Food safe oil for wood

[YetiDave]

Hi guys, just wanted a bit of advice - I've got a cleaver with an untreated wooden handle and whilst I do take very good care of my knives, I would like some extra protection for it. So I'm wondering what kind of oil I could treat it with? I know boiled walnut oil has been mentioned a lot, particularly in relation to the cutting board thread, but I just can't seem to find it over here. Any other options?

[jpakstis]

I use mineral oil for my cutting board, per the instructions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_oil

There is a section for "food preparation" in the above-link. Although I don't think the last line of that section has anything to do with food preparation.

[Acmemfg]

Can't go wrong with mineral oil. Word has it that almond oil will work well also

[mmack66]

+1 on the mineral oil. I use it for knife handles as well as wood spoons.

[john shea]

Mineral oil because it does not go rancid and is food safe. Also consider a soft mixture of bee's wax and mineral oil for knife handles. Melt a small quantity of bee's wax into mineral oil that has been lightly heated in a double boiler pan to prevent over heating, mix, and let cool. Mixture should have the consistency of a soft paste wax when fully cooled and solidified. If too soft, reheat and add more wax. If too hard, reheat and add more oil. I keep mine in a pyrex glass dish with a snap on plastic cover. Lasts a long time.

[BrewCommando]

I sand our wooden cutting board every few months and use mineral oil afterwards. Works a treat, brings out the natural color of the wood and hasn't killed anyone yet.

[YetiDave]

Mineral oil it is, cheers!

[stobes21]

Mineral oil is the way to go if you want an oil. But if you want a non-oil or film type food safe finish shellac is a good choice. And they sell a product called Salad Bowl Finish that is a type of food safe varnish. Both will dry hard and be more abrasion and water resistant than an oil finish.

[Talal]

i personally use coconut oil on my boards and have great success for years. as it is anti fungal, bacterial and viral