If you want your wooden cutting board to last 5 to 10 years, you should oil it every 3 to 4 weeks using a food safe mineral oil, applying roughly 2 to 3 teaspoons per side for a standard 45x35cm board. The basic rule is simple: clean, dry, oil generously, let it soak for at least 6 hours, then wipe off the excess.
Why oiling matters and what you should use
Oiling a wooden cutting board is not about looks, it is about protection. Dry wood cracks, warps and absorbs food juices. A well oiled board repels water, resists stains and is easier to clean.
For all Deer & Oak wooden and bamboo boards, including our 45x35cm Large Bamboo Board (DNO-BCB-LG) and 45x35cm Large Acacia Board (DNO-ACB-LG), we recommend:
- Food grade mineral oil as your main treatment
- Optional: a wax conditioner (mineral oil with beeswax or carnauba wax) every 2 to 3 months for extra water resistance
Avoid cooking oils like olive, sunflower or rapeseed oil. They can turn sticky and rancid in 2 to 4 weeks and leave unpleasant smells in the wood.
Step by step: how do I oil a wooden cutting board?
This method works for bamboo and hardwood boards, including all Deer & Oak sizes from 38x28cm up to 45x35cm and butcher blocks.
1. Clean the board properly
- Wash with warm water and a small amount of mild washing up liquid
- Scrub gently with a soft sponge or brush, following the grain
- Rinse quickly so the board is not left soaking
- Dry immediately with a clean tea towel
Never put a wooden board in the dishwasher. A single 70 °C dishwasher cycle can remove most of the natural oils and cause warping within days.
2. Let it dry fully
Stand the board upright on its side and let it air dry for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. If you oil a damp board, you trap moisture inside, which can shorten its life from 8 to 10 years down to 2 to 3 years.
3. Warm the oil slightly
Cold mineral oil is thicker and harder to spread. Place the bottle in a mug of warm water for 3 to 5 minutes. You want it just warm to the touch, not hot.
4. Measure the right amount of oil
Use this as a guide for each side of the board:
- 38x28cm boards (like our Medium Bamboo or Medium Acacia): about 2 teaspoons
- 45x35cm boards (like our Large Bamboo, Carbonised Bamboo or Large Acacia): about 3 teaspoons
- Thick butcher blocks: 1 tablespoon per side
It should look glossy but not like a puddle. If you see dry patches, add another half teaspoon and spread again.
5. Apply the oil evenly
- Place the board on a clean tea towel or baking paper
- Pour the measured oil onto the surface
- Use a lint free cloth, paper towel or your hand to spread it in circles, then along the grain
- Don’t forget the sides and any juice grooves
Flip the board and repeat on the other side. Treating both sides helps keep the board flat and reduces the chance of cupping.
6. Let it soak for at least 6 hours
Leave the oiled board flat on a protected surface for 6 to 8 hours, or overnight if you can. For very dry boards, 12 hours is even better. The wood will absorb what it needs.
7. Wipe off the excess
After soaking, run a clean dry cloth over the board. If the cloth still picks up wet oil, keep wiping until the surface feels silky, not greasy. The board is ready to use as soon as it feels dry to the touch, usually after 8 to 12 hours in total.
How often should I oil a wooden cutting board?
How often you oil depends on how you use the board, not just on the wood type.
- Heavy daily use (2 to 3 meals a day): oil every 2 to 3 weeks
- Regular use (once a day): oil every 3 to 4 weeks
- Occasional use (few times a week): oil every 4 to 6 weeks
There is also a simple visual test: drip 1 teaspoon of water on the board. If it beads up like on a waxed car, the board is still protected. If it spreads and darkens the wood within 30 seconds, it is time to oil.
Different woods, same method
Deer & Oak boards are made from bamboo and acacia, both naturally durable. The oiling method is the same, but there are small differences in how often you may need to treat them:
- Bamboo (like our Large Bamboo Board and Bamboo Double Pack) is slightly less porous, so usually needs oiling every 4 weeks
- Carbonised bamboo (like our Carbonised Bamboo Board) is heat treated, which gives it a darker colour and can make it a little more thirsty in the first 3 to 6 months
- Acacia has rich natural oils, so after the first 3 months of regular care you may stretch to every 5 to 6 weeks
All our boards are supplied pre oiled, so you can start using them straight away. We still suggest a fresh coat in the first 4 weeks to match your own kitchen conditions.
