5 Best Oils For Cutting Boards Of 2023
Wooding cutting boards are a gorgeous addition to any kitchen. Many of us love to use them because they look so nice but they are also heavy-duty and can last a really long time.
Additionally, wood is one of the best materials for most types of knives as it tends to be more gentle on your knife blades in general.
Wooden cutting boards do require some amount of care to keep in the best shape. Wooden cutting boards should be oiled before you use them and then routinely to keep them in their best shape. Oil helps to protect the boards from splintering and splitting or warping with use.
What is the best oil for cutting boards? We recommend a food-safe mineral oil, but there are several options you can choose from. You can also use wax for maintaining your cutting board instead of oil.
In this guide, we will share with you the 5 best oils for cutting boards. We’ve sorted through the market and narrowed down the options to our top 5 picks. We have full reviews of each of our top picks for you!
Stick with us to learn about the 5 best oils for cutting boards.
The 5 Best Oils for Cutting Boards Reviewed
You will notice that not every option we share is an oil but the concept is the same. Each of these options is the very best for maintaining your wooden cutting board.
We will share these reviews starting with our top pick. Every review will contain a detailed description and review as well as a list of pros and cons for you.
| Rank | Recommended Product | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Howard Products Cutting Board Oil | Pure food-grade mineral oil |
| 2. | Caron & Doucet Cutting Board Oil | Hydrating and conditioning |
| 3. | Howard Products Food-Grade Wax | Spreads smooth and easily |
| 4. | Sanco Premium Food-Grade Mineral Oil Spray | Comes in a spray bottle |
| 5. | The Bearded Chef Wood Butter | Made in the USA by a veteran |
1. Howard Products Cutting Board Oil
Let’s start off with one of the most highly-rated mineral cutting board oils on the market.
This option is 5-stars across the board and it is amazing for cutting boards. It is a food-grade mineral oil that was specifically designed for cutting boards.
This company also has cleaning oils and conditioners and cloths that you can use if you would like.
This oil is 100% pure food-grade mineral oil. It won’t go bad when you open it. It is colorless, odorless, and flavorless as well.
It works to moisturize your wood, penetrating into the wood pores to restore natural color and protect and rejuvenate your wooden cutting board.
The oil will help to prevent drying and cracking. This is great for seasoning cutting boards and maintaining them after as well.
Howard Products are made in the USA and the company follows strict quality control guidelines as well.
Pros:
- Pure food-grade mineral oil
- No odor, taste, or color
- Repairs and protects wood
- Made in the USA
- Highly-rated product
Cons:
- This oil is fairly thin so you may need to use more than you anticipate to get the job done
2. Caron & Doucet Cutting Board Oil
Next on our list is an oil that was designed for cutting boards and butcher blocks but is wholly mineral-oil free.
If you’re not a fan of using mineral oil, this may be a great option for you. This oil is perfect for both wood and bamboo conditioning and oiling purposes.
This option is 100% plant-based, an all-natural product. It was specifically designed for cutting boards to extend their life and also enhance the color of the wood in a natural way. It is another highly-rated option for the cause. It penetrates deep into the wood.
This oil can help reduce odors and stains. It is thick without being sticky or leaving a residue behind.
This is made with tree nut, primarily coconut, and does not have mineral oil. It is backed with a guarantee from the family that produces the oil. 100% satisfaction or a full refund.
Pros:
- Family satisfaction guarantee
- Mineral-oil free options
- Hydrating and conditioning
- Penetrates deep into wood
- Does not leave a sticky residue
Cons:
- This container is pretty small so it won’t go far
- The bottle does not contain an ingredient list so you only know coconut oil
3. Howard Products Food-Grade Wax
We like the Howard oil so much we had to take a look at their wax too!
This wax is designed to help make your board waterproof, while also providing natural hydration to the wood.
This wax is perfect for wood cutting boards but can also be used on other surfaces as well.
It is a combination of beeswax, carnauba wax, and food-grade mineral oil. The wax creates a protective layer over the surface of your cutting board.
This product is very easy to use. It has just the right consistency to rub easily over the board. You simply rub it in, let it absorb, and then buff away excess wax from the board. Your board will have a smooth feel and come out soft as well.
This is made in the USA.
Pros:
- Highly-rated beeswax blend
- Made in the USA
- All materials are food-grade
- Suitable for various surfaces
- Perfect consistency to spread smooth and easily
Cons:
- Includes mineral oil which makes this softer and oily than typical wax
4. Sanco Premium Food-Grade Mineral Oil Spray
This mineral oil comes in spray form, which makes it even easier to use and get the job done! You get a full pint bottle and the mineral spray in the bottle as well. This is a premium spray but it comes at a reasonable price. It is also food-grade mineral oil so perfectly safe for your cutting board.
This oil is colorless and odorless. It will help to keep your board clean and sanitized while also protecting it from drying and cracking over time. Since it comes with a spray bottle, it makes it easy to use and apply when needed.
Of course, this can be used on other surfaces as well and it is harmless. It is pure food-grade and is NSF-certified as well. This product is made in the USA. It is considered to be bee-friendly and environmentally-safe to use as well.
Pros:
- Food-safe mineral oil
- Pure with no added ingredients
- Environmentally-safe to use
- Colorless and odorless
- Comes in a spray bottle
Cons:
- Many are confused by the lack of an ingredient list. This is 100% pure mineral oil
- The spray nozzle doesn’t always work great
5. The Bearded Chef Wood Butter
Finally, we bring to you a wood butter which is pretty similar to a wax but maybe a little more smooth or thin than most wax options.
This is from the company called “It’s All About the Wood”. It is a company owned by a veteran and made in the USA with top-notch quality control standards.
This butter is made using food-grade mineral oil combined with beeswax. It is smooth and hydrating. The mineral oil helps to make it easier to spread over the board and work into it and provides some additional benefits as well.
The overall design of this wood butter is to help prevent bacteria on the surface using natural products. It also hydrates, rejuvenates, and protects the wood of your cutting board. Your color will be brilliant and your wood will be strong and healthy.
Pros:
- Made in the USA by a veteran
- Smooth and simple to use
- Made with food-grade mineral oil and beeswax
- Restores and protects wood
- Will kill and prevent bacteria on the surface
Cons:
- There are additional ingredients on the label here to be aware of
- Tends to leave behind a greasy residue
Understanding Your Options for Cutting Board Oils
To take care of your cutting board, you do not always have to use oil. Mineral oil is certainly one of the best options out there. You definitely want to make sure you are using a food-grade and food-safe item. Always check the labels for this information.
Here are some additional options you can check out for maintaining and caring for your wooden cutting board:
- Food-safe mineral oil
- Beeswax
- Pure or refractioned coconut oil
- Carnauba
- Baking soda
- Lemon juice
- Certain creams made for cutting boards
Related Questions
We hope that you find this guide to the best cutting board oils to be a valuable resource. There are many options you can choose from and we’ve narrowed it down to some of the best but with the idea of still offering you some variety.
We invite you to check out our question and answer section for some additional information as well.
Can I Clean My Cutting Board with Bleach?
We don’t recommend ever using bleach on a wood cutting board. If you do use a bleach product, be sure the bleach is heavily diluted. The bleach could soak into the wood and negatively affect your foods and your health.
How Do You Sanitize a Wooden Cutting Board?
Preparing your cutting board with the appropriate protective layer like oil or wax is the best way to keep it clean. This provides a layer that prevents bacteria from soaking into the wood. Then you can clean it as needed without worry.
Up Next: The 7 Best Cutting Boards For Knives
