When you are about preparing your meals, one of the most important steps is to prepare your cutting board oil. The reason why you need to choose the right oil because it is more than just to slow the absorption of the water. But, it also works to determine the flavor of your foods that you cut on the cutting board. [Source]
We think we cannot recommend some of the cutting board oils. For instance, let us talk about the use of vegetable oils for your cutting board. Vegetable oils are so many such as corn oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil. These oils lead to rancidification, a process that will make your cutting board smells [Source]. Also, it will make the flavor of the foods you cut on the cutting board have an unpleasant taste.
Next, you may have a cutting board with a varnish finish. This is a transparent film for woodworking which is also known as lacquer or shellac. Well, this product protects wood so your cutting board has a beautiful finish. However, you cannot use it to maintain your cutting board.
The reasons why because most varnishes are from a solvent. So, it can leave resin or binder to protect the surface of the cutting board. The residue of resin will then chip and peel off when you expose it to knives. As a result, it can lead to two bad things. First, the substance is toxic to humans. Second, the presence of varnish will ruin the taste and the aesthetic appeal of your foods [Source].
For this reason, we have gathered the best products that give you a win-win solution to answer this problem.
Top 10 Best Cutting Board Oils
1. Thirteen Chefs Food Sage Grade Mineral Oil for Cutting Boards
Do you need the best cutting board oil? Take this option. It is one of the recommended mineral oil to maintain a wooden cutting board. It is a mineral oil that hydrates your cutting board. So, it will not warp.
Additionally, this mineral oil works for all kinds of wood. When your cutting board looks old, you can use this oil to restore its look. Even better, it is food-safe oil that is easy to use. To start, use a little mineral oil for a cutting board and apply it every three months. The last thing to know about this oil is it meets the standard of FDA and USP grade.
Pros:
- It protects and repairs your cutting board from premature cracking
- The application is easy with a small amount of oil
- A single bottle of this oil can last for many years.
Cons:
- Packaging issue
2. Clarks Food-Grade Cutting Board Mineral Oil & Conditioner
This is the alternative for the best food-grade mineral oil. This oil is easy to apply and it works to restore the surface of your wooden cutting board. Even you can use it for your butcher block.
When your cutting board starts to warp, dull, or show wear, use it as a conditioning oil. It also contains anti-microbial agents so it will penetrate the cutting board to block the bad bacteria. This oil meets the FDA regulation on food safety.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- It contains a light citrus smell that also spreads and absorbs quickly
- You will see a big difference before and after applying the oil to your cutting board
Cons:
- Packaging issue
3. John Boos Block BWCB Butcher Block Board Cream
Next, take this board cream with silky and thick texture from food-grade mineral oil and unbleached beeswax. It works to lock in the moisture and to give a barrier for future washings.
Additionally, it is easy to use this product. What you should do is to apply it on the cutting board or the butcher block. After that, you can use your hands or a cloth to spread the cream across the board. You can use it if you want to find the best alternative for the best cutting board mineral oil.
Pros:
- It soaks well and it works great
- The product offers a smooth finish with no smell at all
- Apply it several times and you can restore your old cutting board with its shiny look
Cons:
- It is hard to remove the excess oil, so it is better to use a paper towel
4. Caron & Doucet Plant-Based & Vegan Cutting Board Oil
This is a pure conditioning oil for cutting board and butcher block. Caron & Doucet offers this oil to hydrate your cutting board. Use this oil and it will increase the life of your wooden kitchenware.
Unlike other oils, this one is from refined coconut oil without chain fatty acids. As a result, it makes the oil will not get rancid or create a bad smell. Even better, it helps you remove any odors.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- It is the ideal choice if you are looking for an oil that is not a paste
- It does not dry sticky or attracts dust
Cons:
- The oil has a scent, like lemon verbena. The scent is nice but it is like losing its “original” ingredients.
5. Howard Conditioner for Butcher Block
Do you need a conditioner for a butcher block that meets the standard of the US FDA? Take this choice since it is the best butcher block wax from natural waxes. It is food safe and it works to prevent cracking or drying hardwoods. Therefore, it is a good choice to give more protection to your cutting board.
