Cutting board oil: processing secrets. How to care for a wooden cutting board How to treat a new cutting board

Kitchen boards are such irreplaceable utensils in the kitchen. Are we paying enough attention to such an important issue as caring for the cutting board?

Why take care of her? "Shake off the crumbs, that's all." In the best case - slightly rinsed under the tap or from a mug. We probably have seen this more than once at someone's house (here we can sometimes wrinkle our noses and think: "that's dirty", or: "I'm not here anymore"). And sometimes we ourselves can rush, which is a sin to hide. Either we don’t wash the board thoroughly (I’ll wash it later), then we mix it up - we don’t use it for its intended purpose, or even the board in the kitchen is only one for any preparations.

Of course, it would be right if there were several cutting boards. It is necessary to have different kitchen boards: for dough, for raw and boiled fish, meat and vegetables, for sausages and cheeses, for bread, for onions and garlic, for herbs. But this is a completely different conversation. Here everyone decides for himself - what, why and how much they need.

But how to take care of them? It turns out that ignoring this issue is sometimes fraught with unpleasant consequences, especially during the hot season and on holidays. You have to take care of yourself and your family. It would seem - a trifle, but we use these utensils every day and this is important for our mood and health.

In the kitchen, dirty and, especially, wet, boards, like, a lot of all kinds of evil spirits settle, which multiply and multiply.

Wooden boards are considered to be more hygienic than all the others, but they need to be especially carefully cared for, starting from the moment of purchase. Experts advise immediately treating them with hot (70-100 degrees) edible mineral or vaseline oil (pharmaceutical), after lightly cleaning with fine sandpaper if the surface is not completely smooth.

Any fats, butter or vegetable oils, with the exception of flaxseed, are not advised to be used for these purposes, so that later, when rancid, they do not spoil the taste and smell of the prepared products. And there can be no talk of technical oils.

Moisten a cotton swab with hot oil and lubricate both surfaces and the end of the boards, soaking them properly. And this "training" must be repeated several times every couple of hours.

In the future, it is advisable to periodically repeat this procedure, cleaning, if necessary, the surface with fine sandpaper and again lubricating with hot mineral oil. But the need for this action depends on the load on this subject. It is one thing when a person lives alone and cooks little, and another is a large family and cooks a lot. Well, restaurants have their own ways and terms of processing.

I, in truth, use the old village way - I scrape with a knife, wash thoroughly, and dry even more thoroughly. And then I rub again with my favorite oil - linseed. True, very rarely, and not as carefully as the first time after the purchase.

In order for your wooden kitchen boards to serve you faithfully for many years, look beautiful and be protected from bacteria getting inside, be prepared to spend at least half a day on their initial processing. But on the other hand, you will be very pleased with the result of your work.

Personally, I rub the oil with clean hands. It’s more pleasant for me to feel the tree and massage the palms. Wake up tight and mind my own business. It took the first time, in total, more than a day, but on the other hand, I didn’t stand over them, as if tied, but carried out this operation together with the next dishwashing, or at the monitor screen, looking through the programs I was interested in.

Wooden boards, unlike others, are good because they themselves are quite good at “fighting” harmful bacteria. But nevertheless, after processing raw meat and fish, they should be cleaned especially carefully.

After use, bamboo, stone, glass, plastic or plywood cutting boards should be washed with hot water and soap, after removing food residues from them, wiped and dried thoroughly. And it doesn’t hurt to scald a wooden board with boiling water after washing.

Do not keep the boards wet or wash them in the dishwasher. Dry and store the boards in an upright position and not close to each other. Under them, too, should always be dry. And then you look sometimes - a beautiful thing, you lift it up, and below - a layer of mold.

It is very good to clean all kitchen boards periodically with a solution of vinegar or lemon juice, especially after cutting raw or smelly foods. I prefer to remove the fishy smell with either 9% vinegar or a lemon cut in half.

You can also remove unpleasant odors with salt. True, opinions differ here - dry or wet. I immediately rub when I wash. I’m too lazy to return to this again, and it’s not entirely clear - salt draws the remaining moisture from the board or, conversely, attracts it from the air. If you wish, you can discuss this issue, maybe I'll learn the mind-reason.

For a long time I did not dare to throw away my very beautiful ceramic board - a gift. But I plucked up the courage and threw it away one day. I don't like useless things.

