Hi, I did this research here in U.K many years ago. In my town, the most inexpensive source of food grade mineral oil is known as 'liquid paraffin'. It's what traditional mothers used to give their young children a spoonful of to act as a safe laxative. It is available here at our chemist shops and counters. It is also the best lubricant and protectant for all kinds of knives and tools around the kitchen or workshop.
You'll find 2 types of Mineral Oil at your drug store. "Light" is only for external uses!
"Heavy" mineral oil is the one to use on your cutting boards. It'll be found in the laxative section because in larger doses that's what it's used for. The trace amount that'll contact the food on your board will not cause problems, but it's still safe to ingest.
Oils used as wood finishes do not so much "dry" (which would indicate the evaporation of solvents) as they polymerize, a chemical process whereby the oil combines with oxygen to form a new compound. The most common (in woodworking) are tung oil and "boiled" linseed oil; walnut oil also polymerizes. While wax makes a nice surface finish for oil-finished furniture etc., offering a nice feel and even sheen, it offers very little protection, and is pretty useless on cutting boards.
Your best bet is Amazon. If you get a food-grade white mineral oil, make sure it is non-formulated. Formulated kinds are generally used as lubricants, rust-preventers and/or dust suppressors.
Despite what the selected "best answer" says, walnut oil (and other plant oils) is a bad idea as it absolutely can and does go rancid.
If you're worried about mineral oil being petroleum based, don't. It's more stable and inert than anything else out there. And unless you're living in a mud, grass and wood hut, wear nothing but hemp clothing you made yourself from tools you made yourself, and walk everywhere you're using petroleum-based products throughout each and every day.
It is a petroleum product- I don't think anyone has gone so far as to declare it absolutely safe, but it (I use the word "it" but there are actually a number of formulations and grades) is also used as baby oil. The USDA approved food grade presents very little possibility of causing problems; not only are the quantities likely to be ingested minute, but it is (as someone noted below) an "intestinal lubricant" and any that you ingest will pass right out the other end. There should be no problem finding it.
To be honest, I'm not a big fan of using mineral oil. That stuff is derived from petroleum. In the past I have used straight up Olive Oil but the problem with most plant based oils is that when they get in contact with water, they become rancid. Then the cutting boards will have a very weird smell which can actually affect the taste of your food. I have actually recently come across a product that works very well, CARON & DOUCET cutting board oil and is 100% natural, I recommend it over any mineral oil based product. I have yet to try the wax that they offer but it seems like a really cool product.
It will go rancid, you should steer away from these types of oil. Check out Caron & Doucet. They make a killer oil that wont go rancid and smells amazing!
I've always used olive oil to stop my boards From drying out. Just let it dry before use. Some old boards get very thirsty. So a few Applications are needed!
I've always used mineral oil only, on cutting boards & on a kitchen island with a butcher block top top, with good results. I am allergic to beeswax & now have a family member allergic to nuts, so this is not something I would not suggest anyone fool around with - allergies can happen suddenly.
Vermont Rolling Pins sells a blend of beeswax and food safe mineral oil. Adding the beeswax makes the sheen and protection last longer. And if you're in the market for a rolling pin, they are all hand turned, not only great to use, but to display too.
Came across this today: http://www.bonappetit.com/blogsandforums/blogs/badaily/2012/12/wood-butter-1.html. I've also seen some bloggers post recipes to make this. Has anyone tried it?
Yep. I've not tried their brand, but I've made my own. It's really lovely. I did about 80% mineral oil to 20% bee's wax (just eyeballed it). Just warm them up together until the bee's wax is melted, mix well, then pour into jars. Once it's at room temperature it stays solid (but not hard - much like butter at room temp) and smells of honey. Glad you reminded me of it, as I think I'll make some more and give it as little stocking stuffers!
I've used mineral oil (from the drug store) successfully on wooden spoons, cutting boards & a wooden kitchen island from IKEA. I wouldn't add beeswax because I'm allergic to it, & in the last year we have gained a family member who is allergic to most nuts so I'm glad I didn't use anything else.
I bought some for sealing some homemade slate cheese boards recently.
Wal-greens (or any drug store) will have it. But you need to know where to look--it's in with the laxatives as "Mineral Oil: Intestinal Lubricant".
I remember from my restaurant days the bartenders rubbing new Boos Block cutting boards with linseed oil. And linseed oil is another name for flaxseed oil: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linseed_oil
Something just popped in my head from many moons ago re: linseed oil: it's very flammable. Back in school, smoking - or any open flame - was absolutely verboten in painting studio because of all the flammable materials like that hanging around. Just thought I'd mention it, if you're going to use/store it in a kitchen.
After inheriting a good quality wood cutting board someone told me they need special care. A search of "Wood cutting boards" at Google led me to various sites about just that. Several of them suggested the following schedule for prepping a new board.
Apply mineral oil, wait five minutes, rub off excess. Do this every day of he first week.
Then do that once a week for the next month.
After, that once a month for the remainder of that first year.
