News — Deer & Oak

If you want a direct answer: the best wooden cutting board oil in the UK for everyday home use is a food grade mineral oil with added vitamin E, applied once a month in a 15 to 20 minute routine. For heavy use on boards like a 45x35cm acacia block, a thicker board cream made from mineral oil and beeswax every 2 to 3 weeks gives better water resistance and helps your board last 5 to 10 years. What type of oil is best for wooden cutting boards in the UK? For wooden and bamboo boards in the UK, the...

If your wooden cutting board has started to bow by 2 to 5 mm or rock on the worktop, it’s almost always because one side has absorbed more water or heat than the other. In simple terms, uneven moisture and temperature cause the fibres in the wood to swell or shrink at different rates, which leads directly to warping. What actually makes a wooden cutting board warp? Wood is a natural material that moves. When one face of your board gets wetter, hotter or drier than the other, it changes size slightly. If the top swells by just 0.5 to...

If you are wondering why chopping boards cause food poisoning, the short answer is this: a single contaminated board can carry millions of bacteria per square centimetre, and if you do not separate raw meat from ready to eat foods or clean the board properly, those bacteria move straight onto your dinner. The safest option is to use at least two boards, clean them within 2 minutes of use, and choose materials that resist deep cuts and are easy to wash, such as pre oiled bamboo or acacia wood. Why do chopping boards cause food poisoning in the first place?...

If you want your chopping board to last 5 to 10 years, the simple rule is: do not put wooden or bamboo chopping boards in the dishwasher, but most solid plastic cutting boards are usually fine on a standard 60°C cycle. The high heat, steam and aggressive detergents in dishwashers can warp, crack and dry out natural materials in as little as a few months. Can you put different types of chopping board in the dishwasher? Not all kitchen boards behave the same in a dishwasher. The right cleaning method depends on the material and thickness of the board. Wooden...