Kitchen Board Maintenance, Personalised Oak Gifts

We only use the very best and most durable wood. Our boards are made to last and to be used every day. Those first few cuts can be a bit nervewrecking when you see the knife marks made in the beautiful smooth wood, but keep going and over time you will have your very unique boards. The patina that builds up over time just makes it more and more beautiful for every year that goes. We have constructed them of several pieces of solid oak to help prevent warping and minimise cracking. However they will develop their own character over time depending on how it is used and cared for.

Before your board left our workshop it was treated with at least three coats of oil. We advise that you continue to condition the board with a food safe oil, and therefore include a small bottle of White Mineral Oil to start you off with every board. You can buy more White Mineral Oil from your local DIY shop or from our website for £15.

The natural preservative in oak will make sure your boards will be with you for many years. However we have found that with regular application of White Mineral Oil (also known as Butcher Block Oil) the boards are a lot easier to keep clean. It improves the resistance to stains, and oiled wood absorbs less moisture, reducing the risk of the wood cracking.

HOW TO USE:

Apply a generous amount of oil with a clean rag or kitchen paper. Leave to absorb for an hour or so and wipe off any surplus. The frequency of application depends on how you use your board. If you use it every day (which you should), the saying goes:

"Oil it once a day for a week, once a week for a month, once a month for a year, and then once a year for the rest of your life..."

To clean it you should scrub it with hot water and soap. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Do not dry it in hot sunshine or close to your AGA. Never submerge cutting boards in a sink of water! Wood is porous and will soak up water causing the cutting board to crack when it dries.

To eliminate garlic, onion or any other smells from your board you can rub it with coarse salt, baking soda, lemon or vinegar, leave for a few minutes and rinse.

Do not leave anything moist on the board for a long time, ie. cheese overnight, as the moisture gets into the wood and stains can develop. If any dark marks should develop on your board (although they shouldn’t if you have been oiling it), you can try rubbing it with fresh rhubarb.

Please contact us for further advice and information.