#cutting boards

Tips

Line diagram. Top: three sections through the top of a board with the finish shown in amber. Mineral oil or board butter soaks into the wood and never hardens; renew it when the wood looks dry. Pure tung oil, a drying oil, also soaks in and hardens inside the wood, with a full cure of up to 30 days. An oil and urethane film sits on top of the wood, and a knife mark chips it; General Finishes says its bowl finish is for bowls, not cutting surfaces. Bottom: oily rag safety in two steps: hang the rag up or spread it flat outdoors, away from buildings, to dry; then put it in a metal container with a tight cover, filled with water and detergent, and check with your town about disposal.

October 15, 2026

Finishes for Cutting Boards: What the Labels Say

Mineral oil, board butters, wax, pure tung oil, and bowl finish compared using each maker's own label: what's in it, how to apply it, how long it takes to cure, and how to get rid of the oily rags without starting a fire.