Cutting Board Care and Maintenance
Proper Care And Maintenance For Your Cutting Board
When you receive your cutting board from Refine Products, it arrives pre-seasoned with mineral oil, and ready to use. Be sure to continually season your board at least once a month with the food safe oil or wax of your choice.
Choosing an Oil or Wax To Maintain Your Board
When you receive your board, the first step is to add the oil or wax of your choice to properly preserve your cutting board. The goal of oil or wax is to penetrate the wood and prevent other liquids and moisture from absorbing into the board. This will also help the board from warping or cracking over time. Be sure to choose an oil or oil that is food grade since your board will be in contact with food. It is highly recommend to not use any natural oils such as peanut, vegetable, corn, olive, or walnut oil. These oils will eventually make your board smell foul, since they are rich in fat. Also, never use any oils from the hardware store that are meant for machine lubrication. These are not meant to come in contact with food.
Once you have chosen your oil or wax it is time to apply to your cutting board. When first applying, be sure to cover the entire board until you can visually see that the board has darkened in color and has a wet look to it. Once the entire board is covered, you can use a towel to continue to spread throughout and let the towel absorb any access. After a coat has been thoroughly applied, we recommend sitting the board on a wire rack or upright so it can properly dry.
It is very important to continue application maintenance to your board. We recommend using oil or wax on your board every month or sooner if you frequently use it. Not continuing to maintain can result in warping, or in some cases cracking, which can void your warranty.
Cleaning Your Board
After using your cutting board, it is very important to make sure your board is clean of any liquids in order to keep sanitary. In order to properly clean, here are some methods to avoid:
Do not put your cutting board in the dishwasher. The excess heat and water from a dishwasher can wash away the oils, causing the board to absorb water and heat. This in return can cause the board to warp or crack.
Do not submerge or let your cutting board soak in water. The wood can potentially absorb the water causing it to warp over time.
Do not use bleach or other chemicals on your board for cleaning. This will stain and absorb into the wood causing it to dry out and also potentially hold harmful chemicals that can get into your food.
Do not lay your cutting board down flat after cleaning. If one side dries and the other stays wet, this can cause the board to warp to one side.
The proper way to clean your board is in the sink using soap, warm water, and either a rag or scrub to clean off. You can run your board under water while scrubbing in order to clean off any liquids or potential bacteria from cooking. After cleaning, immediately towel dry or air dry upright so all sides can dry equally. If board shows signs of drying out or wear after cleaning, re-apply board oils or wax to maintain your board.
We hope this guide helps you to properly maintain your cutting board and enjoy it for years to come!