How to Oil Wood Cutting Boards: A Few Easy Steps
My husband got me a beautiful solid walnut wood cutting board for Christmas, and I was so excited to start using it! But before I could start chopping, I followed a few steps to make sure it was primed and ready to go. Here is what I suggest to do when getting a new wooden cutting board:
- Wash the board with warm water and gentle soap
- Let the board dry completely
- Once dry, apply a generous amount of food grade mineral oil and rub it in with a cloth (you can also use your hands or a paper towel)
- Make sure to saturate all sides of the board
- Leave your board to marinate at least overnight, but preferably 24 hours
- Wipe off any excess oil, and it’s ready to use
For my existing wooden cutting boards, I like to initially saturate the board with salt and scrub with half a lemon, squeezing the juice as I go. This helps deodorize and sanitize the board.
Why Should I Oil My Wood Cutting Boards?
You’re spending your hard-earned money on kitchen tools, so it’s important to maintain them and increase their lifespan. Wooden cutting boards are extremely easy to maintain. Depending on how often you use them, you should be oiling (or seasoning) them typically every 1 to 3 months.
Seasoning wooden cutting boards has many benefits:
- Keeps the wood from drying out and cracking
- Prevents mold
- Extends longevity
- Prevents warping
To top it off, oiling your board will add a beautiful finish and make it look brand new again!