How to care for wooden kitchen tools

One of my favorite kitchen items is a hefty Boos cutting board I received as a gift over 15 years ago. It has seen nearly daily use and even, if I’m being honest, some abuse. Despite being in constant use next to my cooktop, it is still going strong while a few plastic cutting boards have come and gone during those same 15 years. I should expect many more years of use from my cutting board according to Eater’s Kat Thompson, who explains that wooden cutting boards, spoons and spatulas, rolling pins, and other wooden kitchen items can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.

The frequency and type of maintenance needed depends on the wood variety, how the tool is made, and even where you live. Items like wooden spoons are usually created from a single piece of wood and are therefore less likely to warp, splinter, or break. Cutting boards, on the other hand, are usually made from strips of wood that are glued together. Because they are made from many pieces, cutting boards are more susceptible to cracking and warping due to humidity and moisture changes in the environment. Therefore they will need more frequent oiling to stay in tip top shape.

The kind of oil or wax used to keep your wooden items looking good and working well is somewhat a matter of choice. Food safe mineral oil is an economical choice, but you can also use plant-based oils such as coconut oil. You may want to consider adding wax to the mix. Items like beeswax or caranuba wax can add an additional layer of protection to heavily used items such as a cutting board. You can think of skincare regiments as a parallel to wooden tool care, says Thompson. “It’s similar to the way a post-shower skin routine works — using a face serum and then topping it off with a moisturizer is a great way to seal in the products and maintain your skin’s water and oil balance,” she explains. I just hope I can keep my board in better condition than my skin.