The sound of a knife on ceramics annoyed the whole family, for the same reason I don’t like glass either. And I had to handle it very carefully so as not to break or chip it. It is rather for those who are never in a hurry. More for beauty than use.

In such simple ways, you can turn your irreplaceable kitchen cutting boards into assistants devoted to you for many years, while looking quite textured. And you will never have to casually throw them into the closet, hiding from someone's evaluating glances. On the contrary, let them stand in sight and please the eye.

Video. End cutting board. Finished with mineral oil and beeswax.

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To the entry "Cutting board care - is it so important" 35 comments

    Hello, Irina Olegovna. You asked what to do with the site awards. My opinion is that the site will not benefit from this. After all, the reward is given disinterestedly. And in this case, the reward is accompanied by a requirement to put a backlink. This is no longer a reward, but blackmail. You will put links, so they will still "reward". I did not participate in this game, I did not like this idea right away. If someone is offended, well, you won’t be nice to everyone. In general, the fewer outbound links, the better. How you proceed is up to you. If someone's site really likes, then why not put a link.
    An elementary thing is a cutting board, and caring for it is a whole science.

  1. Yes, wooden ones are better, of course, but not in terms of caring for them! It is easier, better and faster to process ceramic, whatever you say. And healthier!

  2. I am in complete solidarity with you. I have several boards: for bread, for vegetables, for sausage and cheese, for raw meat and for fish. I always pour boiling water over them and treat them with vinegar. Thanks for the interesting article!

    I have never heard of processing wooden boards with linseed oil, probably because I always used plastic ones.
    There are actually 4 of them for different products.
    Thank you for the article.

    Irina, good day! You have a wonderful site! You and I have a lot in common: I am a student of the StarAp school, I lived in the Far East in the city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur for 12 years, my grandparents lived in Siberia in the city of Barabinsk, in Ukraine I lived in the city of Krivoy Rog 12 years. And we met on the Internet while discussing the article.

    How to care for cutting boards: I have two boards - one strictly for bakery products, the second for everything. After washing the board FOR EVERYTHING with hot water, I wipe it with a weak vinegar solution + rub the carrots on a grater a little and rub the surface of the board with the carrot mass, wash it off. Carrots are good at eliminating any odor.

    At one time, when I bought butter, I cut it into pieces and laid carrots cut in length with plastics: it destroys the smell of old butter. The only thing was to change the slices of butter every 4-5 days. But the oil always had the freshest smell.

    Many people asked me why put in carrot plastics, take less oil, you can always buy fresh. But at one time I lived in such conditions that you often don’t run into shopping, so I had to use my grandmother’s advice. It was a pleasure to meet you. Good luck to you and all the most bright and joyful.

  3. I have 3 wooden boards. I scald them with boiling water and wipe them with lemon, but about oil, this is the biggest news for me. And it turns out that it is necessary to do a whole ritual with a wooden board (you can’t call it otherwise - it takes so much time to babysit it!). But since they don’t look the best for me, it’s probably necessary to allocate a special day for such a procedure. Let me paint them too!

    Hello Irina!
    Probably many do not think, or did not even think about the fact that a cutting board requires no less care than anything else.
    Here they wrote that glass, ceramic and plastic boards are very comfortable. I want to upset those who wrote about this a little. Alas, it is not at all what you think.
    I have only (so far) two boards, which I wash every time (after cutting any ingredient). For non-frozen products, as well as meat on the bone, I most often use a ceramic knife. In all other cases, only metal.
    Now imagine using a glass or ceramic board and using a ceramic knife. Which will last longer. Minus face.
    In addition, natural (natural) material is still much better. And believe me, caring for him is not so laborious.

Every kitchen has wooden cutting boards. They are necessary both for preparing hot dishes and for slicing fruit snacks. Ideally, there should be at least 5-6 boards, with mandatory allocation for cutting raw meat and fish, bakery products, fruits and vegetables. The durability of the board is determined not so much by the value of the manufacturer's brand, but by the correct care of this indispensable kitchen item.

Care Secrets

First meeting. So, you have finally purchased your favorite model or a whole set of Gipfel cutting boards. However, do not rush to immediately rush in search of a knife to try out this new piece of kitchen accessories that still smells like wood. First of all, carefully inspect the surface of the board. If you notice the slightest clues and roughness - process with fine sandpaper and carefully shake off dust particles.

Mineral treatments. A new wooden cutting board must be treated with mineral oil. This procedure will not only increase the service life, but also create protection against microorganisms and bacteria, as well as provide an impeccable appearance of the product.

