News — kitchen board maintenance

If you want a wooden chopping board to last 5 to 10 years instead of just 12 to 18 months, you need to oil it regularly. Oiling a wooden chopping board creates a water resistant barrier, helps kill bacteria up to 3 times faster than on dry, cracked wood, and keeps the board from splitting, warping or staining deeply. Why do you need to oil a wooden chopping board? Wood is naturally porous. Every time you rinse your board, water and food juices are drawn into those tiny pores. If the board is dry and unprotected, the fibres swell and...

If your wooden chopping board looks pale, rough and thirsty, you can usually restore it in under 24 hours by sanding it lightly and applying 2 to 3 generous coats of food safe mineral oil, letting each coat soak in for at least 20 minutes. Done properly, this simple routine can add 5 to 10 years to the life of a quality kitchen board. Why wooden chopping boards dry out in the first place Every wooden chopping board or cutting board in your kitchen is made from a natural material that loses moisture over time. Hot water, washing up liquid,...

If you’re in the UK and wondering how to oil a wooden chopping board, the simplest method is to apply a thin coat of food safe mineral oil every 4 to 6 weeks, leave it to soak for at least 20 minutes, then wipe off the excess and let the board dry upright for 12 to 24 hours. Done regularly, this routine can help a quality board last 5 to 10 years or more. Why oiling your wooden chopping board matters Wood is naturally porous. Without oil, your chopping board can dry out, crack and absorb food juices. With the...

If your wooden chopping board is warping after washing, the simple reason is uneven moisture: one side is getting wetter or drying faster than the other, which causes the board to bow. The quickest way to fix mild warping is to rehydrate the dry side with food safe oil, place the concave side down on a flat surface, and add around 2 to 3 kg of even weight for 24 to 48 hours while it dries slowly. Why your wooden chopping board warps after washing Wood is a natural material that expands when it absorbs water and contracts as it...