Master Your Board: The Ultimate Cutting Board Care Guide
Hello, Home Cooks, Kitchen Enthusiasts, and Food Prep Pros!
Whether you're a seasoned chef or just starting your culinary journey, chances are you rely on a trusty cutting board. It's the unsung hero of your kitchen, bearing witness to countless meals, chopping marathons, and recipe experiments. But how often do we truly think about caring for this hardworking essential?
At The Blended Oasis, we believe a well-loved board isn't just a tool—it's a beautiful, functional piece of art designed to bring joy and functionality to your everyday life. That's why we craft all our cutting boards to be 100% food-safe and durable.
Want to keep yours looking gorgeous and lasting for years to come? You've come to the right place!
The Golden Rules of Wood Board Care: DO's & DON'Ts
Think of your wooden board like a loyal pet; it needs regular attention and a little TLC to thrive! Getting these basics right will drastically extend your board's life.
The DO's of Daily Care:
- Hand Wash with a Gentle Touch: After each use, hand wash your board with a little soap and a soft dish rag or non-abrasive scrubber.
- Rinse Immediately: Get rid of food particles and soap residue right away. Running water is fine!
- Dry, Dry, Dry! This is HUGE. Immediately dry your board with a kitchen towel, removing as much excess water as possible.
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Air Dry, Propped Up: Let it air dry completely by propping it up on its edge. This allows air to circulate evenly around both sides.
- Storage: Always store your board upright (never flat!). Even when a board seems dry, wood can still retain subtle moisture. Laying it flat traps this moisture against the surface, leading to uneven drying and eventually causing the board to possibly cup or warp over time. Proper upright storage allows continuous air circulation, keeping your board perfectly flat and happy.
The DON'Ts (These are Deal-Breakers!):
- NO Soaking: Absolutely do NOT soak or submerge your board in water. This applies to most wooden kitchen items. Soaking leads to warping, cracking, and even mildew.
- NO Dishwasher: Running your board through the dishwasher is a one-way ticket to ruin. The intense heat and prolonged water exposure are wood's worst enemies.
- NO Laying Flat to Dry: Leaving it flat traps moisture, encouraging warping and uneven drying.
- NO Extreme Temperatures: Avoid leaving your board in direct sunlight or subjecting it to extreme temperature changes (like placing it near a hot oven). This can cause cracking and warping.
Nourish Your Wood: Long-Term Maintenance
Just like your skin needs moisturizer, your wooden board needs nourishment to prevent drying, cracking, and looking dull.
Our Superior Pre-Treatment Makes a Difference! At The Blended Oasis, we take an extra step that sets us apart. Unlike many woodworking companies who simply wipe on oil or board butter, we meticulously soak all our wooden cutting boards and kitchen gear in food-grade mineral oil during creation. This deep saturation provides a superior finish and a robust initial conditioning. We then follow up with a generous application of our signature Board Butter.
The result? Your board arrives extra-nourished and ready for action, potentially letting you jump straight to a less frequent moisturizing schedule!
After purchase, you'll want to treat your wooden board with one of the following Food-Grade Moisturizers to keep it looking its best:
- Board Butter (Our personal favorite at The Blended Oasis! Don't have any? Reach out to us for details!)
- Mineral Oil
- Butcher Block Conditioner
Recommended Moisturizing Schedule:
- 1x/day for 1 week (when new or after heavy use)
- 1x/week for 1 month
- 1x/month for 1 year (and as needed afterward)
Thanks to our superior pre-treatment, your board is already off to a great start! You can likely jump straight to a less frequent schedule: 1x/month for the first year (and as needed afterward)
Important Note: Please do not use vegetable oils (like olive or canola oil) to treat your wood. They can turn rancid over time, leaving a sticky residue and an unpleasant smell. Food-grade mineral oil or dedicated board conditioners are always best!
A Special Note on Resin & Laser Engraved Boards
At The Blended Oasis, many of our beautiful wooden pieces feature intricate laser engravings or stunning epoxy resin accents. Here’s what you need to know to ensure their longevity and beauty:
- Food-Safe, Always: All our cutting boards, whether they have resin or engraving, are designed to be 100% food-safe for all your culinary adventures.
- Cutting on Laser Engraved Areas: Yes, you absolutely can cut directly on laser engraved sections! The engraving is burned into the wood and will not chip or release powder.
- Cutting on Epoxy Resin Areas: While it is technically possible to cut on epoxy resin, we strongly advise against it. Cutting on resin is much like etching into glass; it can scratch the beautiful resin surface permanently and may release fine resin powder. For best results and to preserve the beauty of your board, do not cut on the resin. Use these areas for display, serving, or as guides for where not to cut!
Give Your Boards the Love They Deserve!
With a little consistent care, your The Blended Oasis cutting boards, and all your wooden kitchenware, will provide years of beautiful, functional service and enjoyment. They're more than just tools; they're investments in your kitchen and culinary joy.
Want to learn more? Check out our dedicated Care & Maintenance page for more tips. Interested in our signature Board Butter? Reach out to us directly to purchase!
— Rachelle, The Blended Oasis
A Note on Imagery: The image featured in this post is an illustrative representation of cutting board care and maintenance. While we advocate for these practices, the specific products and branding shown are for conceptual purposes. Each piece from The Blended Oasis is unique and crafted with our distinctive touch.