Additionally, this original USP grade is from mineral oil, carnauba wax, and beeswax. Therefore, it comes with food-grade mineral oil that will never go rancid. Even it can stabilize your cutting board, thanks to the presence of vitamin E.
Pros:
- Ideal for restaurant use
- Good for cutting board, wooden furniture, and others
- Make your old piece looks new again.
Cons:
- Leaving a sticky residue
6. Walrus Oil FDA Grade Food-Safe
From Walrus, the compositions of this oil are coconut oil, vitamin E, pure mineral oil, and beeswax. It is what you need if you are looking for an oil that has FDA grade. You can use it for both butcher blocks and cutting boards.
This oil comes in liquid form but it is scent-free. It does not too thick or too thin. Also, it will not contaminate the food with a strange taste. Apply it to your wooden kitchenware and it will offer a smooth, silky finish, rich color, and shiny look. If you want to make your cutting board has richer color and more depth, it is good to use two coats.
Pros:
- It makes your cutting board has a richer finish
- Ideal to moisture and restore the wooden texture
- Easy to use
Cons:
- One buyer left a comment that the product had a strong smell, others had no same experience
7. John Boos Butcher Blocks Oil NSF Certified
This is a food-grade oil from John Boos that works to protect your cutting board or butcher blocks. It does not come with the board cream, so you have to purchase it separately. There are some reasons why you should go with this product.
First, it is easy to apply because you just have to apply it over the surface of the cutting board. After that, use a clean cloth or a paper towel to spread it evenly. By doing this, the oil will penetrate the pores of the wood. Continue by wiping off the excess.
Pros:
- It also works best to make your old and dull kitchen island looks like new
- Every time you apply it, it gives a richer look to your wooden kitchenware
- Food grade oil, so you can use it for others as well.
Cons:
- Poor packaging
8. Premium Wax and Conditioner for Cutting Board
Move onto this product. It is what you need to seal and protect butcher blocks, cutting boards, wooden kitchen furniture and appliances with all-natural wax. It is from beeswax, food-grade mineral oil, and carnauba wax. Also, the oil is food safe that you just have to blend it with the right touch.
It is easy to apply the wax because there are no dangerous vapors. Even better, you do not have to melt it first. To start, squeeze it onto the wood surface. After that, use a soft cloth to spread the wax evenly. Once you applied it, wait for two hours before using it. It works for various types of woods, including pine, teak, maple, and oak. Additionally, it can be the answer for you who need the best oil for walnut cutting board.
Pros:
- Good quality
- Easy to apply
- Protect your cutting board and make it looks new
Cons:
- It needs a while to dry, especially on a larger cutting board
9. Caron & Doucet Cutting Board Wax
This is the next option we think good to decide. It is a wax finish from natural ingredients, all are plants-based compositions. Additionally, it is a food-safe wax that enhances the life of your wooden kitchenware.
Additionally, some mineral oils are petrochemicals, and this wax does not have that ingredient. The wax is from refined coconut oil without long-chain fatty acids. Therefore, it does not cause a rancid or bad smell. Even better, it makes your cutting board is easier to clean and wash. The oils work best to remove all odors.
Simply wash the cutting board and then allow it to dry. After that, apply a teaspoon of this oil. You will need a microfiber cloth and let it dry for 30 minutes. Well, you may need more coats to apply to new or dry wood. If you want to get the best result, it is good to finalize it with a waterproof finish by using the wax.
Pros:
- It is the ideal choice if you want a natural way to protect your wooden kitchenware and furniture
- It gives you the best result if you start with the oil and then go for the wax
- The coconut oil for this product is natural and even safe for your wood and food.
Cons:
- If you are living in cold houses, this coconut oil is difficult to spread on the surface.
10. Howard Products Food Grade Mineral Oil
Last but not the least, this is what you need to clean and maintain the lifespan of your cutting board. It is a tasteless, colorless, and odorless mineral oil that will never get rancid. Additionally, it is food safe because it has met the standard of USP grade.
