Board Care Instructions

⭐  My boards are finished with clear food safe mineral oil.  The board should be oiled at least once a year (more if used frequently or in a very dry environment).  A dry board scars more easily or could develop small cracks or warp. 

⭐  Do not let fruits or vegetables with juice (oranges, lemons, limes, tomatoes, etc.) sit on the board.  While it is okay to cut these foods on the board, letting them sit on it can damage or stain your board.  The acidic nature of the juice can break down the oils in the wood and allow the juice to penetrate and stain the wood.

⭐  Always hand wash and dry your board.  Never wash your board in the dishwasher.  Never let water or other liquid sit on your board, or let your board sit in water.

⭐  Do not put your board in the refrigerator or place it near your stove top when hot.  Exposing your board to temperature extremes can cause it to warp or crack.

⭐  Do not use a meat cleaver or other striking instrument on your board.  A fine straight blade is best, as serrated knifes can cause deeper scars on your board.

Here is how to properly oil your board and restore its smooth finish:

1)  Give the board a good scrubbing to remove surface oil and let it dry.  The water may raise the grain a little, so the board may feel a little rough on the surface.

2)  Give the board a light sanding with a fine grain sandpaper (220 grit or higher) until it’s smooth again.  The sandpaper will pick up dust and oil as you sand, and it will clog the sandpaper, so you may need more than one piece of sandpaper.  Wipe off the dust.  

3) Apply a fresh coat of food safe mineral oil.  Let the oil sit for a few minutes, occasionally wiping oil to drier areas.  And end grain board will absorb a lot of oil; edge grain boards absorb less.  Let the board sit for 30-60 minutes and then wipe off all excess oil with a paper towel or soft clean cloth.  

4)  Set the board aside for about 24 hours to allow the wood to fully absorb the oil into the grain.  Mineral oil does not dry, so place it on a piece of scrap wood or other hard object.  Do not place a freshly oiled board on cloth, paper towel, newspaper, or other absorbent material as it will draw the oil back out of the board.  Give it one more good wipe down and it's ready for service!

With proper care your board can become a beautiful family heirloom that will bring back memories of family, fun times and good food.

 Do you have a custom design in mind?

Contact me to discuss a commissioned piece.

Rappoportarts@gmail.com