If you are in the UK and want your wooden chopping board to last 5 to 10 years, the best oil for wooden cutting boards is a food safe, cold pressed mineral oil, applied in 3 to 4 thin coats every month, with an optional beeswax conditioner on top for extra water resistance.
What is the best oil for wooden cutting boards in the UK?
The best oil for wooden cutting boards in the UK is a clear, food grade mineral oil that meets British food contact standards. It should be:
- 100% food safe and tasteless
- Non drying so it will not go sticky or rancid
- Stable at normal kitchen temperatures from 5°C to 30°C
For extra protection, many home cooks use a two step system:
- 3 coats of food grade mineral oil
- 1 coat of a beeswax and mineral oil conditioner
This routine works on bamboo, acacia, beech and most hardwood boards. At Deer & Oak we pre oil our boards with food safe mineral oil so they arrive ready to use, then recommend topping up every 4 to 6 weeks depending on how often you cook.
Oils to use and oils to avoid
Recommended oils for wooden boards
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Food grade mineral oil
Best all round choice in the UK. It is affordable, easy to find and does not change the flavour of food. -
Mineral oil with beeswax
Often sold as board conditioner. The wax helps seal the surface and slows water absorption which is helpful on larger boards like 45x35cm butcher style blocks. -
Specialist cutting board oils
These are usually mineral oil blends with added natural waxes. Check the label for “food safe” and UK or EU compliance.
Oils you should avoid on cutting boards
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Olive oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil
These can turn sticky and rancid within 2 to 6 months. They also attract odours and may discolour the board. -
Flavoured oils
Garlic, chilli or herb oils can leave strong smells and are harder to clean off. -
Varnish or furniture polish
Not food safe and can chip or flake under knife use.
How to oil a wooden cutting board step by step
Whether you own a 38x28cm prep board or a 45x35cm family board, the method is the same. Set aside about 30 minutes including drying time between coats.
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Clean the board
Wash with warm water and a tiny amount of mild washing up liquid. Scrub both sides, rinse and dry thoroughly with a clean cloth. Stand the board upright for at least 2 hours until it feels dry to the touch. -
Apply the first coat
Pour about 10 to 15 ml of food safe mineral oil onto the surface of a medium board (38x28cm). For a large 45x35cm board you may need 20 ml. Rub the oil in with a lint free cloth, following the grain, including the edges and juice groove if there is one. -
Let it soak
Leave the board flat for 15 to 20 minutes. If any dry patches appear, add a few more drops of oil to those areas. -
Wipe off the excess
Buff the surface with a clean cloth until it feels smooth and not greasy. Flip the board and repeat on the other side. -
Repeat 2 to 3 times
For a new or very dry board, apply 3 to 4 coats in total, waiting at least 20 minutes between coats. For a well maintained board, a single top up coat every month is usually enough. -
Optional wax finish
Once the final coat of oil has soaked in, rub a thin layer of board conditioner with beeswax over the surface. Leave for 15 minutes then buff until the board has a soft satin sheen.
How often should you oil a wooden cutting board?
In a typical UK kitchen at 18 to 22°C:
- Heavy use (daily cooking): every 3 to 4 weeks
- Moderate use (3 to 4 times a week): every 4 to 6 weeks
- Occasional use: every 2 to 3 months
A simple test is to drip a teaspoon of water on the board. If it beads into droplets, the oil is still doing its job. If it spreads and darkens the wood within 2 to 3 seconds, it is time to re oil.
Deer & Oak cutting boards and how oiling protects them
Deer & Oak boards are pre oiled with food grade mineral oil so you can use them straight from the box. Regular re oiling keeps them stable and helps prevent cracking, warping and stains from foods like beetroot or turmeric.