Other than that, you can use this oil to rejuvenate wooden kitchenware. For example, you can use it for butcher blocks, cutting boards, wooden bowls, wooden utensils, and even countertops. It works by penetrating the wood pores so that the wood will not dry or crack. If you wonder whether it has met the standard of FDA regulations, the answer is yes!
Pros*:
- Never go rancid
- Good for anything about wood such as cutting boards, countertops, butcher blocks, and others
- Food safe
*based on manufacturer
Cons:
- No available reviews
Cutting Board Oil Buying Guide
Since there is so much conflicting information available about the best cutting board oil, we think we can help you with this buying guide.
1. Follow the Standard of FDA
If you want to find the best cutting board mineral oil, it means you are looking for liquid paraffin. It is safe because it is a non-toxic solution. Also, it is non-drying oil from petroleum, which means it is flavorless, odorless, and colorless.
The reason it is safe for cutting boards is that according to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) the properties of mineral oil can prevent the absorption of the water so it is food-safe oil. The tips to find the best mineral oil is by finding a product with “white mineral oil” label. So, check the label if you are not sure about the proper use of mineral oil.
2. Think of Allergic Matter
Beeswax, for example, is also one of the popular options when it comes to cutting board oil. This is a purely natural wax from beehives, especially honey bees. You can use it as a waterproof for your cutting board. However, this is not recommended for those who have allergic to propolis or bee pollen. Even it is not the ideal choice for strict vegan.
3. Long-Chain Triglycerides (LCT)-Free
Coconut oils are also demanding right now because you can use them for different purposes. With the high level of saturated fats, it does not mean that all coconut oils are good for cutting boards. When the fats are exposed to the air, they will go rancid and this oil is not immune. For this reason, it is better to find refined coconut oil that has been produced from a fractionation process.
After the distillation process, coconut oil is free from long-chain triglycerides or LCT. So, it only has medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). Hence, you will get a pure oil that will not go rancid when you are using it to maintain your cutting board. It also means not all coconut oils are food-safe.
4. Use Natural Oil
Carnauba is Brazil wax because it is from the leaves of the palm tree from Brazil. Even you may hear that Carnauba is the queen of waxes with the glossy finish and the water-resistant feature. You can use this oil for many things such as car waxes, polishes, and others. Just like beeswax, you can find many cutting board creams that contain a mixture of beeswax, mineral oil, and carnauba. Again, make sure that you check the compositions for the allergic matter.
5. Oils You Should Use Carefully
Here are some oils you should use carefully if you want to maintain your cutting board:
- Tung oil – Produced from the tung tree, most tung oil varnishes are toxic-chemicals. Choose 100% original tung oil if you want to use it for your cutting board
- Linseed oil – The oil is from flax plant but the boiled linseed oil is toxic for humans because of the additional chemicals.
- Walnut oil – This oil is from a nut, so be careful for those who are allergic to nuts.
- Coconut oil (Refined, non-processed, or Virgin coconut oil) – Risk of rancidification that makes your cutting board smells. [Source]
Frequently Questioned Answers
Q: Cutting board vs butcher block: What is the difference?
A: A butcher block is from end grain with the thickness 1.5-inch at least, so it is heavier than a cutting board. Also, a butcher block should be large enough to handle the meat with the size 12-inch x 12-inch minimum. Meanwhile, a cutting board is for slicing and dicing vegetables and fruits. [Source]
Q: Is teak oil food safe?
A: Teak has large pores which means that the possibility to get contamination of bacteria, stains, and moisture is higher than walnut, beech, or maple. [Source]
Q: What is the best oil for wood cutting boards?
A: Mineral oil or liquid paraffin is the best cutting board oil. [Source]
Q: What is the best mineral oil for cutting boards?
A: When you are looking for the best mineral cutting board oil, make sure that the product meets the standard of food-grade by FDA or the USP-grade. You can check the label to find the list of the classification. [Source]
Conclusion
That’s all the compilation of best cutting board oil products that we gather from the market. There are several types of oil used to protect your cutting board. Keep in mind that cutting board and butcher block are not the same in terms of functionality. However, the oil for butcher block can be used for cutting boards. The coverage that we present on this page comes from several types of cutting board oils. Hope you enjoy.