Cutting Board Finish

[troy_curtis]

I am thinking about making some cutting boards. I was going to use the mouse and cheese board from Steve Good patterns. What is a good finish for that. I want to be sure it is safe for cutting food on. Also, what kind of wood would you suggest for this cutting board. We want something that will look nice enough with a natural color but not too expensive.

[GrayBeard]

Mineral Oil or Butcher Block oil.

I use mineral oil on all my cutting boards and have for over 40 years.

~~~GB~~~

[jimbo]

Boiled linseed oil and thinners use several coats
Jimbo

[jrpeteo]

I bought some stuff at Rockler called "Salad bowl finish" safe for food.
Pete

[troy_curtis]

Ok, I just need to find where to buy mineral oil here in Phoenix. Also debating a good kind of wood for this. Was thinking maple might be good or cherry.

[GrayBeard]

Mineral Oil is available at your neighborhood pharmacy, grocery, etc.
And it is very inexpensive!

~~~GB~~~

[dgman]

You can find it at your local Riteaid or Walgreens. As for woods, any closed grain hardwood will be fine such as Cherry, Maple, walnut, Beech, Hickory, Purpleheart ect.
Do not use soft woods like pine or ceder. Do not use open grain woods like Red Oak and Mahogany.

Don't worry about so called toxic woods. It is the wood dust that can cause problems. Cutting it with a knife will not present problems.

[TheMelster]

walmart carries it also.... try in the medicine area. Under $2

[geneVG]

 You can also get what ever you need at your local Menards Store if you have down there.

gene

[troy_curtis]

You can also get what ever you need at your local Menards Store if you have down there.

gene

Nope, no Menards here. We have Home Depot or Lowes. But also Walmart and Walgreens is fine.

[yyyyyguy]

Sorry bout horning in on this subject but is tung oil/BLO ok for say a bread basket but not for a cutting board?   Pete

[Billy in Va]

Mostof the store bought finishes are food safe these days, after they are cured.  NOTE  not dry but cured. I may take a few days before they are fully cured. I use a beeswax/mineral oil paste on the puzzles I cut for small kids.  even ho other finishes are ok, this appeases the parents. Pluse its quick and easy to apply and mkes the wood look better, not shiny just brings out the grain more.

[troy_curtis]

I went to Walmart and now I am a regular wood worker...well I will be if I use enough mineral oil. 

[Shogun]

Troy,
If you can't find mineral oil for your cutting boards I know Lowe's carries butchers block which is safe for food. As far as the wood,
you mentioned maple or cherry...both would be good choices but I have to say I really like the way cherry looks with a clear stain or iol on it...try staining a small piece of both to see which you prefer.

[troy_curtis]

Troy,
If you can't find mineral oil for your cutting boards I know Lowe's carries butchers block which is safe for food. As far as the wood,
you mentioned maple or cherry...both would be good choices but I have to say I really like the way cherry looks with a clear stain or iol on it...try staining a small piece of both to see which you prefer.

I have some 1/2 in maple. I was thinking about cherry and then you suggest it. If I can find some 1/2 in cherry I will try that. I might make it with a thicker cherry for the base and then maybe maple to contrast it for the mouse and cheese. Thanks for the suggestion.