A wood cutting board needs a hand wash, a dry stand and a coat of oil when the wood looks pale. That routine protects hardwood from standing water and heat. Both are hard on glue lines and grain.
CHOPnCUT sells Made-in-USA cutting boards and butcher blocks. The steps below apply to any solid hardwood board or block.
Wash by hand after every use
- Soap: mild dish soap and warm water.
- Tool: a soft brush or sponge.
- Rinse: a quick pass under the tap, then wipe both faces with a towel.
- Skip: soaking and the dishwasher. Long water contact and high heat swell the wood and can open the joints.
After raw meat, scrub with hot soapy water and rinse well before the board touches anything else.
Dry the board on its edge
Stand the board upright so air reaches both faces. A board left flat and wet holds moisture on the bottom face. That uneven drying can cup the board.
Oil the wood when it looks dry
Use food-grade mineral oil. Wipe on a thin coat across both faces and all four edges. Let it soak in for several hours or overnight. Wipe off what the wood did not absorb.
Check the board every few weeks. Oil it again when the grain looks pale or feels dry. The CHOPnCUT shop puts it simply: oil them, cook on them, pass them on.
Handle odors, stains and scratches
- Odors: rub the surface with coarse salt and half a lemon, then rinse and dry.
- Stains: scrub with salt and a damp cloth, then re-oil once dry.
- Scratches: sand shallow knife marks with fine-grit paper, wipe off the dust, then oil the sanded area.
Care for end-grain boards and butcher blocks
The same routine fits every piece in the shop. That includes the Gum Hardwood Prep Board in solid gum hardwood, the end-grain Bold Stripe Meat Board with walnut and maple stripes, and the Black Iron Butcher Block. Larger blocks such as the Calais Butcher Block Table get the same wash, dry and oil cycle.
Have a question on size, wood or care? Contact the shop at chopncut.com. The shop answers.