From then on, as needed. Depending on use, about once a week or so.
The mineral oil I use is not labeled "Food Grade" but after approximately six years we've had no problems.
Can't remember whether I bought it at either Home Depot or Lowe's. One of the other.
I saw it once at Home Depot. You can even find it at any local store for painting purposes or arts supply stores may be Michael's or so. I buy walnut oil for Canvas painting from arts supply store... They have various oils...
I think you might be thinking of mineral spirits, not oil - which is sometimes used as a thinner for paint and definitely not edible. As you mentioned, walnut oil is sometimes used with oil paint as a thinner/drying agent (like linseed oil.) As far as I know, it's the same as culinary walnut oil, though possibly a lesser grade.
I agree with usuba dashi's post! Why would anyone want to ingest a by- product of the petroleum industry? I don't even put any mineral oil on my skin. Google mineral oil and see what you need to be concerned about.
I used mineral oil on my butcher block island and now when i put a pad of paper down it is oily/stained when i pick it up - what did I do wrong and how can I fix it??
Thanks
There's a fellow in New Hampshire who makes interesting spoons out of mountain laurel and other woods. His preservation method is long, slow cooking in walnut oil and beeswax. It smells absolutely wonderful.
I don't know much about woodwork, but I can tell you that walnut oil used to be a common oil for painting (as in canvases) - to thin paint/as a medium. It's still used - though not as commonly as linseed oil. It dries relatively fast and since it doesn't yellow as much as linseed when it dries, there are advantages with lighter pigments.
In a painting studio, it's stored carefully so it doesn't go rancid (not cheap, and in painting you typically use more than, e.g., the tablespoon or two you'd put in a salad.) I believe that once it dries, going 'off' isn't a problem.
The reason walnut oil is used in woodworking is because it does not go rancid. Any oil will dry and add a layer of protection on wood, which is why all furniture with oil finishes should be given a coating of good wax now and then . . . or if you are like me, I make my own paste wax with 4 parts beeswax and one part walnut oil. I buy my walnut oil at the food store . . .always cheaper than the walnut oil at the paint store, since it should be the same thing. That also lets me use it in cooking or salads. I have never had my oil go rancid, even expeller pressed.
usuda dashi, in your first post you say 2 parts walnut 1 part beeswax. then in the 2nd post you say 4 parts beeswax one part walnut. are they for different purposes? thanks!
usuda dashi, in your first post you say 2 parts walnut 1 part beeswax. then in the 2nd post you say 4 parts beeswax one part walnut. are they for different purposes? thanks!
usuba dashi, I have a question about an apparent walnut oil paradox. Maybe you'll know the answer: when it comes to cooking, we are warned to keep walnut oil in the refrigerator to keep it from going rancid. Yet, it's commonly used as a food-safe wood preservative that won't go rancid. I've read that when it's applied to wood that it "dries out" or "hardens." Is that the key? Thanks.
Drugstore is the way to go. Mineral oil USP is cheap and works like a charm. USP is United States Pharmacopeia, and means there is a quality standard the product must meet before its sold.
When I am not cooking, I do woodworking. Mineral oil in petroleum based. Personally, I have an issue with the petrol industry. Instead, you can use walnut or almond oil . . .they will not go rancid and I think are a more natural finish to use (I use walnut oil & beeswax on the furniture I build). To really get a first class finish, I like to melt, over a double boiler two parts walnut oil and one part beeswax. I melt the beeswax in the oil, stir it up and once it cools, I keep it in a jar. Once a month, a quick rub of fresh coating on my wooden board keeps it in perfect condition. My father did they same, and I still use his original cutting board he bought in 1941, along with his butcher block from his shop from the same date. The walnut oil and beeswax will create a water proof seal on the surface, protecting the wood for over a lifetime.
It is true that you can use walnut oil on your cutting board. However, my husband is allergic to nuts, so I can't use walnut or almond oil. So my advice is unless you are sure that no one you know is sensitive to nuts stick with a non-allergenic, food grade oil like USP mineral oil. I appreciate that people have issues with the petrol industry, but when it comes to your health and the health of your friends and family, it is better to be safe than sorry. On top of that, USP mineral oil is much easier to find and much cheaper than either walnut or almond oil. Just take a look in the pharmacy section of your local Target or Walmart, it will be in with the section along with the Pepto Bismal and the laxatives since mineral oil is also a "digestive lubricant." It is a fraction of the price of any nut oil or any butcher block oil that you find in the hardware section (around $1.65 for 16oz). I do the same type of bee's wax mix as usuba dashi but I use mineral oil instead. It works great and is truly food-safe for everyone, even those with nut allergies.
