If you want a direct answer: the best food safe oil for seasoning wooden cutting boards is pure, food grade mineral oil applied in 3 to 4 thin coats every 4 to 6 weeks. For extra water resistance on boards used daily, add a beeswax and mineral oil conditioner once a month.
Why food grade mineral oil is the best choice
When people ask about the best food safe oil for seasoning wooden cutting boards, they usually want three things: safety, long lasting protection and easy upkeep. Food grade mineral oil ticks all three boxes.
- Food safe and stable: It is tasteless, odourless and meets food contact standards.
- Does not go rancid: Unlike many cooking oils, it will not oxidise and smell after a few weeks.
- Penetrates deeply: It soaks into bamboo and hardwood fibres to reduce cracking and warping.
- Easy to reapply: You only need around 10 to 15 ml per side on a 45x35cm board.
At Deer & Oak we pre oil every board, from the 45x35cm Carbonised Bamboo Board to the 45x35cm Large Acacia Board, with food grade mineral oil so you can start using them straight out of the box.
Good, better, best: oils you can and cannot use
Not every oil in your kitchen cupboard is safe for seasoning wooden cutting boards. Here is how they compare.
Best choice: food grade mineral oil
This is the top recommendation for all Deer & Oak boards, including the 1.8 kg Large Bamboo Board and the 2.1 kg Large Acacia Board.
- Apply 3 to 4 coats when new, then 1 coat every 4 to 6 weeks.
- Use more often if the board looks dry or feels rough.
- Ideal for bamboo, acacia, beech and most hardwoods.
Excellent companion: mineral oil with beeswax conditioner
A conditioner that blends mineral oil with around 30 percent beeswax adds a light protective layer on top of the oiled wood.
- Use after mineral oil has soaked in overnight.
- Buff a thin layer on both sides and edges.
- Helps water bead on the surface and slows down staining.
Acceptable with care: some plant based oils
If you prefer plant based options, only use oils that dry and harden, and only if they are clearly labelled as food safe.
- Food safe walnut oil: Can be used on boards, but avoid if anyone has a nut allergy.
- Food safe pure tung oil: Forms a harder finish but needs several days to cure fully.
These are more demanding to apply than mineral oil and are not what we use on Deer & Oak products.
Oils to avoid completely
These can turn sticky, go rancid or damage the board.
- Olive oil
- Sunflower oil
- Rapeseed oil
- Coconut oil (solidifies and can trap odours)
- Flavoured or infused oils of any kind
If you season a board with these, you may notice a sour smell within 4 to 8 weeks and discolouration that is difficult to remove.
How to season a wooden cutting board step by step
Here is a simple method you can repeat every month. We will use the Deer & Oak Large Bamboo Board (45x35 cm, 1.8 kg) as an example, but it works for all our sizes.
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Clean and dry
Wash the board with mild washing up liquid and warm water. Rinse, then stand it upright to dry for at least 12 hours until the surface feels completely dry. -
Measure the oil
For a 45x35 cm board use around 10 to 15 ml of food grade mineral oil per side. For a 38x28 cm board use 7 to 10 ml per side. -
Apply in thin coats
Pour a small amount onto the board and spread it with a lint free cloth or paper towel. Cover both flat faces and all four edges. -
Let it soak
Leave the board flat for 20 to 30 minutes. If any dry patches appear, add a few more drops and spread again. -
Wipe off excess
After 30 minutes, wipe away any oil that has not soaked in. The surface should feel slightly silky, not greasy. -
Repeat 2 to 3 more times
For a new board, repeat this process 3 to 4 times in total. For ongoing care, 1 coat is usually enough. -
Optional beeswax finish
Once the final coat has soaked in overnight, buff a thin layer of a beeswax and mineral oil conditioner over the surface.
How oiling affects different Deer & Oak boards
All our boards are pre oiled, but regular seasoning with food grade mineral oil will keep them looking and performing well for 5 to 10 years or more, depending on use.
