Understanding the Benefits of Oiling Your Cutting Board
- Zayden Frost
- 5 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Learn why oiling your cutting board matters, how it protects the wood, prevents cracks, and keeps your board safe, durable, and looking its best.
Do you want to ensure that your cutting board lasts you for a long time?
Most people do not know that their wooden cutting board requires frequent maintenance. In fact…
If you do not maintain your board the way you should, it will dry out and crack over time, becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. Furthermore, 87% of food handlers use the same cutting board for all foods, which makes the correct maintenance even more crucial from a food safety perspective.
Thankfully, oiling your cutting board is a quick and easy process. This can extend its lifespan by a significant amount while also improving its safety for food preparation.
In this article, you will learn:
Why it is important to maintain your cutting board
The science behind how to oil a cutting board
How oiling protects the cutting board against bacteria
How to choose the correct oil for your cutting board
The step by step oiling process
Why it is important to maintain a cutting board
Ok, let's be real here… Most people purchase a nice wooden cutting board for the kitchen, then completely forget about it.
This is a big mistake, as wood is a porous material that changes over time. If you do not take care of your cutting board, it will:
Dry out and crack
Become warped due to moisture absorption
Accumulate bacteria deep into grooves
Have a weathered, unattractive appearance
And that's not all.
When a cutting board dries out, it is also a health hazard. Excessive drying can lead to the wood splitting and splintering apart. This can leave you with wood particles in your food.
Very appetizing, right?
On the other hand, if you take care of your cutting board by applying a food safe cutting board oil regularly while preparing food, you create a barrier that keeps moisture out and prevents all these problems from happening.
The science behind how to oil a cutting board
Did you know this…
Wood cutting boards have natural antibacterial properties. According to research, 99.9 percent of bacteria on wooden cutting boards died within three minutes. None of the bacteria died on plastic boards.
Impressive, huh?
The reason this is so, is because wood has natural pores that trap the bacteria and pull them away from the surface. Oiling plays a role in this too:
By oiling your cutting board, you are saturating the wood fibers with a protective layer. This ensures that other liquids do not get to soak into the wood.
Think of it this way:
An oiled cutting board is like a fortress, while an unoiled board is a sitting duck. The oil fills up the pores and creates a barrier that prevents harmful liquids and substances from penetrating deep into the wood. When the board is left unprotected, it is prone to moisture damage, bacterial growth, and all sorts of nastiness.
How oil protects the cutting board against bacteria
Ok, ok, you might be thinking: "Great, so it is just for looks?"
Well, no.
Not only does regular oiling make your cutting board look its best, but it also makes it more hygienic and safer for food preparation.
Why?
It controls moisture. Oil repels water, ensuring that your cutting board does not provide a damp environment for bacteria to thrive
It prevents deep cracks. Deep cracks in your cutting board provide a cozy home for bacteria. Oil helps to keep the surface smooth and intact
It creates a smoother surface. Oiling your cutting board helps to keep the wood fibers smooth, which makes it easier to clean the board after every use
It extends the life of your board. A properly maintained board can last years longer than a neglected one.
The key here is consistency. You can't just oil the cutting board once and then forget about it. You need to maintain it regularly to keep it in the best possible shape and food-safe.
How to choose the correct oil for your cutting board
Not all oils are made equal when it comes to cutting boards.
The problem with regular cooking oils:
Regular vegetable oils, olive oil, coconut oil and others will go rancid on your cutting board. This causes a terrible smell and could even lead to your food tasting like rancid cooking oil. Who wants their toast in the morning tasting like used cooking oil, right?
So, what should you use instead?
The best choice is food-grade mineral oil. This is because mineral oil is:
Colorless and odorless
Will not go rancid
Safe for food contact
Penetrates deep into the wood
Is quite affordable and long-lasting
You can also use a mixture of mineral oil and beeswax, which creates an additional protective layer on top of the wood. This is great for cutting boards that receive daily, heavy use.
The step by step process for oiling a cutting board
So, you have chosen the best oil for the job. Now, what to do next?
The steps for how to oil a cutting board are as follows:
Clean your board with warm soapy water. Dry it thoroughly, before applying any oil. Any moisture on the surface will prevent it from penetrating the wood properly
Pour a generous amount of oil on the board. Don't skimp here. You need to thoroughly saturate the surface. Use a clean cloth to rub the oil into the wood, with circular motions
Pay extra attention to the board's edges, visible knife marks or scratches, and places that look particularly dry
Leave the oil on the board to soak in for at least 4-6 hours. The longer you leave it, the deeper it will penetrate. Overnight is best. After the allotted time, wipe away any excess oil with a clean, dry cloth
How often should you do this?
For most, once per month is enough. If you use your cutting board daily or work with lots of raw meat, every 2-3 weeks is a good idea. The board will let you know when it needs more oil. If it looks and feels dry, it is time for another application.
Final thoughts on cutting board care
Oil your cutting board doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. It is a simple maintenance task that might take you 10 minutes of active work (plus waiting time).
But, oh, the benefits.
A well-maintained cutting board will:
Last you for decades, instead of years
Be safer to use for food preparation
Look good in your kitchen
Save you money in the long run
The take-home message is this:
Regular oiling is the single most important thing you can do to prolong the life of your cutting board and ensure that your food preparation remains safe. It also prevents warping, cracking, and bacterial growth while also making it look and work better.
Don't wait until your board is already damaged. Start an oiling routine today and see the difference it can make. Your cutting board (and bank account) will thank you in the long run.
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