If you want a straight answer: for most home kitchens, board butter every 2 to 4 weeks keeps a wooden or bamboo chopping board in better condition than mineral oil alone, while mineral oil is ideal for quick top ups between deeper treatments.
Mineral oil vs board butter for chopping boards: what is the real difference?
Both mineral oil and board butter protect wooden and bamboo cutting boards, but they do it slightly differently. Food grade mineral oil is a thin, clear oil that soaks deep into the board to stop it drying and cracking. Board butter is a thicker mix of mineral oil and waxes such as beeswax. It sits closer to the surface, giving extra water resistance and a soft sheen.
In practical terms, mineral oil is the daily workhorse, while board butter is the longer lasting coat that keeps your board looking and feeling cared for. On a 45x35cm Deer & Oak board used daily, mineral oil alone usually needs topping up every 1 to 2 weeks. Board butter can stretch that to around 3 to 4 weeks because the wax layer slows moisture loss.
When to choose mineral oil and when to choose board butter
Use mineral oil when:
- You need fast absorption and no residue, for example on a busy kitchen board that is washed several times a day.
- Your board feels very dry or looks pale and rough to the touch.
- You are treating a brand new board for the first 3 to 4 coats to saturate the fibres.
Mineral oil is especially helpful on large, thirsty boards such as the Deer & Oak Large Bamboo Board (DNO-BCB-LG, 45x35cm, 1.8kg) or the Large Acacia Board (DNO-ACB-LG, 45x35cm, 2.1kg). A single 15 to 20 ml application can restore a board that has started to look grey or patchy after heavy use.
Use board butter when:
- You want a richer finish with a gentle sheen, especially for serving boards and charcuterie.
- You want longer gaps between treatments, for example every 3 to 4 weeks instead of every 1 to 2 weeks.
- You need extra water resistance around sinks and busy family kitchens.
Board butter shines on darker boards such as the Deer & Oak Carbonised Bamboo Board (DNO-CBB-LG, 45x35cm, 1.9kg) and our Acacia range, where the wax helps to deepen the grain and even out colour after washing.
How to care for a chopping board step by step
1. Daily cleaning
- Wash by hand with warm water and a small amount of mild washing up liquid.
- Rinse, then towel dry within 2 minutes.
- Stand the board on its edge so both faces can dry evenly.
- Never put a wooden or bamboo board in the dishwasher or leave it soaking in the sink.
2. Weekly check
Once a week, run your fingers across the surface. If it feels rough, looks lighter in patches, or water stops beading on the surface and soaks in within 5 seconds, it is time for mineral oil or board butter.
3. Using mineral oil
- Start with a clean, dry board. It should have been air dried for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.
- Pour a thin line of food grade mineral oil, about 10 to 15 ml for a 38x28cm board and 15 to 20 ml for a 45x35cm board.
- Spread with a lint free cloth in circles, covering both faces and all four edges.
- Leave to soak for 20 to 30 minutes, then wipe off any excess.
- Stand the board on its edge and leave to cure for at least 6 hours before use.
For a new board, repeat this process 3 times over the first week. This early routine can add 2 to 3 years to the working life of a board that is used daily.
4. Using board butter
- Warm the board butter slightly by rubbing a clean cloth in the tin for 5 to 10 seconds.
- Apply a thin, even coat to the surface of the board, including the edges. For a 45x35cm board you will usually need around 5 to 7 grams of product.
- Leave for 30 to 45 minutes so the oil can sink in and the wax can settle.
- Buff firmly with a dry cloth until the surface feels smooth and no residue comes off on your fingers.
- Allow 4 hours before chopping, or overnight if you can.
How Deer & Oak boards respond to mineral oil and board butter
All Deer & Oak chopping boards are supplied pre oiled so you can use them straight away. We still recommend a simple care routine to keep them going for 5 to 10 years of regular use.
Specifications table: Deer & Oak chopping boards
| Product | SKU | Size (cm) | Weight | Material | Typical care choice | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.8kg | Moso Bamboo | Mineral oil every 2 weeks + board butter monthly | £34.99 |
| Medium Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.2kg | Moso Bamboo | Mineral oil every 3 weeks | £24.99 |
| Carbonised Bamboo Board | DNO-CBB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.9kg | Carbonised Bamboo | Board butter every 3 to 4 weeks to deepen colour | £39.99 |
| Large Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-LG | 45 x 35 | 2.1kg | Acacia Wood | Mineral oil monthly + board butter for serving | £44.99 |
| Medium Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.5kg | Acacia Wood | Board butter every 4 weeks | £34.99 |
| Bamboo Double Pack | DNO-BCB-2PK | 45 x 35 + 38 x 28 | 3.0kg | Moso Bamboo | Mineral oil every 2 weeks on large, 3 weeks on medium | £49.99 |
Who this is for and who it is not for
Ideal for
- Home cooks who use their chopping board at least 3 to 5 times a week and want it to last 5 to 10 years.
- People who enjoy the look and feel of natural bamboo or hardwood and are happy to spend 10 to 15 minutes a month on care.
- Hosts who use boards like the Deer & Oak carbonised bamboo board for serving cheese or charcuterie and want a richer finish from board butter.
Not recommended for
- People who always use the dishwasher and are unlikely to hand wash or oil their boards.
- Commercial kitchens that need boards to withstand constant sanitising at very high temperatures.
- Anyone wanting a completely maintenance free surface who may be better with a dishwasher safe plastic board for raw meat prep.
FAQ: mineral oil vs board butter for chopping boards
Q: How often should I oil or butter my chopping board?
A: For a board used daily, plan mineral oil every 2 to 3 weeks and board butter every 3 to 4 weeks. If you cook less often, once every 6 to 8 weeks is usually enough. The real guide is how the board looks and feels: if it looks dry, absorbs water quickly, or feels rough, it is time to treat it.
Q: Can I just use mineral oil and skip board butter?
A: Yes, you can rely on mineral oil alone as long as you apply it regularly. Board butter is not essential, but it does give better water resistance and a nicer finish, especially on serving boards. Many Deer & Oak customers use mineral oil for routine care and board butter only before guests arrive.
Q: Is board butter safe for food contact?
A: A good quality board butter made from food grade mineral oil and food safe waxes such as beeswax is safe for food contact once buffed and cured. Always avoid products with added fragrances, drying oils or solvents that are not labelled as suitable for chopping boards or butcher's blocks.
Q: Will mineral oil or board butter darken my board?
A: Both will deepen the colour slightly by enriching the grain, especially on carbonised bamboo and acacia. On a new 45x35cm Deer & Oak board the change is usually one to two shades darker after the first full treatment. The colour then stays quite stable as long as you keep up regular care.
Which should you pick: mineral oil or board butter?
If you are choosing just one product for a busy family kitchen, food grade mineral oil is the most practical starting point. It is simple, sinks in quickly and works on every Deer & Oak board, from the 38x28cm Medium Bamboo to the 2.1kg Large Acacia. For most people, a combination works best: mineral oil for deep hydration every few weeks, then board butter once a month for a smoother feel and slower moisture loss.
If you want a ready to go board that already has the first coats applied, our pre oiled sets are an easy way to start. The Bamboo Double Pack gives you a 45x35cm and a 38x28cm board at 3.0kg total, ideal for separating meat and vegetables. For a darker look, our carbonised bamboo and acacia boards respond beautifully to a thin coat of board butter every few weeks.
You can explore the full Deer & Oak range of single boards and sets, all supplied pre treated and ready for mineral oil or board butter, on our bestsellers page. Choose your board size, decide how much maintenance you are happy with, then match it with mineral oil for depth and board butter for that final protective finish.