How to Oil Your Cutting Board: A Complete Guide

Are you looking for a simple and effective solution to extending the life of your wooden or bamboo cutting board? If you want your cutting boards to stand the test of time, one of the best ways to do so is to oil them regularly. Oiling your bamboo and wood cutting boards can work wonders in preserving the lifespan of your chopping block and it enhances their natural beauty.  

In this guide, we’ll dive into the importance of oiling, what oils to use and give step-by-step instructions to get your cutting boards looking gorgeous. 

Why Should I Oil My Cutting Boards?  

There are many added benefits to regularly oiling your cutting boards. Once you discover the difference oiling your cutting boards will make, you’ll realize the big payoff that comes from the small time invested. 

An oiled cutting board is much more hygienic than an unoiled one. When a bamboo or wooden cutting board becomes dry, it’s more susceptible to cracking. These cracks in your chopping block are areas in which food waste or bacteria can get trapped, leading to mold. However, if you oil your wood cutting boards, they’re far less likely to dry out or crack, making it less likely to grow mold. 

When wood or bamboo dries out, it can also lead to excess moisture getting trapped in the board which can cause warping. Oiling, however, keeps wood and bamboo from drying out. If you regularly oil your butcher block and let them air dry after washing, it will help prevent your boards from warping. 

Oiling your wood boards prevents dryness, cracking, mold and warping, and on top of all that, it also adds a beautiful finish to your board. By oiling your wooden and bamboo boards, you’re not only protecting them, but restoring them. You’ll be stunned the first time you oil your old, favorite wood board. Within a matter of minutes, you’ll have your cutting board look beautiful and brand new again. 

You can also oil your bamboo or wooden cooking utensils! Any of your wooden and bamboo kitchen tools will benefit from regular oiling.  

Before you consider oiling your board, check to see if it has a lacquer coating on it. Cutting boards or cooking utensils that are coated in lacquer do not benefit from oil as much as uncoated boards and utensils do. 

How to Oil Your Cutting Boards 

The first step in oiling your cutting boards is to gather your supplies. The key is finding oil that is food-safe. The most commonly used cutting board oil is mineral oil.  

Food-grade mineral oil is the most widely used because it’s stable and won’t go rancid over time. Coconut oil or linseed oil may also be used as a substitute to mineral oil. Vegetable oil, olive oil and canola oil should be avoided as they can go rancid and leave your board with an unpleasant smell. If you’re looking for a food-grade mineral oil, we recommend our Revitalizing Oil. 

Once you have your oil of choice, you’ll need a clean cloth and your bamboo or wood cutting board or cooking utensil. Before you oil your cutting boards or cooking utensils, make sure to wash them with warm water and soap, and let them air dry. Once they are completely dry, apply a generous amount of oil with a clean, soft cloth. Make sure you apply enough oil to coat the surface. Then spread the oil evenly with the soft cloth.  

Remove any excess oil using a dry, clean cloth or paper towel. Then allow the board to air dry, making sure to stand the board vertically so it can dry evenly. Once the board or cooking utensils are dry, your butcher block will have a beautiful, glossy finish that will prevent cracking, warping and mold!  

For the best results, oil your wooden and bamboo cutting boards or kitchen utensils about once a month.  

Oiling your cutting boards and cooking utensils is an easy way to protect and restore them. Extend the life of your kitchen tools and keep them looking beautiful with a simple swipe of oil.