface now from making sandwiches over the years but it just adds a bit of character, can’t worry too much as that’s what it’s for.
    As long as you don’t leave stuff on there to dry crusty I think that’s the best way to look after them.
    Wet chopping boards need to be put up on edge to allow both sides to dry.
  • How safe are wooden cutting boards?
    Wood is the safest cutting board, in my opinion, plastic boards trap moisture and germs breed like crazy in the cuts.
  • Can I cut Meat on it?
    Of course you can – Butchers have used Ash and Oak for cutting meat on for 1000’s of years, as long as it’s wiped then allowed to dry it should be fine, even if it does get a bit stained sometimes. Just remember the rules when handling raw meat.

BEST OPTIONS FOR SEALING CUTTING BOARDS

  • Do I really need to use oil?

Some recommend that you don’t oil them at all because that can trap moisture but I find it helps to keep them clean and stop dirt penetrating so as long as you don’t slap oil on it every day I think it’s fine.

  1. What Oil is best?

    What Chopping Board Oil is best?


    It’s always best to buy a ready made oil that is especially suited and foodsafe to protect your chopping boards and wooden kitchen utensils. Although there are cheap chopping board oils mentioned below

    What do I use for maintaining my wooden kitchen items and chopping boards.

    I’m always looking for the easiest solution, otherwise I tend not to do it enough.
    For this reason I recommend you grab a small bottle of Gilly’s by clicking the link below. 

    1. Gilly’s Chopping Board Oil – I find this small bottle of food-grade oil is best for maintaining wooden chopping boards, spoons, spatulas and any other wooden kitchen utensils. It has a nice fresh orange aroma and has rave reviews.
      Keep a bottle handy in your kitchen!
      Purchase your very own bottle here in My Shop, for a bargain price, only $5 postage for a limited time.

    Bottle of Gilly's Chopping board oil 100ml orange oil
    An easy to use 100ml bottle of the finest chopping board oil. Gilly’s Chopping Board Oil is great for all your kitchen utensils.


  2. I also use Livos Countertop Oil on the wood to seal it when I make them, that’s the best hardwax oil I’ve ever tried and it’s fully natural, unlike others that have poisons & drying agents even though they claim to be all natural.
    So you could always buy a tin of this if you have a few raw timber boards you need to finish but there are some alternatives below that are easy to find at your local supermarkets or chemists.
    a can of livos countertop oil environmentally friendly plant oil finish
    This is the best sealing oil I’ve found in all the years of using natural oil finishes. It’s a unique blend of organic food grade sustainable environmentally friendly plant oils. And as an added bonus it really works!

     

Other Cheap Oils Commonly Used on Wooden Kitchen Products

  1. Some people rub Canola Oil on every now and then but I’ve heard mixed reports – some say it goes rancid eventually. This is the same with most vegetable oils.
    But if it’s getting constant use and not left sitting in a damp dark cupboard for 6 months I think you’ll be fine with any oil.

  2. Grapeseed Oil

    is better, less likely to go rancid.
    This is a great natural chopping board oil & available in most supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths or IGA.

  3. Coconut Oil

    Is great for use on chopping boards any many other uses (see below). In our cold winter it is solid in the jar though so you need to heat it first to make it liquid,  easily done with a hair dryer on the board while you rub it in with your hand being careful not to overheat.

    I’ve been using it on pine chopping boards and the Beard Combs and it adds a nice colour which is surprising because it looks white in the jar when solid. It’s also totally natural, edible, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, so I think it’s possibly the best choice I’ve come across at the local shops.

  4. Coconut Oil has many uses & benefits to your health but there are some things you may not be aware of.
    If you would like to learn more about the health effects (and topical uses!) of coconut oil, its potential benefits and downsides, and its components such as lauric acid and MCTs.
    please visit Gerard’s helpful website called ManyEats. A wealth of information!
    https://manyeats.com/health-effects-of-coconut-oil/

    Coconut Oil with coconuts

  5. The other alternative many woodworkers use and recommend is
    Mineral Oil – also known as

    Liquid Paraffin Oil

    a highly refined mineral oil sold in the chemist as a laxative so it is safe to use on chopping boards, it’s a liquid so sold in a bottle usually.
    I used to use it on my chopping boards but these days I’ve gone more for natural oil products, rather than products from industries that are bad for the environment.
    (PETROLEUM PRODUCT WARNING!)