For processing, natural mineral oil, its mixture with heated beeswax (proportion 4: 1), natural linseed or vaseline oil can be used. The use of food (olive, vegetable, butter), and even more so technical oils is strictly prohibited!

The process of processing a cutting wooden board is divided into several stages:

  • it is necessary to heat the oven to a temperature of 70 ° C;
  • put the board on the grate and dry it in the oven for about 5-7 minutes;
  • then, using a soft cloth or brush, grease the entire surface of the board with natural oil;
  • wait until the oil layer is completely absorbed (5-6 hours) and repeat the treatment procedure several more times.

Mineral procedures should be carried out not only when buying a new wooden cutting board, but also several times a season. Processing is also recommended when the color of the product changes, the appearance of microcracks and dry wood.

Putting things in order. After use, wooden cutting boards should be lathered with dishwashing detergent and rinsed well under running water. For refreshment and disinfection, the board can be scalded with boiling water. After washing, the product should be dried in a vertical state in an open space.

Dealing with odor. After cutting fish, garlic and other pungent-smelling products on the board, it is necessary to use special tools, among which are:

  • Lemon. Half of this fruit should be carefully rub the surface of the board. Leave for 3-5 minutes, then wash with detergent solutions and rinse under running water.
  • Bite. It is one of the most powerful disinfectants. Effectively fights any odors and germs.
  • 3% hydrogen peroxide. After treatment with vinegar, the board can be wiped with a cloth soaked in a solution of peroxide, which will kill the bacteria of Escherichia coli, salmonella and staphylococcus aureus.
  • Salt/Soda. Sprinkle coarse salt or soda on the board used for cutting fish. Rinse well with water after 5-7 minutes.

Remember that bacteria only live for a few hours and only in humid environments. Therefore, it is not allowed to wash wooden cutting boards in dishwashers, soak in aqueous solutions and store still damp products in closed cabinets.

With proper care, Gipfel wooden boards will help you in the cooking process for decades.

Instructions: Treat a wooden cutting board with mineral oil.

Wooden cutting board is designed for chopping a variety of food products: meat, fish, vegetables and more. Usually porous natural wood is used for the production of cutting boards. The most popular species are sugar maple, cherry, ash and black walnut. Unfortunately, these types of trees are very good at absorbing odors and bacteria that are on the surface of the products. If the processing of a wooden cutting board is done with the right substances, such as oil, then the board will be perfectly protected from a variety of microbes and mold. Here is one of the cutting board care instructions:

1. Rinse the cutting board under running water if it has been used before. Wipe the surface of the cutting board with a kitchen towel and let it dry completely.

2. Wet a kitchen towel with white vinegar. Wipe the entire surface of the wooden cutting board with this towel. Vinegar gently and safely disinfects cutting board surfaces. After thorough wiping, allow the cutting board to dry completely.

3. You can use mineral oil, but only what is called food grade. Do not use mineral oil, which is sold in pharmacies. Before processing the board with oil, you need to heat it up. Pour 1 cup of the product and put it in the microwave. Heat the mineral oil in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.

4. Dampen the corner of a kitchen towel with mineral oil and wipe the surfaces of the cutting board.

5. Give the cutting board time to dry. Repeat the procedure for cleaning the board with oil again.

6. Continue repeating the procedure for coating the cutting board with mineral oil. Allow the board to dry between treatments. When the cutting board no longer absorbs the mineral oil, remove what is left with a dry kitchen towel.

This article was produced by our experienced team of editors and researchers who reviewed it for accuracy and completeness.

Number of sources used in this article: . You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

Wooden cutting boards are known for their durability and therefore find wide use in the kitchen during slicing and cooking. To extend the life of such a cutting board, first of all, it must be prepared for use with oil impregnation. This will prevent damage to the board during use. In the future, the board must be cleaned regularly and re-oiled when the old impregnation wears out. In addition, during the operation of a wooden cutting board, some things should be avoided, for example, it is not recommended to cut meat on it, as this can lead to contamination of its surface with pathogenic bacteria.

Steps

Part 1

Preparing a wooden cutting board for use

    Purchase vaseline oil. To impregnate a wooden cutting board, it is best to take vaseline oil. It will prevent the wood from cracking over time. You can buy petroleum jelly online, at your local department store, or even at a pharmacy.

