HANDCRAFTED HARDWOOD PRODUCTS FAQ
A minimum of once a month (depending upon the use and household conditions), apply an even coat of food safe mineral oil to all surfaces of your wood cutting board using a cloth or disposable towel. Allow the food safe mineral oill to fully penetrate through the wood fibers overnight, then wipe off any excess oil. Apply additional oil to any visible dry spots or for any other necessary reasons. For additional protection, it is recommended to use a cutting board preservative to seal the top of the wood surface in conjunction to the mineral oil. Apply an even coat of the preservative using a cloth or disposable towel. Allow the preservative to penetrate the wood surface overnight, then wipe off any excess cream. When the cutting board becomes dry and lighter in color, you know that the time has come to re-oil your board. NOTE: DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF COOKING OIL ON YOUR WOOD CUTTING BOARDS. THIS WILL DAMAGE YOUR BOARDS. With a minimum amount of care and maintenance, you can lengthen the life of your board by many years.
Sprinkle kosher or table salt on your cutting board and then use a damp sponge or paper towel to rub the stained or discolored area. The salt will absorb stains, flavors, and odors. For stubborn stains, try sanding down the area with a 200 grit sand paper. It is very important to sand with the grain of the wood, never against the grain. This sanding process exposes a brand new wood work surface. Once sanding is complete, it is recommended to oil your cutting board with mineral oil and follow up with a preservative containing Beeswax. This product protects the board and controls its moisture content, keeping it from drying out, cracking or splitting.
Lemon or lime juice with a little salt will go a long way to reducing odor. Sprinkle your cutting board with kosher or table salt. Cut a lemon or lime into quarters and use these quarters to rub the salt into the board, squeezing juice onto the board as you go. Let sit for 2-3 minutes and then wipe the cutting board clean with a damp cloth. Use a clean paper towel to remove excess water or let the board air dry by standing it on end.
Proper storage of wood cutting boards is crucial to prevent warping. Unlike plastic, glass, or composite boards that can be stored flat, wood cutting boards should be stored on their edge and away from direct sunlight. Placing a wood cutting board flat for an extended period of time on a cold stone countertop can hinder airflow and lead to moisture imbalance. If you wish to showcase your cutting board on the countertop for an extended period of time, ensure proper air circulation by using a mesh rubber mat underneath for reversible boards. This ensures the beauty of your cutting board is maintained while preventing potential warping issues.
End Grain Cutting Boards features the end pieces of wood rails approximately 1-1/2″ x 1-3/4″ that are glued together into a traditional square pattern. During cutting or chopping, the end grain wood fibers absorb the impact of the knife blade, allowing your knife to stay sharper and your board surfaces to stay smoother. Edge Grain Cutting Boards features full length wood rails approximately 1-3/4″ wide that span the entire length of the board. Edge Grain Cutting Boards feature a uniform thickness and true flat cutting surface.
Although Lonestar Handicrafts hardword cutting boards DO NOT harbor bacteria, it is a good habit to use separate cutting boards for different types of food prep. For example, use one for raw meat, poultry, or fish, and another for cooked or ready-to-eat foods such as salad, vegetables, and breads. This will ensure protection against cross contamination and will prevent the spreading of certain food borne bacteria such as E-Coli.
Keep your Lonestar Handicrafts cutting board sanitized by simply washing it with hot soapy water after each use and drying it with a clean paper towel or letting it air dry. If you want to sanitize the board more thoroughly, use a diluted mixture of chlorine bleach or vinegar solution that consists of one teaspoon of liquid chlorine bleach in one quart of water or a one to five dilution of vinegar. Do not soak or submerge the board in water, as this will disrupt the moisture content causing the rails to split. Wood cutting boards are NOT dishwasher safe.