    Conclusion
    Your best bet is to use an oil that is all natural, great for your health and the environment.
    Not something that is just cheap and easy to buy locally.
    Order the best oil online from me and you’ll have a bottle handy in your kitchen for many years to come.
    Posting out each week day, you’ll have it in no time!

Hopefully that helps answer some of your questions about the best oils for chopping boards & I haven’t confused you with all my rambling on!
Please contact me if you have any questions about your wooden kitchen items.
With a little care you will continue to enjoy beautiful wooden kitchen wares in your kitchen for many years to come.


Thanks for reading all the way to the bottom of my page!

If you appreciate the information I provided here please consider making a purchase from my handmade Australian wood products shop
or
Biome Australia, – I will earn a small commision on any items you buy through this link and that would be a great help to my small business and inspire me to do more useful articles on my Blog in future.

I only promote natural environmentally-friendy products that I use and recommend myself.

Regards
Andrew Wilkerson

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Follow My Blog | Andrew Wilkerson | Woodworker | AusWorkshop

Photo of Andrew Wilkerson Woodworker

Here’s a list of places you can find me around the web and follow my blog.
This Blog & my Instagram feed can both be viewed on Tumblr.

Around the web

Originally Published
2017/07/24 at 1:01 pm

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Bible

Ancient paths of scripture

Bible Talk

This page is dedicated to all things bible related and discussions about the times we live in and how it all relates to the bible.

As I expand this section of my blog it will include links to interesting websites I’ve found along my Christian walk and a collection of small wooden plaques with some of my favourite verses from the bible laser engraved into Australian timber and recycled wood. These will be available to purchase through my shop page on this website.

Thus says the Lord:

Jeremiah 6:16
“Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.

armour-of-god

If you’re new to the bible and don’t know where to start or if you’re lost and unsure of what you believe please take some time to read through some of the text on the websites linked on this page below. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that many others have gone before you. I was once feeling overwhealmed with the state of the world, searching for answers and the empty feeling that nothing else in this world can fill my life. Don’t ignore it all and write it off as a bunch of irrelevent writings from some crazy men who were living many years ago and have nothing to offer your world today. The word of God is everlasting.

It hasn’t been easy, but looking back now I realise how important it was to take that first step.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105

Here’s a handy list of all the books, you can listen to Genesis by clicking the link, I should be able to get the other books working again soon. The bible is divided into two sections as shown, these are called testements.

Old Testement

#01. Genesis

#02. Exodus

#03. Leviticus

#04. Numbers

#05. Deuteronomy

#06. Joshua

#07. Judges

#08. Ruth

#09. 1 Samuel

#10. 2 Samuel

#11. 1 Kings

#12. 2 Kings

#13. 1 Chronicles

#14. 2 Chronicles

#15. Ezra

#16. Nehemiah

#17. Esther

#18. Job

#19. Psalms

#20. Proverbs

#21. Ecclesiastes

#22. Song of Solomon

#23. Isaiah

#24. Jeremiah

#25. Lamentations

#26. Ezekiel

#27. Daniel

#28. Hosea

#29. Joel

#30. Amos

#31. Obadiah

#32. Jonah

#33. Micah

#34. Nahum

#35. Habakkuk

#36. Zephaniah

#37. Haggai

#38. Zechariah

#39. Malachi

New Testement

New Testement

#40. Gospel of Matthew

#41. Gospel of Mark

#42. Gospel of Luke

#43. Gospel of John

#44. Acts

#45. Romans

#46. 1 Corinthians

#47. 2 Corinthians

#48. Galatians

#49. Ephesians

#50. Philippians

#51. Colossians

#52. 1 Thessalonians

#53. 2 Thessalonians

#54. 1 Timothy

#55. 2 Timothy

#56. Titus

#57. Philemon

#58. Hebrews

#59. James

#60. 1 Peter

#61. 2 Peter

#62. 1 John

#63. 2 John

#64. 3 John

#65. Jude

#66. Revelation

Some websites you might like to check out

  • FeetofJesus.net – Read Jeff’s story and use the links to videos.
  • Strange Normal – A link to YouTube videos interesting topics, UFOs, Aliens, AI, The spirit world, and more.
  • LED – Light Exposing Darkness – Hidden Meanings in Movies. Should your kids be watching these things?
  • Land of The Living
    I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
    That I would see the goodness of the Lord
    In the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

    Much more coming soon…

Enjoy and may God bless.

