Maintaining Wood Chopping Boards

Our answer

To maintain the surface of a wooden chopping board you need to oil it with a food grade mineral oil. You can buy this oil in some department stores and hardware stores. There are also some proprietary brands available on the internet. Don't use a cooking oil such as olive oil or vegetable oil as this will tend to turn rancid over time.

Before you use your board for the first time rub a good layer of oil on to the board using a soft cloth and rubbing in the direction of the grain. Leave the board overnight. If all of the oil is absorbed then repeat the process then use a clean cloth to wipe off any oil that remains on the surface of the board.

Clean the board after each use with hot soapy water but do not soak the board and do not put it in a dishwasher. About once a month apply a layer of oil with a soft cloth, let the board stand for a couple of minutes and then wipe off any excess. However if you use the board a lot you may need to oil it more frequently.

For safe food handling we suggest that you use seperate boards for preparing raw foods (i.e. that are to be cooked) and foods that are ready to eat or do not need cooking before eating (e.g cheese, cooked meats, salads, fruit etc).