You love kitchen utensils made of wood. The appearance of the equipment without damage will usually be coated with a coating.
Of course, the coating must be food grade, so it is not harmful to health. Not all wood coatings, such as polyurethane and methyl compounds, are safe for health. While examples of butcher block finish food safe are mineral oil, tung oil, walnut oil, Linseed oil, and shellac.
Then why should I coat the butter block with the coating?
Applying a coating to the butcher block will indeed spend a small amount of time and money. However, a coating is still necessary because it can protect the Butcher Block from water.
Water damages the wood, making it easier for fungi to grow. Various kinds of food are also prone to sticking to the butcher block that is not coated with a coating. That’s why you still need to add a special finishing that is food safe.
List of wood finishes that are safe for food
We recommend you choose pure linseed oil or Tung oil. Both types of oil are included in the oil, which quickly dries when applied to the wood surface.
Both oils are also able to protect butter block well from water.
In addition, the application process does not require you to prepare a lot of solvents or equipment to apply to the butcher block.
Just apply the oil directly onto a clean wood surface. Many other online shops also provide pure tung oil and linseed oil.
The result of the application of both oils will be slightly matte and dark in color. The prices of both linseed oil and tung oil are equally affordable.
You also don’t need to buy in large volumes. Just buy the so-called oil with a volume of 15 ml for a butcher block. Giving a coating like this will not spend a lot of money.
Pure tung oil
Extracted from the china wood tree’s nut and used as a base in many blended finishes. Difficult to apply, requires multiple coats and is water resistant.
Raw linseed oil
They are made by pressing flax seeds. Contrary to boiled linseed, which contains metallic driers.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, the long curing time, attractive appearance, low water resistance, and frequent reapplication are additives that can be added to foods.
Mineral oil
Despite its petroleum origins, it is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and inert. It is available in drug stores as a laxative and hardware and kitchen supply stores as a wood finish.
Simple application, low water resistance, and frequent reapplication.
Walnut oil
Pressed from walnut tree nuts and sold as a salad oil in health food stores and large grocery stores. Walnut oil dries quickly and does not go rancid. Simple to apply requires frequent reapplication.
Beeswax
It is sold in woodworking and turning catalogs after being mixed with an oil to create a better-smelling, slightly more water repellent finish.
Carnauba wax
It comes from the Brazilian palm tree. More water-resistant and harder than beeswax. It is sold in woodworking and turning catalogs and can be used directly on woodenware as a light protective coating or top coat polish.
Shellac
In India, a lac bug secretion is harvested. The most water-resistant variety is super blond shellac flake. Finish that forms a film. It is available in woodworking catalogs, hardware, and art supply stores.
What Makes a Wood Finish Food-Safe?
Almost all wood finishing products are now considered food-safe. However, only a small number are technically designated as “non-toxic when fully cured.”
This is why there aren’t many modern wood finishes that can’t be used on tabletops or counters in homes or restaurants.
However, a wood finish is considered “food-safe once properly cured.”
When film-forming wood finishes are liquid, they are toxic. Still, once the solvents have evaporated and the finish has dried to a solid, fully-cured film on the surface of the wood, they are no longer toxic.
As a result, most furniture manufacturers will finish tabletops and kitchen counters with lacquer and other fast-drying materials that are often odorous and toxic.
No more dangerous than any other kitchen item once solvents have evaporated and the off-gassing period has passed.
Most food-safe finishes need about 30 days to cure, which is one of their most significant drawbacks.
What is the least toxic wood finish?
The best non-toxic wood finish is water-based polyurethane.
It’s inexpensive, simple to find at your neighborhood home improvement store, dries quickly, and, unlike wax and oil, gives your wood a durable finish.
Is it okay if I leave the wood bare?
While leaving your wooden surfaces bare and unfinished is an option, doing so increases the likelihood of stains, spills, and moisture buildup.
It is generally recommended that any piece of wood that may come into contact with any of the elements above receive a high-quality finish.
However, leaving things like drawer boxes, the interiors of cabinets and chests, the backs of furniture meant to be placed against walls, seat supports, and the undersides of table tops are not entirely uncommon.
Consider how much exposure the item will receive and whether there is a risk of damage to the surrounding area.
9 food-safe countertop sealers
Food-safe countertop sealers are designed to protect the surfaces of your kitchen and provide long-lasting protection against food stains, which is safe for humans.
These sealers are non-toxic and easy to use, and most are safe for cleaning with a sponge or dishwashing machine.
Before you buy a countertop sealer, look at the ingredients to ensure they are safe for use and find this information on the product’s label.
Here are the most popular types of non-toxic countertop sealers products:
1. Thirteen Chefs Food Grade Mineral Oil
It is a pure USP-grade cutting board oil that has been lab-tested to meet food safety standards and can even be used to condition butcher blocks.
It’s incredibly simple to use, as it has a push-applicator cap and a simple squeeze-bottle design.
Thirteen Chefs Food Grade Mineral Oil hydrates, seals, and penetrates deeply into the wood to shield it from the impacts of water, helping to preserve the integrity of the wood.
It is an extremely dependable food-safe wood countertop sealer at a highly reasonable price.
2. Howard Products Food-Grade Wax
This is another fantastic option for enhancing the overall beauty of your kitchen while protecting the surfaces from harmful chemicals.
It is a thick, smooth mixture of beeswax, carnauba wax, and food-grade mineral oil that helps clean, seal, and protect surfaces inside and out.
