Cutting board finsh (apologies)

[Ross Hodren]

I know this topic has been covered several times and I have read responses here and on the pond.
My situation is That I made about 6 end grain Rimu (New Zealand timber) cutting boards and finished them all with Olive oil. I did this before I checked on the net first.
I hear you all think mineral oil is best as olive oil turns rancid and I appreciate this. I now have two questions.
How long before olive oiled turns rancid and is there anything I can do about it now? All boards are at family so access is not a problem.
Also the main recomendation is mineral oil, I hate to sound ignorant but where do you guys source your mineral oil?
I am in New Zealand and havent seen it at the supermarket ??

I appreciate your help Ross

[Jim DeLaney]

Mineral oil is actually a petroleum product, and in the USA it's mainly sold as an 'intestinal lubricant' (laxative). It's sold mainly in pharmacies, although many of our supermarkets have a 'patent drug' section and carry it also.

<Center><FONT FACE="Comic Sans MS" COLOR="Blue">Jim D.</FONT></Center>
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[Todd Burch]

I use Norton brand Sharpening Oil. If you read on the can it says "kitchen safe". Behlens also sells "Salad Bowl Finish", which you could probably find at a wood turner's supply house. I would think a large grocery store would probably have a small bottle's worth somewhere on the shelf... but I've never looked there.

You can sand the cutting boards to get the "top layer" of wood off, or you can use naptha or an oil and grease remover. I'd lean towards naptha though, and sand anyway.

Todd.

[Lee Schierer]

To remove the olive oil, I would suggest a good scrubbing or two with a good strong detergent and hot water to remove as much of the olive oil as possible. Then a light sanding to remove some of the surface.

The mineral oil should be appled several times. Heating the wood and applying the oil when it is warm helps it soak in better.

[Bob Reilly]

Try heating the oil in the microwave before you apply it, it will soak in faster.

[Jim Becker]

Heating the mineral oil with paraffin is also a popular method for cutting boards and the like. Apply it hot and when it cools, use a scraper to remove any excess wax.

[Garrett Lambert]

I wouldn't worry about the olive oil. It's going to get used or washed off all by itself.

A cutting board wants an initial finish simply because we expect it to have one, not because it needs one. However, after an initial coating of mineral oil (pharmacy) or beeswax, I fo nothing morel. As noted, any food-safe finish will wear or wash away, but the board will soon develop its own "patina of use" and look just fine.

Cheers, Garrett