Feel free to comment below, I would love to hear your testimony. I encourage interesting discussion, please keep in mind the purpose of this page is to spread love not hate. If you don’t understand this please go elsewhere.

Andrew

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Green Living Festivals

Victorian Gum Tree at the Apex Park in Heyfield

Green Living Festivals

Looks like a fun day for the family & the planet at the same time!

After reading an interesting post on Tammy Logan’s blog Gippsland Unwrapped about the Casey Green Living Festival (which evolved from a Cloth Nappy Expo) I thought it might be a good idea to provide a resource of links to other Green Living Festivals or similar events around Australia (not limited to Victoria or the Gippsland region).  They often have a great list of FREE activities for the family.  So take your kids for a look if you’re in the area, looks like a fun day.

VICTORIA

Casey Green Living Festival

– from Casey’s Website
When? – 16 Nov 2019 | 10.00 am – 3.00 pm

Where?
Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick North East Drive, Narre Warren 3805 Check on map

Free activities!!

  • Bike n’ Blend – make your own pedal-powered smoothie
  • Reptile encounters – up-close wildlife experiences 
  • Face painting – recycling themed
  • Recycling truck – jump in the driver’s seat to have your photo taken
  • Interactive water catchment model and water bug activity 
  • Roving bubble entertainer (supporting the “Bubbles not Balloons” campaign)
  • Roving entertainment by “The Connies” sharing swap cards on local birdlife and waste reduction actions

Talks and workshops

Please click the links to book your spot in the talks and workshops:

10.30am – 11.00am: Home composting
11.15am – 11.45am: Reduce your waste
12.00pm – 12.30pm: Having a wildlife friendly garden
12.45pm – 1.15pm: SECCCA: Energy efficiency in the home
1.30pm – 2.00pm: Making beeswax wraps
2.15pm – 2.45pm: Recycling right

Stallholders

You can view the complete list of stallholders from our website.

Go to the Events Page here for more details and info on stall holders.

If you’re planning a festival or even a craft market in your area and would like to be listed here please Contact Me and I’ll be more than happy to add you to this list as it grows.

For more information about Gippsland Unwrapped and the great work that Tammy does, you can read her story here https://gippslandunwrapped.com/our-story/

You might just find yourself reading through all the great tips she has on sustainable living and minimalist lifestyle and how you can apply these things to your own life in small ways.  Every little bit counts but often we are overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin so I think blogs like this are fantastic for those that would like to get more involved in sustainable living but need simple clear instructions or ideas without having to spend hours doing your own research reinventing the wheel.

Tammy’s original article about the Casey Green Living Festival can be viewed through this link below, looks like a big day planned and I hope it all goes well.

https://gippslandunwrapped.com/2019/10/29/casey-green-living-festival-from-cloth-nappies-to-green-funerals/

 

Help me grow this list!!!

Have fun!
Andrew

Related Images:

Case / Box Work In Progress Part 2

Squaring up the end of the slot with a chisel

Custom Made Case Notary Public Stamp Seal Press Pt 2

Night time workshop goings ons!

  • Fitting the base
  • Fitting the Lid
  • Shaping the Raised Panel

Some more work in progress photos of the Stamp/Seal box. In this post I will show the steps involved in fitting the base and lid into the slots as well as fitting the solid brass plaque into the top.

Squaring up the end of the slot with a chisel
Extending the slot length into the dovetails and squaring up the end without breaking through! Just a nudge with the palm is enough, this QLD Maple works well with sharp hand tools.

It’s little things like this that take the extra time — I like to sneak up on the fit rather than create a slot that’s slightly too wide or too deep, there’s nothing worse than getting half way through the glue up only to find something is slightly out of line or the base bottoms out in the slot and throws the whole thing out of square.

It can be very hard to correct once you have glue on the tight fitting dovetails, so preparation is key.

Read more

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