board butter

[Alex Eisenhut]

I used to put mineral oil on my cutting board, a messy process, and doesn't IMHO give great results.

As I wandered around the hardware store, I found something called board butter, a mix of mineral oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax.

Wow this stuff gives my cutting board an amazing finish.

I think if you have a relatively shitty board like I do, the mineral oil gets sucked deep into the wood and doesn't really seal the surface. This butter stuff stays where it's supposed to.

There's a mild pleasant smell to it, but that smell disappears from the board after 5 minutes.

Definitely recommend, as it's also easier to apply.

[Halcyon]

Thanks for the recommendation. I currently just use the mineral oil from Ikea. It does the job, but you're right it doesn't last and soaks into the wood fairly quickly.

I might check out this Board Butter, but at AUD$22 for what looks to be a fairly small tin (it doesn't actually say on the label how many grams), I'll look into alternatives.

I'd imagine you don't need much of it? Perhaps one round of mineral oil, to soak deep into the board followed by a thin coat of board butter might be the go?

[Alex Eisenhut]

The jar is 200 grams for about 22 Canada Bucks. I just used my fingers to scoop out and rub on the board. Maybe two tablespoons?

[jpanhalt]

What's the problem you are trying to fix?   Your question is a little like what paint is best for my wrecking ball.  I want a cutting board that stays flat and is easily wiped or rinsed off.  If it's just appearance, that's a matter of opinion.  I like mine to look well used.

[themadhippy]

no need to butter a marble board,also doubles up for rolling stuff

[Halcyon]

What's the problem you are trying to fix?   Your question is a little like what paint is best for my wrecking ball.  I want a cutting board that stays flat and is easily wiped or rinsed off.  If it's just appearance, that's a matter of opinion.  I like mine to look well used.

Keeping a chopping board oiled prevents the wood from drying out, cracking and warping. Same reason people need to oil their wooden decking. It also creates a protective layer so that food "juices" don't penetrate into the wood, causing staining or promoting bacterial growth. It makes cleaning far quicker too.

no need to butter a marble board,also doubles up for rolling stuff

Very true and they do look nice. Quick way to blunt knives though. I just use my stone bench top for rolling dough.

[PlainName]

Used to use mineral oil, but it's messy and doesn't last. Based of Alex's recommendation I got some board butter (random choice) and it seems to be great so far. Board looks nice, almost new yet still having scars of experience on show. Feels nice, not oily.

Got another board that is still shiny in places and deeply scarred and dull in others, and it is immune to any tender administrations. Mineral oil fixes it for maybe a day, and then it's as if nothing was done. I'll have a go with the board butter and if that works I'll be stunned.

[Alex Eisenhut]

I wanted to use my belt sander to attempt to resurface my board. It didn't work, the board's crud really jams up the sandpaper.

So I left it like that, until I watched this video.

https://youtu.be/GZP21PK18hY?t=424

another "duh" moment, I have a cleaver... so yeah, that works, I can remove crud and attenuate stains. (Blueberries,etc)

Now I'm guessing with the board butter it will be a lot harder to have random liquids seep in.