Replies

1. 
   bones | Jan 05, 2008 05:23pm | #1

   While I have never finished a butcher block, I use to make toys to sell at craft shows.  I was concerned about finishing one of my toys being put into a childs mouth and causing a problem.  Someone reccomended Behlens (pardon the sp) salad bowl finish.  I used it and followed directions. It applies a good satin finish and is durable.  I've seen some of my stuff from years back with only the original finish look decent.  I think the second choice would be mineral oil.  Don't use vegetable oil, it will turn rancid!  Good luck and that's my two cents worth.

    

   http://www.woodfinishsupply.com/SaladBowl.html

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
1. 
   user-83153 | Jan 06, 2008 01:28am | #5

   Bones,

   Salad bowl finishes are nothing but wipe on varnishes repackaged with the intent of fooling consumers by playing on the myth that some finishes are "food safe" while others are not. You could make your own cheaper.

                         Rob

1. 
   bones | Jan 06, 2008 03:41am | #6

   Probably could, but thats not something I like fooling with.  They (Behnlen) are complaint with the FDA specs and and why spend my time mixing and matching for small quantities and such.  I bought one small can and it lasted forever.  If you factor in my time which is worth something (I have to remind my wife of that), then it does not make sense for me to make it, nor take the chance of not doing it right.  Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

1. 
   user-83153 | Jan 06, 2008 09:56pm | #7

   Bones,

   Hey, its your choice. I just wonder how much time it takes to pour half a pint of varnish and half a pint of mineral spirits into a one pint jar, or how you could screw it up. Other than spilling it, I mean. :^)

   I also feel compelled to point these things out because the finish manufacturers engage in so much... lets just call it "creative marketing". cough...lying!...cough...cough.

                         Rob

2. 
   mapleman | Jan 05, 2008 06:25pm | #2

   Jasen,

   Maple is a good choice for cutting boards. As for bowls/dishes - cherry or another fruitwood with fine grain works well.

   Shellac is a good safe finish - pills are coated with it.

   Lee

3. 
   PheasantHunter | Jan 05, 2008 10:47pm | #3

   Maple is probably the most common wood use for kitchen items.  However, if you look back a few issues FWW had a very good article on making cutting boards.  I have used walnut and maple for most of the cutting boards I make.  Mineral oil is the most common finish for kitchen items.  Personnelly I like walnut oil that I get from Craft Supplies out of Utah.  Rockler also has several food safe finishes.  There is lots of info. on the web and this forum on this topic.

   Good luck with all your projects.

    

4. 
   saschafer | Jan 06, 2008 12:01am | #4

   Hard maple and beech are good. Walnut looks great, but it's a bit softer than the others so expect a little more wear and tear.

   There really isn't a bulletproof finish that doesn't also form a surface film. Mineral oil does a good job of resisting waterborne food stains, but doesn't help with oil-soluble dyes, like chile pepper. It's also a non-drying oil, so it has to be replenished fairly frequently. A drying oil (I use pure tung oil) is a little better, but for something like a cutting board that gets hard use, I still have to sand and refinish every other year or so.

   -Steve

    

5. 
   Scott_y | Jan 07, 2008 08:48am | #8

   When you make a cutting board out of wood, the end grain is up on the cutting surface. This allows the blade of the knife to sink into the wood without slicing through the wood fibers. No finish will "seal" the wood against this type of use. You really don't need a finish on a cutting board.

   Scotty

1. 
   FrankDrackman | Jan 07, 2008 07:37pm | #9

   Certain types of cutting boards, with butchers block probably being the most popular, are made with end grain up but I think that the majority of wooden cutting boards are face grain.