If you want your chopping board to last 5 to 10 years, the best routine is to oil both wood and bamboo boards every 3 to 4 weeks with food safe mineral oil, using about 5 to 10 ml per side on a 45x35cm board. Bamboo, especially dense moso bamboo, usually needs slightly less oil than traditional wood because it absorbs more slowly, but the schedule should be the same.
Wood vs bamboo: how often should you oil a chopping board?
For everyday home cooking, the practical answer is simple: oil both wood and bamboo chopping boards every 3 to 4 weeks, or whenever the surface looks dry or feels slightly rough. If you cook daily and wash your board several times a day, you may need to oil every 2 weeks. If you only cook a few times a week, every 6 weeks can be enough.
Bamboo, including eco friendly moso bamboo, is technically a grass and is denser and slightly less porous than many woods. That means:
- Oiling frequency is the same as wood, but
- Bamboo usually needs 10 to 20 percent less oil per treatment
For example, on a 45x35cm Deer & Oak Large Bamboo Board you will usually need 5 to 7 ml of oil per side, while a 45x35cm acacia wood board may happily take 7 to 10 ml per side.
What’s the difference between oiling wood and moso bamboo boards?
Both wood and bamboo cutting boards benefit from the same basic care, but they behave slightly differently when you oil them.
Moso bamboo chopping boards
- Structure: Bamboo fibres are tightly packed and often laminated with food safe glue. Moso bamboo in particular is dense and tough.
- Oil absorption: Slower and slightly more shallow than many woods. The board can feel smooth with less oil.
- Eco friendly angle: Moso bamboo grows up to 10 to 15 metres in around 5 years, so it is widely considered more sustainable than many hardwoods.
- Care risk: If you use too much oil at once, it can sit on the surface and feel sticky.
Wood chopping boards (for example acacia)
- Structure: Natural hardwood with varied grain. Acacia is dense but still more absorbent than most bamboo.
- Oil absorption: Faster and deeper, especially in the first 2 to 3 treatments.
- Look: Oiling really brings out the grain. A 45x35cm acacia board will usually darken by 10 to 20 percent in colour after the first oiling.
- Care risk: If you under oil, wood can dry, shrink and develop hairline cracks over time.
In real life, this means you will use the same schedule but slightly different amounts. A moso bamboo kitchen board will usually feel “saturated” after 2 coats in one evening, while a similar sized acacia board may happily take 3 coats the first time you oil it.
Step by step: how to oil bamboo vs wood chopping boards
You can use the same simple routine for both wood and bamboo chopping boards. The method below works for Deer & Oak moso bamboo and acacia boards and suits most other quality boards too.
1. Clean and dry the board properly
- Wash with mild washing up liquid and warm water.
- Rinse and dry with a clean tea towel.
- Stand the board upright and let it air dry for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.
Never soak your board in water and never put it in the dishwasher. Even a single dishwasher cycle can shorten the life of a bamboo or wood board by several years.
2. Choose the right oil
For both wood and bamboo cutting boards, use:
- Food safe mineral oil, or
- A specialist board oil or board balm that lists mineral oil and natural waxes such as beeswax or carnauba.
Avoid olive oil, sunflower oil or other cooking oils. They can turn sticky and may go rancid within 2 to 4 weeks.
3. How much oil to use
For a 45x35cm board (bamboo or wood):
- Start with 5 ml of oil per side for bamboo
- Start with 7 ml of oil per side for wood
That is roughly a teaspoon for bamboo and a heaped teaspoon for wood. If the surface drinks the oil within 5 minutes and looks dry again, add another 2 to 3 ml and spread it evenly.
4. Application method
- Pour the measured oil in a thin line across the board.
- Use a lint free cloth or paper towel to spread it in small circles, working with the grain.
- Coat both sides and all four edges to keep the board balanced and reduce warping.
- Leave the board flat for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Wipe away any excess with a clean cloth.
For a new or very dry board, repeat this process 2 to 3 times in one evening. A freshly oiled board should feel silky, not greasy.
5. Extra care for carbonised bamboo
Carbonised bamboo, such as the Deer & Oak Carbonised Bamboo Board, is heat treated to achieve a darker colour. It behaves like regular moso bamboo but can be slightly more absorbent at first. Plan for 2 to 3 light coats on the first day, then monthly top ups.
Product comparison: moso bamboo vs acacia wood boards
Below is a direct comparison of popular Deer & Oak chopping boards, including eco friendly moso bamboo, carbonised bamboo and acacia wood. This helps match your oiling routine and your kitchen habits to a specific board.
| Product | SKU | Size (cm) | Weight | Material | Typical oil per side | Oiling frequency | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.8 kg | Moso Bamboo | 5 to 7 ml | Every 3 to 4 weeks | £34.99 |
| Medium Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.2 kg | Moso Bamboo | 3 to 5 ml | Every 4 weeks | £24.99 |
| Carbonised Bamboo Board | DNO-CBB-LG | 45 x 35 | 1.9 kg | Carbonised Bamboo | 6 to 8 ml | Every 3 to 4 weeks | £39.99 |
| Large Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-LG | 45 x 35 | 2.1 kg | Acacia Wood | 7 to 10 ml | Every 3 weeks | £44.99 |
| Medium Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-MD | 38 x 28 | 1.5 kg | Acacia Wood | 4 to 6 ml | Every 3 to 4 weeks | £34.99 |
| Bamboo Double Pack | DNO-BCB-2PK | 45 x 35 + 38 x 28 | 3.0 kg | Moso Bamboo | 5 to 7 ml (large), 3 to 5 ml (medium) | Every 3 to 4 weeks | £49.99 |
Product problem pairs: match your board to your habits
Choosing between wood and bamboo is easier when you link each board to a specific kitchen problem you want to solve.
