What oil is used on wooden cutting boards?

We are used to the fact that there is always a cutting board in the kitchen, and sometimes even more than one. So, in order for a product to serve for a long time, it must be properly cared for. And it's not just about washing and drying. Any wooden board must be treated with oil, which will guarantee its durability, quality and strength. Olive and sunflower are not suitable for such a procedure: they will not make any sense. To treat wooden cutting boards, you only need special compounds.

Purpose

Such care will be useful both for a new product and for one that has already been used. Correctly selected oil has no odor, taste or color, does not leave stains on the surface and does not affect the quality of those products that will subsequently come into contact with wood.

Why are wooden cutting boards treated?

• to remove unpleasant odor;
• for disinfection: destroys moldy fungi, microbes and bacteria inside the porous structure;
• Wood is a capricious material, so it dries out over time, and the treatment promotes impregnation, which further reduces the risk of chips and cracks.

Types of oils

It is generally accepted that a wooden cutting board can be treated with absolutely any oil that is on the shelf in your kitchen. But that's not true. Moreover, soaking the product in sunflower or olive oil will only make it worse.Over time, they will acquire a rancid taste and will give it to the products that you cut on the board. Thus, it turns out that any vegetable oil is simply not suitable for such a task.

To process a wooden board, use exclusively mineral oil made from petroleum products. It is worth immediately noting that it does not contain dangerous organic substances or their compounds that could be harmful to health. They have been used for a very long time in the food industry, medicine, and even for oral administration in the treatment of specific diseases.

The correct oil can be purchased in special stores that sell wooden boards, such as IKEA or Wildberries. The cost is very affordable - no more than 500 rubles for a 250 ml bottle. But there is an even more affordable composition suitable for the task - Vaseline, which can be found in any pharmacy. The asking price is 60 rubles. for 100 ml.

Vegetable analogues, such as nut, tung or flax, can also be an alternative. But in these cases, you must remember that later they can transmit a bitter taste to products that come into contact with the cutting surface.

As the product is used, the impregnation must be updated on time, regardless of which oil you choose - linseed, mineral or Vaseline!

How to choose depending on the board material?

It's clear that boards are different. They are made from plywood, oak, pine, beech and other wood. Any oil you decide to use will only benefit the product if it is used correctly.

• Pine boards treated with flax seed oil may develop an unpleasant, bitter odor over time.
• Some markets have quite profitable promotions when boards are sold immediately with impregnation in a set. This is a very good offer, since the manufacturer has already selected the composition that is suitable specifically for this wood.
• Vaseline oil is suitable for any type of wood.
• Oak is the most durable, strong and reliable option. Wax is often used to process it. This combination will help give the product durability and allow it to be used for many years. But the impregnation needs to be updated from time to time.

As you can see, there are no difficulties in processing wooden cutting boards. The main thing is to purchase the right oil, which will preserve not only the appearance of the product, but also its quality.