Replies

1. 
   Clay_Baker | Apr 17, 2000 07:49am | #1

   *
   Jeff, The most common finish used for wood cutting boards is good ol' mineral oil. It's FDA approved as a food adative, it imparts no flavor on your foods and it's real cheap. Mineral oil is often sold through woodworking catalogs as a wood finish but it's really expensive to buy this way. Just go to the drug store and get the generic brand. It's usually right next to the exlax. The best way to apply it is to drench the whole cutting board in the oil, allow it to soak in as much as the wood will allow, and then wipe it down. Mineral oil is typically a pretty heavy bodied material. If you want it to flow better just heat it up. Don't add thinner of any kind as this will put a hazardous substance in your cutting board. Mineral oil won't last forever, so when you notice the wood getting thirsty, reapply the finish.

1. 
   Stephen_Shepherd | Apr 25, 2000 05:31pm | #2

   *I would recommend flaxseed oil, an edible version of linseed oil available at most health food stores. You will need to renew it periodically but it is a drying oil unlike mineral oil which never dries.Stephen Shepherd

1. 
   Deb_Aitkin | May 03, 2000 04:59pm | #3

   *I would like recommendations on the best finish for a cherry/maple cutting board. Would flaxseed or mineral oil work as well on the cherry portion as on the maple? Also, is there a recommended way to clean a cutting board that has a gum-like buildup on on it?Thanks.

1. 
   Stephen_Shepherd | May 05, 2000 03:09pm | #4

   *Deb,The flaxseed oil will be just fine on the cherry, I would suggest you use a cabinet scraper to remove the 'gummy' film from your boards, once it is smooth apply the flaxseed oil.Stephen