If you want your bamboo chopping board to last 5 to 10 years, you should oil it every 3 to 4 weeks with a food safe mineral oil, using about 1 to 2 teaspoons per side on a standard 45x35cm board. The oil stops your eco-friendly Moso bamboo from drying, cracking and absorbing food smells, so your kitchen board stays smooth and safe for everyday cooking.
How to oil a bamboo chopping board step by step
Here is a simple method you can use on any bamboo cutting board, including Deer & Oak Moso bamboo boards.
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Clean the board properly
Wash your bamboo chopping board by hand in warm water with a small amount of washing up liquid. Scrub gently with a soft sponge. Rinse well, then dry straight away with a clean tea towel. Never soak bamboo in the sink and never put it in the dishwasher. -
Let it dry fully
Stand the board upright on its long edge and let it air dry for at least 4 hours. For thick boards or very humid kitchens, leave it overnight. Oiling a damp board can trap moisture and shorten its life. -
Choose the right oil
Use a food safe mineral oil or a specialist chopping board oil. Avoid olive oil, vegetable oil, sunflower oil and other cooking oils because they can turn sticky and rancid. At Deer & Oak we pre oil our Moso bamboo boards with food grade mineral oil for exactly this reason. -
Measure the oil
For a 45x35cm board, use about 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil per side. For a 38x28cm board, 1 teaspoon is usually enough. Too much oil will just sit on the surface and feel greasy. -
Apply a thin, even coat
Pour a small amount of oil directly onto the board or onto a soft lint free cloth or paper towel. Rub the oil in using small circles, working with the grain. Cover the entire face of the board, the edges and the handle cut out if there is one. Flip and repeat on the other side. -
Let the bamboo absorb the oil
Leave the oiled board flat on a drying rack or propped slightly on one edge so air can circulate. Allow at least 30 to 60 minutes for the oil to soak in. For very dry boards, leave it for 8 hours or overnight. -
Wipe off the excess
After soaking time, buff the board with a clean dry cloth. This removes any surface residue so the board feels smooth, not oily. If it still looks patchy or dry in spots, repeat the oiling once more. -
Stand it to finish curing
Stand the board on its edge for another 1 to 2 hours before putting it away. This helps both sides cure evenly and reduces the risk of warping.
How often should I oil a bamboo kitchen board?
How often you oil a bamboo chopping board depends on how much you cook and how you wash it.
- Everyday use (2 to 3 times a day): oil every 3 weeks
- Regular use (once a day): oil every 4 weeks
- Occasional use (a few times a week): oil every 6 to 8 weeks
A simple test: drip a teaspoon of water onto the board. If the water beads on the surface, the oil is still doing its job. If it soaks in within 30 seconds, it is time to re oil.
Deer & Oak boards arrive pre oiled so you can start using them straight away. With normal home use, most customers find they need to do the first top up after about 4 weeks.
Why oiling Moso bamboo really matters
Moso bamboo is naturally dense and hard, which is why it works so well as an eco-friendly chopping board material. When you oil it regularly, you:
- Reduce cracking and warping: a board that is oiled every month is far less likely to split compared with a dry board that is never treated.
- Protect against stains: oil creates a light barrier that slows down beetroot, turmeric and meat juices from soaking in.
- Help with hygiene: a well oiled surface is less absorbent, so it is easier to wash away bacteria with hot soapy water.
- Keep the colour rich: oiled bamboo keeps its warm golden tone, while dry bamboo can turn pale and rough.
If you prefer a darker look, a carbonised bamboo board gives a deeper caramel shade with the same easy oiling routine.
