Shopsmith Forums

I have been watching lots of videos on wood working for when I get home and I have often seen beeswax used to finish projects. my sister and brother-in-law are bee farmers and I got looking at making my own beeswax polish. the sites I looked at gace lots of options for oils to use (options include olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, walnut oil, etc) I wouldn't use walnut due to all of the allergies out there, my niece and nephew included. my question is would you have to worry about olive oils and coconut oils going rancid over time, they are organic so would have to go bad right? are there safe oils to use that wont go bad or am I just over thinking this and the others are fine?

Used as a finish I think you are 'ok' with olive oil. All oils will go rancid with exposure to oxygen over time. It may be that the acids in wood prevent this from happening, as well as evaporation. Or it may be such a thin layer it's just not noticeable. I've used olive oil on my cutting boards and wood handles of knives in the kitchen. I've never noticed anything approaching a rancid smell. I have also used almond oil and grape seed oil. I have found a line of various oils at the better supermarkets. Almond smells really nice to me.

If going rancid is the concern, how about mineral oil?

algale wrote:If going rancid is the concern, how about mineral oil?

I found this about mineral oil:
"The oil should be food grade and not prone to rancidity. Mineral oil is an inexpensive and popular choice. I like to use a homemade mixture of beeswax and mineral oil"

http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-oil-and-maintain-a-wooden-cutting-board-lessons-from-the-kitchn-195642

Many other sources say food grade mineral oil can be used or combined as your heart desires. If I were in the culinary business, I would experiment a little. Hmm, think I am going to make some cutting boards. Our plastic one looks 'gunky'.

Dan

algale wrote:If going rancid is the concern, how about mineral oil?

That's my thought as well - mineral oil is my choice for anything that will contact food and you shouldn't have an rancidity concerns. I too am a beekeeper and have been saving up my spare wax for the past 4+ years with no particular plan for it at this point…I have a couple milk cartons full. Keep us posted on how this works out for you, as this would be a good use. I also have been meaning to get around to making some beeswax soap…I have all the supplies and a book on doing it but available time is my usual enemy.