The Finishing Process
Kitchen Products: My final step on all kitchen products is a multi-day process of sanding, raising the grain, and applying a food-safe finish. I start with tung oil and citrus, which creates a durable, all-natural and food-safe coating. (Although Tung oil is pressed from the seed of the Tung tree, it is not known to be associated with common nut allergies.) Unlike most other natural oils, it becomes a hard film and will not go rancid over time. The product I prefer to use is Half and Half by RMP Co. After letting this first coat dry for multiple weeks, I sand the hardened finish with a fine grit and add a coat of beeswax and mineral oil for an extra layer of protection and a lovely smooth sheen. I source most of my beeswax from Uncommon Bees, and occasionally suppliment my supply with wax from local hives in New York. I have found this regimen to be the most durable and long-lasting option for finishing kitchenware, but I am happy to work with customers who want an alternative finish.
Furniture and Crafts: I use a range of different finishes for my furniture, crafts and custom work. Sometimes a project looks great with a natural oiled or waxed finish, while other times polyurethane, spar varnish, paint, or a thick layer of epoxy is more appropriate. The finish I use depends on the style of the piece, the way it will be used, or your own personal preferences (if it's a custom request). I am happy to discuss these options (and more) on an individual basis.
Furniture and Crafts: I use a range of different finishes for my furniture, crafts and custom work. Sometimes a project looks great with a natural oiled or waxed finish, while other times polyurethane, spar varnish, paint, or a thick layer of epoxy is more appropriate. The finish I use depends on the style of the piece, the way it will be used, or your own personal preferences (if it's a custom request). I am happy to discuss these options (and more) on an individual basis.
Caring for Wooden Kitchen Products
NEVER put these items in the dishwasher!
For best results, hand wash gently with mild soap and lukewarm water, then towel dry.
Wooden tools should be reconditioned occasionally in order to maintain their durability. The best way to determine if you need to recondition the wood is to run water over the surface - if the water beads and disperses, the finish is still doing its job. If the water begins to soak in, it's time to apply some wood conditioner. With heavy use, you will find the wood needs reconditioning in a few months. With light use, it might take years. But it never hurts to apply oil or wax as a preventative measure on a weekly basis, whether or not the finish shows signs of wear. Below are different products that you can use to recondition your kitchenware.
RECOMMMENDED WOOD CONDITIONER
Wax-Based Cutting Board Oil or Paste (order my own concoction here)
A food-safe mixture of wax and oil is easy to apply and relatively long-lasting. There are many different brands, but the most important part is the wax content, which will last longer than non-drying oils. The thicker the concoction, the more wax it contains, and the more durable it will be. Apply it when the wood is clean and dry, wipe it off, and it's ready to go! The simplicity of this application makes it easy to apply on a weekly or monthly basis, whether or not the wood is showing wear.
MOST DURABLE WOOD CONDITIONERS
Natural Drying Oils (order my preferred brand here)
Drying oils, such as tung or linseed oil, are all-natural and food-safe oils that harden, creating a more durable finish than other natural oils or even wax. I finish all of my products with tung oil, and I highly recommend re-applying a drying oil after years of heavy use, if the wood appears extremely dry, or if you decide to sand out deep scratches and gouges. However, these finishes are flammable when wet, and they have a distinct odor, so I only suggest them to people who are comfortable with small DIY projects. They also usually require multiple days of drying, so it's best to be prepared and read the instructions on the bottle. Most importantly, you MUST do your research on the product you choose: many companies blend these oils with solvents, most of which are not food safe.
CHEAPEST & EASIEST WOOD CONDITIONER
Food-Safe Mineral Oil (purchase at your local pharmacy or hardware store)
Food-safe mineral oil is the cheapest and easiest option for reconditioning oiled wood, but it is also the least durable, and will require more frequent applications. You can find it at your local pharmacy or kitchen supply store, and application is as simple as wiping it on and buffing it off. Don't bother paying high prices for mineral oil branded as Cutting Board Oil; any food-safe mineral oil will do.
WOOD CONDITIONER IN A PINCH
Household Kitchen Oils (from your kitchen cabinet)
For items used regularly, you can get away with reconditioning simply by applying any plant-based cooking oil found in your kitchen. Olive oil and walnut oil are both commonly used to condition wooden kitchen implements. Be aware, though, that most of these oils will eventually go rancid. Because of this, I do not suggest cooking oil for items that might sit untouched and unwashed for long periods of time.
Questions?
Feel free to contact me with specific questions about the finishing process and care of wood!
For best results, hand wash gently with mild soap and lukewarm water, then towel dry.
Wooden tools should be reconditioned occasionally in order to maintain their durability. The best way to determine if you need to recondition the wood is to run water over the surface - if the water beads and disperses, the finish is still doing its job. If the water begins to soak in, it's time to apply some wood conditioner. With heavy use, you will find the wood needs reconditioning in a few months. With light use, it might take years. But it never hurts to apply oil or wax as a preventative measure on a weekly basis, whether or not the finish shows signs of wear. Below are different products that you can use to recondition your kitchenware.
RECOMMMENDED WOOD CONDITIONER
Wax-Based Cutting Board Oil or Paste (order my own concoction here)
A food-safe mixture of wax and oil is easy to apply and relatively long-lasting. There are many different brands, but the most important part is the wax content, which will last longer than non-drying oils. The thicker the concoction, the more wax it contains, and the more durable it will be. Apply it when the wood is clean and dry, wipe it off, and it's ready to go! The simplicity of this application makes it easy to apply on a weekly or monthly basis, whether or not the wood is showing wear.
MOST DURABLE WOOD CONDITIONERS
Natural Drying Oils (order my preferred brand here)
Drying oils, such as tung or linseed oil, are all-natural and food-safe oils that harden, creating a more durable finish than other natural oils or even wax. I finish all of my products with tung oil, and I highly recommend re-applying a drying oil after years of heavy use, if the wood appears extremely dry, or if you decide to sand out deep scratches and gouges. However, these finishes are flammable when wet, and they have a distinct odor, so I only suggest them to people who are comfortable with small DIY projects. They also usually require multiple days of drying, so it's best to be prepared and read the instructions on the bottle. Most importantly, you MUST do your research on the product you choose: many companies blend these oils with solvents, most of which are not food safe.
CHEAPEST & EASIEST WOOD CONDITIONER
Food-Safe Mineral Oil (purchase at your local pharmacy or hardware store)
Food-safe mineral oil is the cheapest and easiest option for reconditioning oiled wood, but it is also the least durable, and will require more frequent applications. You can find it at your local pharmacy or kitchen supply store, and application is as simple as wiping it on and buffing it off. Don't bother paying high prices for mineral oil branded as Cutting Board Oil; any food-safe mineral oil will do.
WOOD CONDITIONER IN A PINCH
Household Kitchen Oils (from your kitchen cabinet)
For items used regularly, you can get away with reconditioning simply by applying any plant-based cooking oil found in your kitchen. Olive oil and walnut oil are both commonly used to condition wooden kitchen implements. Be aware, though, that most of these oils will eventually go rancid. Because of this, I do not suggest cooking oil for items that might sit untouched and unwashed for long periods of time.
Questions?
Feel free to contact me with specific questions about the finishing process and care of wood!