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Moso Bamboo (Large Bamboo Board DNO-BCB-LG, Medium Bamboo Board DNO-BCB-MD, Bamboo Double Pack DNO-BCB-2PK)
Dense and naturally moisture resistant. Benefits from oiling every 4 to 6 weeks if used daily. -
Carbonised Bamboo (Carbonised Bamboo Board DNO-CBB-LG)
Darker tone from heat treatment. Needs consistent oiling to keep the colour rich and prevent light patches. -
Acacia Wood (Large Acacia Board DNO-ACB-LG, Medium Acacia Board DNO-ACB-MD)
Attractive grain with natural colour variation. Oiling every month keeps the pattern sharp and reduces raised grain.
Specifications table: Deer & Oak boards and seasoning needs
| Product | SKU | Size (cm) | Weight | Material | Price | Recommended oil | Initial coats | Top up frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.8 kg | Moso Bamboo | £34.99 | Food grade mineral oil | 3 to 4 coats | Every 4 to 6 weeks |
| Medium Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.2 kg | Moso Bamboo | £24.99 | Food grade mineral oil | 3 coats | Every 4 to 6 weeks |
| Carbonised Bamboo Board | DNO-CBB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.9 kg | Carbonised Bamboo | £39.99 | Food grade mineral oil | 4 coats | Every 3 to 5 weeks |
| Large Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-LG | 45 x 35 | 2.1 kg | Acacia Wood | £44.99 | Food grade mineral oil | 3 to 4 coats | Every 4 to 6 weeks |
| Medium Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.5 kg | Acacia Wood | £34.99 | Food grade mineral oil | 3 coats | Every 4 to 6 weeks |
| Bamboo Double Pack | DNO-BCB-2PK | 45 x 35 + 38 x 28 | 3.0 kg | Moso Bamboo | £49.99 | Food grade mineral oil | 3 to 4 coats per board | Every 4 to 6 weeks |
Who this is for and who it is not for
Ideal for home cooks and professionals who want to keep wooden boards in good condition for 5 to 10 years, are happy to spend 10 to 15 minutes every month on care, and prefer materials like bamboo and acacia over plastic. If you use a heavy duty block, such as a 5 to 7 kg butcher's block, the same food grade mineral oil routine will protect it from splitting and deep staining.
Not recommended for anyone who wants a completely maintenance free surface, plans to put boards in the dishwasher, or prefers to cut directly on glass or stone. If you are not willing to oil a board at least every 2 to 3 months, a wooden board may dry out and a plastic or composite option might suit you better.
FAQ: best food safe oil for seasoning wooden cutting boards
Q: Can I just use olive oil or other cooking oils on my wooden board?
A: No, olive oil and most common cooking oils like sunflower and rapeseed will oxidise and can go rancid within a few weeks. This leads to sticky patches, unpleasant smells and can stain the grain. Stick to food grade mineral oil for consistent, long term protection.
Q: How often should I oil my cutting board if I use it every day?
A: For daily use, aim to oil your board every 4 to 6 weeks with food grade mineral oil. If the surface starts to look pale, feel rough, or stops repelling water before that, bring the next oiling forward by a week or two.
Q: Do I need to oil both sides of the board or just the top?
A: Always oil both flat faces and all edges so the board absorbs moisture evenly. Oiling only one side can encourage warping over time, especially on larger boards like 45x35 cm sizes.
Q: Is mineral oil safe for children’s food and high heat cooking?
A: Food grade mineral oil is safe on surfaces that touch children’s food, as it is stable and non reactive when used correctly. It is not a cooking oil and should never be heated in a pan, but it is completely fine on boards that you use for preparing hot ingredients.
Recommended Deer & Oak boards and where to buy
If you are ready to pair the best food safe oil for seasoning wooden cutting boards with a durable board, here are some practical options:
- Everyday all rounder: Deer & Oak Bamboo Double Pack (45x35 cm and 38x28 cm, 3.0 kg total). Pre oiled bamboo that responds very well to monthly mineral oil care.
- Dark statement board: Carbonised Bamboo Board 45x35 cm. The rich colour deepens beautifully when you maintain it with food grade mineral oil.
- Entertaining and carving: Large Acacia Board 45x35 cm, 2.1 kg. Ideal for roasts and sharing platters when kept topped up with oil.
You can explore the full range of single boards and sets on the Deer & Oak website: see our chopping board collection, browse curated board sets, or look at current bestsellers. Whichever size you choose, pairing it with regular applications of food grade mineral oil is the most reliable way to keep your wooden cutting boards safe, attractive and ready for everyday cooking.