It is true that you can use walnut oil on your cutting board. However, my husband is allergic to nuts, so I can't use walnut or almond oil. So my advice is unless you are sure that no one you know is sensitive to nuts stick with a non-allergenic, food grade oil like USP mineral oil. I appreciate that people have issues with the petrol industry, but when it comes to your health and the health of your friends and family, it is better to be safe than sorry. On top of that, USP mineral oil is much easier to find and much cheaper than either walnut or almond oil. Just take a look in the pharmacy section of your local Target or Walmart, it will be in with the section along with the Pepto Bismal and the laxatives since mineral oil is also a "digestive lubricant." It is a fraction of the price of any nut oil or any butcher block oil that you find in the hardware section (around $1.65 for 16oz). I do the same type of bee's wax mix as usuba dashi but I use mineral oil instead. It works great and is truly food-safe for everyone, even those with nut allergies.
Yes, the drug store mineral oil is the proper oil for your wood cutting boards. It would also be the least expensive. I'm sure the blends the chain stores sell work too but they won't work any better.
Food grade=you'd drink it. prettyPeas is right; it's a common drugstore item, designed to move things right along. Its utilitarian nature (in the drug store) also means it is cheap there. (Organic gardeners also use a drop or two at the tip of an ear of corn, the better to fool the corn ear worm.)
hla has it nailed. The difference between the oils is the FDA approves food grade for use directly on food - where it is manufactured and how it is manufactured comes into account to be food safe. Do check the label, a petroleum based mineral oil can be food safe if you care about not using petroleum based products.
I've gotten some at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I'm pretty sure Ikea carries it as well. Any place that sells wooden knife blocks, or butcher blocks, or cutting boards should carry it. Kitchen Kaboodle and Sur la Table also carry it. I've made a really nice wood finish/conditioner with 80 percent mineral oil, and 20 percent melted bee's wax - solidifies at room temp & smell's like honey.
They also sell it at drugstores as an "intestinal lubricant". Same stuff. I recently got this beeswax/mineral oil combination http://www.amazon.com/Howard-BBC012-Butcher-Conditioner-12-Ounces/dp/tech-data/B001ESTA30
and really like it--the finish lasts a bit longer and it is easier to apply evenly to vertical surfaces.
The brand I have at the moment is Planet Natural Block Oil. It came from a hardware store. I don't think it's actually mineral oil, as real mineral oil comes from oil, and this one, I suspect is plant-based, including some lemon oil. Real mineral oil would probably have been cheaper. Basically, what you want for preserving wood cutting boards is something that's safe to eat and doesn't go rancid. Rub it into your new cutting board on occasion, and it will remain more odor-free and last longer.
To be honest, I'm not a big fan of using mineral oil. That stuff is derived from petroleum. In the past I have used straight up Olive Oil but the problem with most plant based oils is that when they get in contact with water, they become rancid. Then the cutting boards will have a very weird smell which can actually affect the taste of your food. I have actually recently come across a product that works very well, CARON & DOUCET cutting board oil and is 100% natural, I recommend it over any mineral oil based product. I have yet to try the wax that they offer but it seems like a really cool product.
59 Comments
"Heavy" mineral oil is the one to use on your cutting boards. It'll be found in the laxative section because in larger doses that's what it's used for. The trace amount that'll contact the food on your board will not cause problems, but it's still safe to ingest.
Despite what the selected "best answer" says, walnut oil (and other plant oils) is a bad idea as it absolutely can and does go rancid.
If you're worried about mineral oil being petroleum based, don't. It's more stable and inert than anything else out there. And unless you're living in a mud, grass and wood hut, wear nothing but hemp clothing you made yourself from tools you made yourself, and walk everywhere you're using petroleum-based products throughout each and every day.
http://irishoakandrope.com/Care-of-your-chopping-board
It is suitable for wooden chopping boards, butchers blocks, wooden utensils etc.
It won't go Rancid or leave a taste/smell on the food like some other oils can. Also, very importantly it wont trigger allergies like peanut oil etc.
From drying out. Just let it dry before use. Some old boards get very thirsty. So a few
Applications are needed!
Wal-greens (or any drug store) will have it. But you need to know where to look--it's in with the laxatives as "Mineral Oil: Intestinal Lubricant".
It's a natural way to care for wood.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/469135-is-flaxseed-oil-the-same-as-linseed-oil/
Aaron Brands: Intestinal Lubricant Mineral Oil, 16 fl oz
WalMart Online
$1.48 - 16 ounces
Out of stock online
In stores
Price may vary
In stock in your local Arlington store.
Apply mineral oil, wait five minutes, rub off excess. Do this every day of he first week.
Then do that once a week for the next month.
After, that once a month for the remainder of that first year.
From then on, as needed. Depending on use, about once a week or so.
The mineral oil I use is not labeled "Food Grade" but after approximately six years we've had no problems.
Can't remember whether I bought it at either Home Depot or Lowe's. One of the other.
Thanks
In a painting studio, it's stored carefully so it doesn't go rancid (not cheap, and in painting you typically use more than, e.g., the tablespoon or two you'd put in a salad.) I believe that once it dries, going 'off' isn't a problem.
Voted the Best Reply!
and really like it--the finish lasts a bit longer and it is easier to apply evenly to vertical surfaces.
Mineral oil with a USP rating.
Around $5.99 for 160z