Best Cutting Board Oils To Keep Your Chopping Boards New and Nourished
Wooden cutting boards have now become a necessity in our kitchens for their ease of cutting. However, their wood starts drying and creaking after some use and gets more prone to bacteria, which decreases their lifespan. Hence, to make them durable, we are here with the best cutting board oils in 2023 that will nourish your boards by deeply penetrating into their pores. These oils will not only lubricate but also protect your chopping boards from harmful bacteria that can cause health issues.
Now, there are a host of oils for cutting boards available in the market, and choosing one can be challenging. So to smoothen your purchasing experience, we have created a guide comprising some important factors to ponder before buying the right product according to your requirement.
The Best Cutting Board Oils You Can Buy In 2023
Thirteen Chefs Cutting Board Oil
– Best Overall
This is a pure USP grade mineral oil that maintains a firm layer on the top of cutting boards to hydrate and penetrates deeply into them, thus preventing water from affecting the wooden surface. Moreover, the easy-squeeze design bottle comes with a push applicator cap to dispense the oil easily on the surface. So, there will be no dripping of oil on the floor. You can use your hand or rag to lubricate all the surfaces of the wooden block with oil and let it sit for 4 hours before use.
Furthermore, you can use this multipurpose for conditioning stainless steel and marble countertops. It can be used to lubricate knives, cutting boards, butcher’s blocks, and meat grinders. Also, the product is certified by NSF to ensure that there are no contaminants in it.
- Prevents fading and drying of the wood fibers on kitchen utensils
- Can be used to clean the countertops made of stainless
- Works on all types of wooden surfaces and extends their life
- The viscosity of the product is thick, so it does not penetrate deeply into the wood pores
Raw Plus Rare Cutting Board Oil
– Best Use
This pure mineral oil is made from USP food-grade ingredients and is organically sourced. In addition, it is Kosher certified. It is naturally colorless, tasteless, and odorless. Vitamin E is included in the formulation and is safe to use as a treatment option for skin conditions such as eczema, which makes the skin sensitive, dry, and damaged. It can also be used to remove makeup without blocking pores. Metal blades, wooden cutting boards, cast iron tools, and soapstone surfaces that have become dull will benefit from this mineral oil. It comes in a clear plastic bottle with heat-closed foil and a resalable lid to ensure a leak-proof seal. Its handle with ergonomic shape provides for simple gripping and carrying convenience.
- Organically sourced
- Removes oil-based cosmetics
- Restores wood surfaces, metal, and iron
- Some may find its consistency thin
John Boos Cutting Board Oil
– Honorable Mention
Keep your cutting boards and butcher blocks in pristine condition with this oil. Its 16-ounce packaging works perfectly in maintaining and preserving your wooden surfaces, including your countertops and utensils. Moreover, the product is NSF (Natural Sanitation Foundation) certified, which means that it is safe for food preparation. Also, the oil is easy to use. All you need to do is put some oil on the surface and spread it evenly using a paper towel or rag, and let it absorb.
Oiling your wooden tools once a month can prevent them from drying and cracking. Thus, it will extend the lifespan of your cutting board. Besides, its manufacturer offers a one-year guarantee if there’s any defect in your surfaces due to the oil.
- A budget-friendly product, so buy it without a second thought
- Suitable for all types of wooden surfaces
- Offers one year guarantee against defects in materials
- Some people do not like its color
Bayes Cutting Board Oil
– Also Consider
Bamboo is one of the ultimate choices perfect for cutting boards, kitchen tools, and countertops. A good quality conditioner is necessary if you want to extend the lifespan of your wooden tools. Bayes conditioner is a high-performance oil that can help you preserve and maintain your kitchen tools. Repeated washes result in the drying and cracking of your possessions. But, this protectant will nourish your dried utensils, cutting boards, and all other items for years.
All you need is to wash and dry your tools, then apply the conditioner with a clean cloth, let it soak for 2-3 mins, and you are good to go. Moreover, it is cruelty-free and leaping bunny certified, which means it is non-toxic, biodegradable, and 100% pure food-grade cutting board oil.
- Perfect for bamboo and teak wood accessories
- Naturally protects and restores the color of the wood by nourishing them
- A cruelty-free and leaping bunny certified product
- Will not leave your surface greasy after use
- Some people don’t find the quality of the bottle good and durable
This white mineral food-grade oil is made in the USA. It is a non-toxic and non-drying formulation that is manufactured using petroleum. Its various features, such as colorless, odorless, and flavorless make it perfect for your kitchen. It works efficiently as a lubricant for wood cutting boards, industrial slicers, knives, blades, and machines. Moreover, it increases the lifespan of your wooden boards and butcher’s blocks by treating and protecting them with its high-quality formulation. It not only nourishes your tools but also removes the food-borne odor, so there will be no pungent smell in your food. Also, this multipurpose oil can be used over stainless steel countertops to polish and protect them.
- Removes the odor from your shelves and moisturizes them naturally
- An unscented food product that is ideal for your kitchen
- Can be used to remove oil-based makeup
- Some people complained about the leakage in the product
This cutting board oil is made in the USA under strict quality. There are no harmful chemicals and allergenic substances used in the oil that is toxic for humans and the environment. It is a deep penetrating product that helps revive wooden tools, including countertops, cutting boards, wooden utensils, and butcher’s blocks.
