If you’ve browsed our range, you’ll know we create many different personalised wooden boards; from chopping to cheese boards. Not to mention bread and carving boards. All handmade from the highest grade of oak. It’s important you know how to care for your board once it’s left our Worcestershire workshop.
How we finish our personalised wooden boards
A natural timber with distinct character, you’ll want the colour and graining to look at its best. All our personalised wooden boards are finished with two coats of Osmo TopOil. This is a matt, food-safe oil that protects the surface, whilst leaving it ready to do its job.
The oil soaks into the surface of the board, preventing the oak from drying out and protecting the surface for many months to come. It should provide enough protection for six to twelve months; dependent on the amount of use.
Wooden boards are the preferred choice for many leading chefs; not to mention home cooks. They’re gentler on knives, keeping them sharp for longer. And they’ll give you a lifetime of service (whilst looking fantastic) so long as you care for and clean them correctly.
When should you re-apply oil?
It’s easy to tell if your wooden board needs another coat of oil. It will be starting to dry out and might show signs of staining. Our advice is to wait until the board is ready. Over-oiling is not advisable.
What oil should you use?
We’re great fans of Osmo TopOil. We’ve been using it on our range for years. Less coats are generally required, and the finish is superior to many other oils we’ve tried. In our opinion, it’s the best way to protect your board and maximise its life.
You can buy Osmo TopOil from Wood Finishes Direct.
Of course, there are other oils available and traditionally, Butcher’s Oil has been a popular choice. So long as the oil is food-grade, clear and matt in finish, you’ll not detract from the look of your board.
How to oil your wooden board
You’ve got the right oil and your board needs a fresh coat. What next? It’s a simple three-step process:
1. Lightly sand the board with fine sandpaper (we use 240 grit). This will lighten any staining, lift the grain and smooth out any marks from usage.
2. Using a clean brush, apply a thin coat of oil. Leave it to soak in for ten minutes.
3. Using good quality kitchen towel (we use Plenty), wipe off any excess oil. Then put the board somewhere safe to dry overnight.
How to clean your wooden board
After each use, your wooden board should be wiped clean with warm soapy water. You can also use a light antibacterial cleanser, like Dettol. Then ensure it’s fully dry before storage. And that’s it!
NEVER use harsh cleaners (they’ll take the surface off).
NEVER put your board in the dishwasher.
NEVER submerge your board or leave it to soak in water.
Wood can soak up water, making it swell. When left to dry again, the moisture content reduces rapidly. This process presents a big risk of splits and cracks appearing. By committing to the right cleaning regime for your board, you’ll keep it looking gorgeous for longer.
Where to store your wooden board
There’s no doubt that personalised wooden boards look fabulous in the kitchen. And that’s great, so long as they’re not stored too close to a heat source; for example, an Aga or range cooker. Excessive heat will dry the wood out, risking distortion in shape. Find a spot that’s clean and dry, but not too hot.
We create our personalised boards to enjoy a long and happy life with you. This practical and straight forward advice should enable you to achieve just that.
If you need any specific guidance in caring for our wooden boards, or any other product, please do get in touch. We’d be happy to help you.
Want to browse our range of personalised wooden boards? Click here.