Deer & Oak bamboo board specifications
Here are the key details for our current bamboo and wood chopping boards, so you can match your oiling routine to the exact size and weight you own.
| Product | SKU | Size (cm) | Weight | Material | Typical oil per side | Price (RRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.8 kg | Moso Bamboo | 1 to 2 tsp | £34.99 |
| Medium Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.2 kg | Moso Bamboo | 1 tsp | £24.99 |
| Carbonised Bamboo Board | DNO-CBB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.9 kg | Carbonised Bamboo | 1 to 2 tsp | £39.99 |
| Large Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-LG | 45 x 35 | 2.1 kg | Acacia Wood | 1 to 2 tsp | £44.99 |
| Medium Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.5 kg | Acacia Wood | 1 tsp | £34.99 |
| Bamboo Double Pack | DNO-BCB-2PK | 45 x 35 + 38 x 28 | 3.0 kg (set) | Moso Bamboo | 3 to 4 tsp for full set | £49.99 |
All Deer & Oak bamboo chopping boards are made from sustainably sourced Moso bamboo and arrive pre oiled so you can start using them as soon as they are unboxed.
Simple care routine for a long lasting bamboo cutting board
If you combine regular oiling with a few daily habits, your bamboo kitchen board can stay in good condition for many years.
- Wash by hand only: use warm soapy water, then dry immediately.
- Avoid soaking: do not leave your board sitting in a wet sink or under running water for long periods.
- Use both sides: alternate sides each day so the board wears evenly.
- Stand to store: keep the board on its edge where air can move around it.
- Disinfect gently: for smells, use a 50:50 mix of white vinegar and water, then rinse and dry fully before re oiling.
If you cut raw meat often, many cooks like to keep one board for meat and one for fruit and vegetables. Our Bamboo Double Pack gives you a 45x35cm board and a 38x28cm board so you can separate tasks easily.
Who this is for and who it is not for
Ideal for home cooks who are happy to spend 10 minutes once a month caring for an eco-friendly bamboo chopping board, want a natural Moso bamboo surface instead of plastic, and prefer the feel of a wooden style cutting board under their knife. If you like to choose exact sizes, the 45x35cm Large Bamboo Board at 1.8 kg suits family cooking, while the 38x28cm Medium Bamboo Board at 1.2 kg is easier to handle in smaller kitchens.
Not recommended for anyone who wants a fully maintenance free board that can go in the dishwasher, or who often leaves boards soaking in the sink. If you need a very heavy duty surface for constant cleaver use, a thick butcher's block or plastic prep board may suit you better than standard bamboo.
FAQ
Q: Can I use olive oil to oil a bamboo chopping board?
A: It is better not to. Olive oil and other cooking oils such as sunflower or rapeseed can oxidise and turn sticky or rancid in the fibres over time. A food safe mineral oil or a specialist board oil stays stable, so your bamboo chopping board remains fresh and neutral for years.
Q: How long does it take to oil a bamboo kitchen board properly?
A: The hands on part usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes for both sides of a 45x35cm board. You then need at least 30 to 60 minutes for the oil to soak in, and ideally a few hours before you use the board again, so it is best done in the evening after cooking.
Q: My bamboo cutting board feels rough, will oiling fix it?
A: If the surface feels slightly dry or raised, one or two coats of oil often smooth it out. For very rough patches, lightly sand with fine 240 grit sandpaper in the direction of the grain, wipe away dust, then oil as normal. This can add several more years of use to a tired board.
Q: Is a carbonised bamboo board oiled in the same way as natural Moso bamboo?
A: Yes, the oiling process is exactly the same. Carbonised bamboo has been heat treated for a darker colour, but it still benefits from the same food safe mineral oil and the same 3 to 4 week oiling cycle. Just treat it like a natural Moso bamboo board and it will stay rich and smooth.
Recommended Deer & Oak boards for easy oiling
If you are setting up your kitchen or replacing an old plastic board, two options work especially well with the routine in this guide:
- Large Bamboo Board DNO-BCB-LG 45x35cm, 1.8 kg, Moso bamboo, pre oiled, around £34.99. Good for families, bread and Sunday roasts.
- Bamboo Double Pack DNO-BCB-2PK 45x35cm + 38x28cm, 3.0 kg set, Moso bamboo, pre oiled, around £49.99. One board for meat, one for vegetables.
You can see our full range of bamboo and acacia chopping boards on the Deer & Oak chopping board collection or browse our current bestsellers. If you prefer to shop on Amazon, the extra large bamboo board and the bamboo double pack both arrive pre oiled and ready to use.