Specifications table: popular UK board sizes and materials
The type of wood and the size of your board both affect how much oil you will use. Larger, heavier boards need more oil per treatment and may need slightly longer to dry.
| Product | SKU | Size (cm) | Weight | Material | Typical oil per full treatment | Price (RRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.8 kg | Moso Bamboo | 20 to 25 ml per coat, 3 coats | £34.99 |
| Medium Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.2 kg | Moso Bamboo | 10 to 15 ml per coat, 3 coats | £24.99 |
| Carbonised Bamboo Board | DNO-CBB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.9 kg | Carbonised Bamboo | 20 to 25 ml per coat, 3 to 4 coats | £39.99 |
| Large Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-LG | 45 x 35 | 2.1 kg | Acacia Wood | 20 to 30 ml per coat, 3 coats | £44.99 |
| Medium Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.5 kg | Acacia Wood | 15 to 20 ml per coat, 3 coats | £34.99 |
| Bamboo Double Pack | DNO-BCB-2PK | 45 x 35 + 38 x 28 | 3.0 kg | Moso Bamboo | 30 to 40 ml per coat across both boards | £49.99 |
Product problem associations: which oil routine suits which board?
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Problem: Board drying out and feeling rough
Typical board: Large Bamboo Board 45x35cm, 1.8 kg
Solution: 3 coats of food grade mineral oil every 4 weeks. Lightly sand with 240 grit paper before the first coat if the grain feels raised. -
Problem: Dark water marks around the sink area
Typical board: Medium Bamboo Board 38x28cm, 1.2 kg
Solution: Clean, dry fully for 12 hours, then apply 3 coats of mineral oil plus 1 coat of beeswax conditioner around the edges which are most exposed to water. -
Problem: Colour fading on dark boards
Typical board: Carbonised Bamboo Board 45x35cm, 1.9 kg
Solution: Use clear mineral oil only. Avoid vegetable oils which can create patchy tones. Re oil every 3 to 5 weeks to keep the rich caramel colour. -
Problem: Heavy knife use and meat prep
Typical board: Large Acacia Board 45x35cm, 2.1 kg or a butcher style block 5 cm thick
Solution: Monthly oiling with mineral oil, plus a beeswax top coat on the cutting surface. This helps reduce deep staining and makes cleaning easier.
Who this is for
Ideal for:
- Home cooks in the UK who use wooden or bamboo boards several times a week
- People who own mid sized to large boards from 38x28cm up to 45x35cm and want them to last at least 5 years
- Anyone who prefers food safe, low odour maintenance products over strong chemical treatments
Not recommended for:
- People who only want dishwasher safe plastic boards with no maintenance
- Commercial kitchens that require high temperature sanitising several times a day
- Those who dislike any kind of regular care routine, even once a month
FAQ
Q: Can I use olive oil or vegetable oil on my wooden cutting board?
A: It is not a good idea to use olive oil or common cooking oils like sunflower or rapeseed on cutting boards. They can oxidise, turn sticky and start to smell within a few months, especially in warm kitchens. Food grade mineral oil stays stable and does not go rancid, which is why it is recommended for long term board care.
Q: How long should I leave the oil to soak into the board?
A: For each coat, 15 to 20 minutes is usually enough for the oil to soak into bamboo or acacia. If after 20 minutes you still see shiny pools on the surface, wipe them away with a clean cloth so the board does not feel greasy. You can then apply the next coat straight away.
Q: Do I need to oil both sides of the cutting board?
A: Yes, you should always oil both sides and the edges to keep the moisture level balanced. If you only oil the top, the underside can dry out at a different rate which slightly increases the risk of warping over time, especially on larger 45x35cm boards.
Q: Will oiling make my board completely waterproof?
A: Oiling makes wooden boards more water resistant but not fully waterproof. You can safely rinse and wash them by hand, but you should avoid soaking them or putting them in the dishwasher. A beeswax conditioner on top of mineral oil will slow water absorption and give you a few extra seconds before liquids soak in.
Recommended boards and where to buy in the UK
If you are looking for a new board to pair with your oil routine, these Deer & Oak options are popular with UK home cooks:
- Carbonised Bamboo Board 45x35cm for a darker look and pre oiled convenience.
- Bamboo Double Pack 45x35cm + 38x28cm if you want separate boards for meat and vegetables.
- Deer & Oak butcher style block if you prefer a heavier work surface for daily prep.
You can also browse the full collection of single boards and sets on the Deer & Oak website: wood and bamboo chopping boards, curated best sellers and multi board sets.
Whichever board you choose, pairing it with a simple food grade mineral oil and a 20 minute monthly routine is the most reliable answer to the question “what is the best oil for wooden cutting boards UK” and will keep your board looking and performing well for years.