Do you put laxatives on your cutting board, or wood oil?

[preslove]

So, I've seen on the internet that some people treat their cutting boards & wooden bowls with mineral oil from CVS/Walgreens that's sold as a laxative. I've thought about going that route, especially because I now have 4 wood cutting boards of varying sizes. But, the amazon reviews for some wood oils say that they're much better than just straight mineral oil.

So, what do you guys use?

This? http://www.amazon.com/Howard-BBC012-...cr_dp_asin_lnk


Or something like this? http://www.cvs.com/shop/product-detail/CVS-Mineral-Oil-USP-Lubricant-Laxative?skuId=232891

 

[jaedaliu]

I think the difference is that the butcher block conditioner has wax added.

They're both fine.

I don't condition mine at all. I should probably start.

 

[NetWareHead]

The Howards oil is slightly better but still has mineral oil in it. it has waxes in it for additional protection.

That being said, if I had your run of the mill wood cutting board that cost me $10 or so, I wouldnt even bother. or you can use straight veggie oil or olive oil. I oil up the board and then leave it for 1-2 days. The board will drink in the oil.

If I had an expensive end grain cutting board or more expensive butcher block, I'd get the Howards and take good care of it.

I once used my cutting board to slice up a package of ex-lax chocolates but it didn't have the absorption into the wood I was hoping for.

 

[Strk]

polypropylene so I can just stick it in the dishwasher

 

[WHAMPOM]

So, I've seen on the internet that some people treat their cutting boards & wooden bowls with mineral oil from CVS/Walgreens that's sold as a laxative. I've thought about going that route, especially because I now have 4 wood cutting boards of varying sizes. But, the amazon reviews for some wood oils say that they're much better than just straight mineral oil.

So, what do you guys use?

This? http://www.amazon.com/Howard-BBC012-...cr_dp_asin_lnk


Or something like this? http://www.cvs.com/shop/product-detail/CVS-Mineral-Oil-USP-Lubricant-Laxative?skuId=232891

Are you getting off on the fact that mineral oil is a laxative? That is just one use of many. Preserving wooden cutting boards is one also. Or should I have called it a woody cutting board?

 

[Jimzz]

yea the laxative oil is just cheaper, no different then the mineral wood oil. Its what I bought and use on our cutting boards.

 

[OutHouse]

if used for food prep you should only use olive oil.

 

[BoomerD]

I think just about any oil, if ingested in large enough quantities, can have some laxative effects...not just mineral oil.

We've always used olive oil on our cutting boards.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

if used for food prep you should only use olive oil.

This is false. The reason you use mineral oil is because food oils will eventually go rancid. They also get sticky.

 

[OutHouse]

This is false. The reason you use mineral oil is because food oils will eventually go rancid. They also get sticky.

compared to putting a distilled petroleum product on your food surface? ill take the olive oil.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Food safety folks recommend mineral oil. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/cutting-boards-and-food-safety/ct_index
Personally, I've never oiled cutting boards or butcher blocks or bakers tables. They get grey from bleaching. Once in a great while I might take a plane to a table to smooth things out but, I only care about clean and utility. I don't give a damn how pretty my kitchen is.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

compared to putting a distilled petroleum product on your food surface? ill take the olive oil.

Olive and vegetable oil should be avoided because it has a tendency to go rancid relatively quickly. There are "natural" alternatives to mineral oil, which is ultimately a product of plants, just like vegetable oil and olive oil are. You can also use tung oil, walnut oil, or coconut oil. Each of those has their own drawbacks (don't use walnut oil if prepping food for people with nut allergies) and, honestly, mineral oil is the safest and cheapest.

I do a 3-step process @ once a month to condition my cutting board.

1. Rub it down with a coat of distilled white vinegar. The acidity will eliminate just about any bacteria that might be lurking in the wood grain.

2. Give it a good coat of food grade mineral oil and allow it to soak in for a few hours,

3. Rub it down with a disc of beeswax, which helps to protect the absorbed mineral oil and is an extra layer of protection from moisture.

 

[Ruptga]

compared to putting a distilled petroleum product on your food surface? ill take the olive oil.

Have you heard of the great DiHydrogen Monoxide menace? It's dangerous in both solid and gaseous form, but the "experts" insist it's safe for household use.

 

[NetWareHead]

compared to putting a distilled petroleum product on your food surface? ill take the olive oil.

The same distilled petroleum product is also recommended for consumption as a laxative. It is also the main component in baby oil and many other cosmetics etc.. In short, it wont kill/hurt you (unless you ingest alot of it and get severe diarrhea). Its just a hydrocarbon (just like olive oil) from a non vegetable (mineral) source.