    Treat the board with oil. Before oiling a board, make sure it is completely clean. Wipe it off with a dry paper towel. Then apply a generous amount of oil to a paper towel. After that, gently wipe the surface of the board with a paper towel, spreading a thin layer of oil over it.

    Let the oil soak in. Put the board somewhere where it won't be disturbed, such as in a kitchen cabinet. Let the oil soak well into the surface of the wood, leaving the board alone overnight.

    • If you need to use the board on the same day, allow the oil to soak for at least a few hours.
  1. Remove excess oil. After soaking with oil, the board may appear greasy or sticky. If the board is sticky, take a paper towel and wipe off the excess oil.

    • After removing excess oil, the wooden cutting board will be ready for use.

Part 2

Proper care of your cutting board
  1. Clean your cutting board after every use. Wooden cutting boards should never be put aside to be cleaned a little later. During this time, food residues and pathogenic organisms can penetrate the wood itself. Be sure to clean your wood board immediately after use. Always wash your board by hand only. Wooden cutting boards cannot be washed in the dishwasher.

    Dry your cutting board properly. Do not leave your cutting board to dry on its side in a dish rack. Instead, just lay it on a flat surface. If you place your cutting board on its side to dry, it will begin to flex in one direction over time.

    Reapply oil regularly. Check the board with water drops every few weeks. If water remains on the surface, then the board does not need to be oiled. If water is absorbed, it is necessary to treat the board with another layer of petroleum jelly, and then leave it to stand overnight so that the oil is absorbed.

Part 3

Caring for your cutting board

    Do not wash your cutting board in the dishwasher. Wooden cutting boards are extremely sensitive to water. Under no circumstances should a wooden cutting board be placed in the dishwasher. It must be washed exclusively by hand.

A cutting board is an indispensable attribute in any kitchen. This is one of the simpler wood projects, easy to make and guaranteed to find a use in every home. Having made a board, many craftsmen are puzzled by the standard question, what kind of finishing composition to cover the product so that it retains its visual appeal, is protected from moisture and remains safe for health?

How to process a cutting board made of wood?

When choosing a finish, the vast majority of craftsmen prefer compositions made from natural ingredients, primarily oils. There are many options for impregnating a new board, but practice shows that the most effective solution in this matter is to use vaseline oil, which is not difficult to find in a pharmacy.

An alternative to vaseline oil can be vegetable analogues, in particular, walnut or linseed oil. But, despite the environmental friendliness and simplicity of such a finish, over time it can transmit an unpleasant rancid smell to food in contact with a wooden board. When covering the product with linseed, vaseline or any other oil, you will have to periodically renew the impregnation, which will wear out as the plank is used.

How to oil a cutting board?

Impregnation oil is applied to a well-sanded and dried surface. Evenly distributing an abundant amount of the finishing composition with a brush or swab, it is allowed to soak into the wood structure (15-20 minutes), after which the excess is wiped off by running the swab along the fibers.

A new wooden cutting board is treated with at least two to three layers. Each fresh layer of oil is applied after the previous one has completely dried. This is not very convenient because vegetable oils are quite low. Drying boards must be done in a well-ventilated area.

Are other finishing compounds hazardous to health?

This question still causes heated discussions, despite the fact that unequivocal and authoritative answers have long been given to it. Any finish can be used to finish wood products in contact with food, including oil, polyurethane and nitrocellulose varnishes, shellac coatings and linen drying oil. These materials are completely harmless to health, but only after complete drying. This is a very important point!

Before you start using a kitchen board that you decide to paint with one of these compounds, you need to make sure that the coating is completely cured. Remember that the presence of a surface film does not mean that the composition has completely dried inside the wood.

How to maintain the attractiveness of the finish?

By following these simple instructions, your cutting board will look great for years to come.

  1. After use, wash the product well with warm water, using as little detergent as possible. Wipe off residual moisture without much diligence and do not allow the board to stay in water for a long time.
  2. The finish of the kitchen plank needs periodic updating. The outer layer is “refreshed” as it wears, usually once every 4-5 months, depending on the intensity of use of the product. By controlling the condition of the protective layer, you will protect the board from cracking, swelling, and mold, while maintaining its visual appeal.
  3. When the working side of the board is severely damaged by knives, it is sanded and re-finished.

Turning a cutting board into a spectacular decor

Inspired by the ideas in our gallery, you can create a product that will turn from ordinary household utensils into an original decor for your kitchen. Such an expressive and functional piece of furniture will become a spectacular gift, to which no hostess will remain indifferent.