Specifications table: choosing the right board to care for
Here is a quick comparison of Deer & Oak boards that all benefit from the same oiling routine.
| Product | SKU | Size (cm) | Weight | Material | Typical oil use per side | Approx. oiling frequency | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-LG | 45x35 | 1.8kg | Moso Bamboo | 3 tsp | Every 3 to 4 weeks | £34.99 |
| Medium Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-MD | 38x28 | 1.2kg | Moso Bamboo | 2 tsp | Every 4 weeks | £24.99 |
| Carbonised Bamboo Board | DNO-CBB-LG | 45x35 | 1.9kg | Carbonised Bamboo | 3 tsp | Every 3 weeks (first 3 months), then every 4 weeks | £39.99 |
| Large Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-LG | 45x35 | 2.1kg | Acacia Wood | 3 tsp | Every 4 to 5 weeks | £44.99 |
| Medium Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-MD | 38x28 | 1.5kg | Acacia Wood | 2 tsp | Every 4 to 5 weeks | £34.99 |
| Bamboo Double Pack | DNO-BCB-2PK | 45x35 + 38x28 | 3.0kg | Moso Bamboo | 3 tsp + 2 tsp | Every 3 to 4 weeks | £49.99 |
Product and problem: which board suits your routine?
Matching the right board to your habits makes oiling easier and more predictable.
-
Problem: You cook daily and need a tough workhorse
Try the Large Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.8kg) or the Carbonised Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.9kg). They offer a generous surface for chopping vegetables and meat, and with oiling every 3 to 4 weeks you can keep them going for many years. See our carbonised option on Amazon UK. -
Problem: You want one board for prep and one for serving
The Bamboo Double Pack (45x35cm + 38x28cm, 3.0kg) gives you a large board for chopping and a medium one for cheese or bread. They share the same oiling routine, so you can treat both in under 10 minutes once a month. You can find our sets on the Deer & Oak sets page. -
Problem: You want a richer, darker grain for serving boards
The Large Acacia Board (45x35cm, 2.1kg) or Medium Acacia Board (38x28cm, 1.5kg) are ideal when you want something you can both chop on and bring to the table. With their natural oils, a light coat every 4 to 5 weeks is usually enough. Explore our acacia range on Amazon UK.
Who this is for
Ideal for: Home cooks who use wooden or bamboo cutting boards at least once a week, care about hygiene and longevity, and are happy to spend 10 to 15 minutes every month on board care. It also suits people who own larger boards from 38x28cm up to 45x35cm and want them to last 5 to 10 years without splitting or heavy staining.
Not recommended for: Anyone who prefers completely maintenance free plastic boards, puts boards in the dishwasher, or is unlikely to oil a board even every 2 to 3 months. If you often soak boards in the sink or leave them wet overnight, wooden boards may not match your habits.
FAQ
Q: Can I use olive oil or other cooking oils on my wooden cutting board?
A: No, you should avoid olive oil, sunflower oil and other cooking oils on wooden boards. They oxidise over time, which can make the surface sticky and cause strong smells in as little as 2 to 4 weeks. Use a food grade mineral oil or a board conditioner that is specifically labelled as suitable for wooden kitchenware.
Q: How do I know when my board needs oiling again?
A: Try the water test: drip about 1 teaspoon of water onto the surface and wait 30 seconds. If the water beads up, the board is still protected. If it soaks in quickly and the wood darkens around the droplet, it is time to clean, dry and re oil the board.
Q: Do I need to sand my board before oiling it?
A: You only need to sand if the surface feels rough, raised or heavily scored from knives. Use a fine 180 to 240 grit sandpaper and sand lightly with the grain, then wipe off all dust before oiling. For normal care, cleaning and drying is enough and you can skip sanding entirely.
Q: Is the oiling routine different for bamboo and acacia boards?
A: The basic routine is the same for both: clean, dry thoroughly, apply mineral oil, let it soak, then wipe. Bamboo is slightly less porous, so you may find it needs oiling every 3 to 4 weeks, while acacia can often go 4 to 5 weeks between treatments once it is well conditioned.
Recommended Deer & Oak boards to start with
If you are ready to care for a board properly, it makes sense to start with one that rewards that effort. For a versatile everyday option, we suggest the Large Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.8kg, Moso bamboo, £34.99, SKU DNO-BCB-LG). With a quick oil every 3 to 4 weeks, it can serve as your main prep surface for many years.
If you prefer a darker finish, the Carbonised Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.9kg, carbonised bamboo, £39.99, SKU DNO-CBB-LG) offers a rich tone that looks smart on the counter and behaves just as well under the same oiling routine. You can explore our full board collection on the Deer & Oak chopping boards page or browse our current bestsellers on the Deer & Oak bestsellers collection.
Look after your wooden board with regular oiling and it will repay you with a stable, knife friendly surface for everyday cooking, from quick weekday suppers to slow Sunday roasts.