-
Problem: You want a large, eco friendly board that is light enough to move daily.
Solution: The Large Bamboo Board (DNO-BCB-LG, 45x35cm, 1.8kg) gives you a generous cutting surface with moso bamboo that is easy to lift and oil. A monthly oil with 5 to 7 ml per side keeps it looking fresh. -
Problem: You cook for two and need a compact board that still feels substantial.
Solution: The Medium Bamboo Board (DNO-BCB-MD, 38x28cm, 1.2kg) suits smaller kitchens and needs only 3 to 5 ml of oil per side every 4 weeks. -
Problem: You like a darker, statement board for serving and chopping.
Solution: The Carbonised Bamboo Board (DNO-CBB-LG, 45x35cm, 1.9kg) gives a rich, dark finish. Oiling every 3 to 4 weeks with 6 to 8 ml per side protects the carbonised surface and keeps the colour even. -
Problem: You want a heavier, more traditional wooden feel that stays steady while you chop.
Solution: The Large Acacia Board (DNO-ACB-LG, 45x35cm, 2.1kg) offers a solid base for meat and veg prep. Plan for 7 to 10 ml of oil per side every 3 weeks, especially if you wash it several times a day. -
Problem: You need a matching set for prep and serving without buying multiple brands.
Solution: The Bamboo Double Pack (DNO-BCB-2PK, 45x35cm + 38x28cm) covers family meal prep and smaller jobs. Together they need roughly 8 to 12 ml of oil per treatment, which takes under 10 minutes once a month.
Who this is for and who it is not for
Understanding whether a wood or bamboo chopping board suits you is as important as learning how to oil it.
Ideal for
- Home cooks who are happy to spend 10 minutes once a month oiling their boards.
- People who want eco friendly moso bamboo or responsibly sourced wood in their kitchen.
- Anyone who wants a board to last 5 to 10 years instead of replacing a plastic board every 12 to 18 months.
- Households that prefer a natural, knife friendly surface that will not blunt blades quickly.
Not recommended for
- People who put everything in the dishwasher and are unlikely to change that habit.
- Commercial kitchens that sanitise boards at very high temperatures several times a day.
- Anyone who prefers glass or marble for aesthetic reasons and is not concerned about knife wear.
- People who do not want any regular maintenance, even a quick oil once a month.
FAQ: wood vs bamboo chopping board oiling
Q: Does bamboo really need less oil than wood?
A: Yes, dense moso bamboo usually needs about 10 to 20 percent less oil per treatment than acacia or similar woods, because it is slightly less porous. The schedule is the same though, so aim to oil both bamboo and wood boards every 3 to 4 weeks. If the surface looks dry or feels rough sooner than that, give it a light top up.
Q: Can I use the same oil on both my bamboo and wood boards?
A: You can use exactly the same food safe mineral oil on both bamboo and wood chopping boards. Specialist board oils and balms are also suitable for both materials. Just avoid cooking oils such as olive or rapeseed, as they can become sticky and may develop an odour after a few weeks.
Q: How long should oil sit on a chopping board before wiping?
A: For both wood and bamboo, leave the oil on the surface for 20 to 30 minutes so it can soak in properly. After that, wipe off any excess with a clean cloth. If the board still feels oily after an hour, buff it again with a dry cloth and reduce the amount of oil slightly next time.
Q: How do I know when my board needs re oiling?
A: Splash a few drops of water onto the surface and watch how it behaves. If the water beads into small droplets, the oiling is still effective. If it spreads out and darkens the wood or bamboo within 5 to 10 seconds, it is time to re oil. Dry patches, a greyish tone or a slightly rough feel are also signs that your board needs fresh oil.
Recommended boards and where to buy
If you want an eco friendly bamboo chopping board that is easy to oil and light to handle, the Large Bamboo Board (DNO-BCB-LG, 45x35cm, 1.8kg, moso bamboo) is a strong everyday choice. For households that want a matching pair with one purchase, the Bamboo Double Pack (DNO-BCB-2PK, 45x35cm + 38x28cm, 3.0kg) covers most kitchen jobs and only adds a few minutes to your monthly oiling routine.
You can see the full range of Deer & Oak bamboo and wood kitchen boards on the official chopping board collection. If you prefer to shop on Amazon, you can find the Bamboo Double Pack in the UK and the Carbonised Bamboo Board in the UK as ready to use, pre oiled options.
Look after your board with a regular 3 to 4 week oiling routine and it will quietly look after your knives, your worktops and your cooking for many years.