Care guide
How to oil and clean a wooden board
Wash your board by hand with warm soapy water and dry it straight away, standing on its edge. Oil it about once a month with food-safe board oil, then buff in beeswax. Never use the dishwasher or leave it soaking. These steps stop timber drying, cracking and warping.
01
How do you clean a wooden board?
- Scrape and rinse. Scrape off food, then rinse under warm water.
- Wash by hand. Use a soft sponge and a little dish soap. Wash both sides, even if you only used one, so the board dries evenly.
- Dry straight away. Towel it dry, then stand it on its edge to air dry fully. Lying flat on a wet bench traps moisture underneath.
Do
- Wash soon after use
- Dry standing on its edge
- Store somewhere dry, out of direct sun
Don't
- Put it in the dishwasher
- Leave it soaking in the sink
- Use bleach or harsh cleaners
02
How often should you oil a wooden board?
Oil keeps water out and stops the timber drying and splitting. Oil roughly once a month, or whenever the board looks pale or feels dry.
- Start clean and dry. Oil a board that has dried overnight after washing.
- Flood it. Pour on food-safe board oil and spread it over every face and edge with a soft cloth.
- Let it soak. Leave it for a few hours, or overnight if the board is thirsty.
- Wipe and wax. Wipe off any oil still sitting on the surface. Finish with a thin coat of beeswax conditioner and buff it in.
Skip olive, vegetable and other cooking oils. They can go rancid inside the timber and leave a smell.
03
How do you freshen up an old board?
- Smells & stains
- Sprinkle coarse salt over the board and scrub it with half a lemon. Rinse, dry and oil.
- Knife marks
- Sand lightly with fine sandpaper (about 240 grit), working along the grain. Wipe off the dust, then oil.
- Raised grain
- A new board can feel slightly fuzzy after its first few washes. A quick light sand and a coat of oil fixes it.
- Small cracks
- Oil more often and keep the board away from heat. If a crack keeps growing, bring it to the stall and Frank will take a look.
04
How do you look after an end-grain board?
End-grain chopping blocks are made with the wood fibres standing upright. Knives slip between the fibres instead of cutting across them, which is kinder to your knives and hides cut marks.
The same open fibres soak up liquid fast. Oil end-grain boards more often, especially in the first few months, and never leave them sitting in water. Compare the two constructions in end-grain versus edge-grain boards, or see Frank's chopping boards.
05
How do you care for a river table?
- Wipe spills quickly with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, then dry.
- Use mats and coasters under hot dishes and cold glasses. Heat can mark both the timber and the resin.
- Keep it out of strong sun. UV light can yellow resin and fade timber over time.
- Avoid silicone sprays and harsh cleaners; they build up on the finish.
- Expect a little movement. Solid timber expands and shrinks slightly with the seasons. That is normal.
Thinking of a table? See river tables made to order.
Questions
Can my board go in the dishwasher?
No. The heat and water will dry out the timber and can crack or warp it. Wash it by hand with warm soapy water and dry it straight away.
How often should I oil my board?
About once a month, or whenever the timber looks pale or dry. New boards and end-grain boards are thirstier, so oil them more often at first.
Can I use olive oil or vegetable oil?
It is best not to. Cooking oils can go rancid in the timber and leave a smell. Use a food-safe board oil and a beeswax conditioner instead.
Is it OK to cut raw meat on a timber board?
Yes, as long as you wash the board with hot soapy water straight afterwards and let it dry fully. Many cooks keep one board for raw meat and another for everything else. See are wooden chopping boards hygienic?
My board has warped. Can it be fixed?
A slight cup often settles once the board dries evenly: stand it on its edge somewhere cool for a few days. If it does not, get in touch with Frank.