Moreover, this USP-grade mineral oil is tasteless, colorless, odorless, and enriched with vitamin E. Hence, you can use it without a second thought. It also deeply lubricates the wood pores to prevent drying and cracking. Thus, it brings back the original color luster of the surface as the day one. On top of everything, it is perfect for seasoning cutting boards and butcher’s blocks.
- The thin viscosity of the oil allows deep penetration into the wooden pores and brings back the color of wood
- There is no greasy residue after the application of the oil
- 100% pure food-grade mineral oil
- Needs to be reapplied more frequently after a few uses
Buying Guide for the Best Cutting Board Oils
Using the right cutting board oil is necessary because it can affect your food taste and body health. But, which chopping board oil is right for you? To answer your question, we are here with a buying guide in which we discussed the different types of oils and the factors to consider that you must know before buying the best cutting board oil according to your requirement.
What Are the Various Types of Cutting Board Oils?
Mineral oils
Mineral oils are the most popular among various cutting board oils as they are derived from petroleum. They are non-toxic, odorless, and flavorless, which is why they became an essential product for kitchens. They work perfectly for wooden surfaces as they prevent moisture from penetrating the wood pores, thus extending the lifespan of your cutting boards. Since these cutting board oils do not leave any residue after usage, they are used for wooden utensils and cleaning shelves.
Plant-based oils
In contrast to mineral oils, plant-based oils are derived from plants by processing the plant material to extract them for cutting boards. This is how we obtain plant-based oils like linseed oil, walnut oil, tung oil, and carnauba wax. Some people prefer these cutting board oils as they are natural and manufactured from plants. But, before buying them, it is always recommended to check if you have an allergy to a particular plant. For example, if you are allergic to nuts, walnut oil might not be ideal for you.
Beeswax
Beeswax is another option if you prefer natural and eco-friendly products. It is a natural cutting board oil derived from beehives. Besides, you can use it for various purposes like haircare, skincare, and oiling chopping boards.
What Are Various Factors To Consider While Purchasing the Best Cutting Board Oil?
Quality
While looking for the best cutting board oil, it is always necessary to check if the product is NSP or USF certified, or FDA approved because not all manufacturers use high-quality ingredients. If the products are approved, it means they are non-toxic and perfect for your cutting board as they contain no harmful chemicals. Moreover, if you are looking for plant-based products, always check the ingredients if you have food allergies.
Hydration retention
Hydration is another important factor to consider while purchasing your cutting board oil. It is always recommended to read the reviews before you buy something. In the case of chopping board oil, check how well the product performed after its application and how frequently the wooden surface needs to be oiled again. If the oil has the potential to keep the chopping board hydrated for 2-3 weeks, then grab it without any second thought. But, if it needs oiling after a few washes, you need to get some other product.
Odor
When purchasing a mineral oil, always get a food-grade as well as odorless oil. This is because an oil with an odor is more likely to give your food a pungent smell and unpleasant taste. So to avoid the risk of ruining your food, buy an odorless mineral oil.
Ease of use
A good cutting board oil is easy to pour and spread over the whole surface. Some of the oils come with an applicator cap, making the application easy and avoiding the spilling of oil. Moreover, oil should leave no greasy residue after application as it can make a mess in your kitchen.
What Is the Price of a Reliable Cutting Board Oil?
The price of good cutting board oil ranges from $10 to $30, depending upon its quantity. While purchasing the chopping board oil, always consider how much the product costs you per ounce. This will help you to get the best product at a good price in good quantity.
What Are the Tips for Using Cutting Board Oils?
- Look for a push applicator cap or a squeeze bottle to avoid a greasy mess in your kitchen due to the dripping of oil everywhere.
- Always use mineral oil that is food-grade (not all mineral oils are food-grade) as it is odorless, flavorless, and colorless. So, it will not change the taste and the odor of your food.
- Don’t forget to read the directions on the label thoroughly before using the cutting board oil. Different oils have different directions and quantities. So, you should know the right amount and right time to use them.
- If anyone in your family has food allergies, always check the ingredients before buying to avoid allergies.
Cutting Board Oil FAQ
A: Basically, it depends on two factors: how long you have been using your cutting board and how thick your cutting board is. If you have a new chopping board, then apply at least two layers of cutting board oil. Allow it to absorb for half an hour, or let it soak overnight. If its thickness is more than an inch, apply 3-4 coats. If your chopping board is old, then coating it after a week is a good practice to maintain it.
A: We don't recommend cleaning the cutting board with bleach as it can deeply penetrate your wood pores and harm your food and health.
A: Yes, coconut oil can be used as a lubricant for your cutting board. But, it is advised to use one that has gone through the fractionation process. This oil will not go rancid, is perfect for shelves, and can also be used for cutting boards, kitchen utensils, and wood surfaces.
A: Yes, oiling your bamboo cutting board is a good practice to maintain for the long term. However, it is technically hard grass. You can make use of any of the above-mentioned oils to hydrate your bamboo cutting board. The same factors are applicable while buying oil for bamboo cutting boards too.