It helps to keep bronze, copper, brass, and even wrought iron from tarnishing and oxidizing, leaving a soft sheen and smooth finish.
3. Watco Butcher Block Oil & Finish
It is the best choice for protecting interior wood surfaces like butcher blocks, cutting boards, salad bowls, and more.
This Watco finish is a non-toxic formula that, once fully cured, is completely safe for food contact and dries to the touch in about 2 hours.
Rust-Oleum, a world-renowned paint brand specializing in outdoor finishes, created this application.
4. HOPE’S Pure Tung Oil
It is an excellent choice for those seeking a long-lasting natural oil to cure all fine woods.
Deep penetration of the wood fibers by tung oil forms an integrated, flexible, non-oily solid.
It stands up well to water, alcohol, oil, and normal wear and tears and lasts much longer than most mineral oil or wax-based products.
5. Tried & True – Danish Oil
Is a product safe for skin, food, and indoor applications? Do professional woodworkers use it everywhere?
None of the Tried & True products contain artificial additives; instead, they are all made with 100 percent renewable ingredients, primarily from trees, bees, and seeds.
6. UltraPro Food Grade Mineral Oil
It is a versatile oil that can be applied to many things, including food, automobiles, cosmetics, building, etc.
However, it also aids in treating and safeguarding bamboo, butcher blocks, and other wooden objects. Vitamin E is added to their white mineral oil to preserve quality while handling and storing.
7. Bulls Eye Shellac (FILM SEALER)
Bulls Eye Shellac is easy to use, all-natural, and non-toxic. It is a traditional finish for wood trim, paneling, and furniture. It is one of the best protective sealers for crafts and home improvement projects.
However, keep in mind that until it completely dries, this shellac sealer will be toxic. When applying, ensure you are in a well-ventilated area and wearing the appropriate respirators.
8. CLARK’S Cutting Board and Butcher Block Finish Wax
It is an all-natural design formulated explicitly with mineral oil, lemon oil, orange oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax. It comes with the option of orange, lemon, rosemary, or lavender scent.
There are countless positive reviews for CLARK’s Cutting Board and Butcher Block Finish Wax, as well as a top-notch customer service team.
9. Bayes High-Performance Food Grade Mineral Oil
It is a unique formula that helps protect all wood cutting boards, utensils, and kitchenware for many years by using the best food-grade mineral oil.
This option is also non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, so it’s excellent for your house and the environment.
How to Make a Butcher Block Food Safe
Making a butcher block food safe is simple and has numerous advantages.
Using a high-quality sealer, ensure that the butcher block is well sealed. Here are a few points to keep your butcher block food safe:
Clean the Butcher Block Surface
Before putting on the coating, you must first clean the surface of the butcher.
If you have a fan in the room cleaning the dust, you should also turn it on. You can also rub with 60-grit sandpaper after cleaning.
Smooth out the butcher block’s whole surface and clean it up. Next, use sandpaper with 80 and 100 grit to make the surface smoother.
Clean the surface of the butcher block again with a clean cloth or brush. The next cleaning process can be done by wetting the cloth.
The cloth has also been dipped in mineral spirit or ammonia. Squeeze the rag so it doesn’t drip again, and rub it over the surface of the butcher block.
You are wiping all surfaces in the same direction until there is no more sticking debris. You can repeat this cleaning process until you get the level of cleanliness you want.
Dry Butcher Block
Dry the butter block before coating it with linseed oil or tung oil. You can use a dry cloth to speed up the process. You will most likely need a few dry rags.
If you want to make the butcher block dry faster, you can also use a shop vacuum. This action is important to prevent wood particles from being accidentally inhaled.
Avoid using a traditional vacuum cleaner because the wood particles can clog. If you don’t have a shop vacuum, you can dry manually.
Wait for 2 hours and check if the surface is dry. You can also speed up the drying with a fan.
Put on the Gloves
If you choose tung oil as a coating, you should know that tung oil has a unique smell. Some people don’t like the smell.
Besides having a unique smell, tung oil also dries quickly, similar to glue. Don’t let this oil get on your hands.
Always wear gloves before handling oil. Try gloves made of rubber, so it doesn’t allow oil to seep into the glove.
Buy rubber gloves at a hardware store. You can also buy gloves at convenient stores or traditional markets.
However, working with oil-filled hands is not very comfortable. So you better use gloves even though linseed oil is not dangerous.
Pour Tung or Linseed Oil and Rub
Pour this oil directly onto the surface of the Butcher Block. Do not pour too much and adjust to the surface area.
It’s better to pour a little at a time because linseed and tung oil dries quickly. If it’s already dry but hasn’t been flattened yet, your butcher block will not look beautiful.
Please wait for 15 minutes and soak it. This soaking process will not dissolve the linseed oil and tung oil. After that, please wait for it to dry for two days.
Apply Second Coat
You can again wipe the surface of the butcher block with a dry cloth. Use gloves and a mask. Then take a dry cloth and pour the linseed oil or tung oil on the surface again.
Use circular motions to distribute the oil. Again let stand for 15 minutes so that the oil seeps into the wood’s pores. You can use a timer if you often forget how long you’ve been waiting for the oil to dry.
You can add a third coating if you want to make the butcher block more durable from the dangers of water. Just wait for two days again so that you can reapply for the third coating.
Remember to be patient whenever you want to do these steps and get the beautiful butcher block. You can also repeat the oil application process if you don’t get a matte effect.
Also, do this process when the butter block starts to fade.
