Shopsmith Forums

I'm making a couple of small end-grain cutting boards out of hard maple and I am seeking guidance on what the best finish for them would be. I have some Watco Butcher Block finish which is petroleum based an I also have Mineral Oil. Is one of these better than the other or should I consider something else?

Both are food safe, I am a mineral oil guy for mine and wooden food utensils, dish washers are tuff on any one of them, which I do not put them in. What ever you use, you will have to recoat occasionally.

Mineral oil is also a petroleum oil. Watch out for mineral oil sold in pharmacies, some have fragrances added to make your skin smell better when it's used as a skin lotion.

Gary

I'm also a mineral oil person. But not the mineral oil you purchase at the local hardware store. I prefer using a "food safe" mineral oil. So I get mine at Tractors Supply. Works like a charm and doesn't spoil.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/ideal-animal-health-mineral-oil-light-1-gal#desc-tab

Watch out for mineral oil sold in pharmacies, some have fragrances added to make your skin smell better when it's used as a skin lotion.
Just look at the ingredients!

I'm another mineral oil guy, and like Bob, I advise that they not go in the dishwasher.

Since it is not a film finish, recoating is easy and only takes a couple of minutes.

John

BTW, I warm it up to thin the viscosity a bit to soak in better.

rbursek wrote:BTW, I warm it up to thin the viscosity a bit to soak in better.

You been to too many massage parlors!:D

Yes I have back in my Tri and Marathon days, I bet you put creosote on your cutting boards. Or was it the mix of creosote and used/drained motor oil??

I bought a can of salad bowl finish 25 years ago and still have not used it up completely. It goes on all my wood surfaces that touch food.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... oducts.htm