Product Care - Do's & Don'ts
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So what do you need to have and what do you need to do?
It's simple.
Here is what you need to have:
- 1. food grade mineral oil, butcher block conditioner or beeswax - just one, not all three. I prefer the mineral oil - namely the Howard brand. (Available at amazon - linked HERE.)
- lint free cloth
- fine grit sanding sponge - 220 grit at a minimum (Home Depot or Lowes - linked HERE.)
Here is what you need to do:
- 1. Oil the board or susan before using it to serve food.
- 2. When you're done serving, wipe it clean with a hot, damp rag.
- 3. Allow it to completely dry.
- 4. Oil the board or susan again before putting it away.
DONE.
Here are more details about the process, but it really is as simple as described above. Sticking with those basics are what is most important.
Deep Dive into care:
Before each use...
Apply a small amount of oil to the entire surface of the board using the lint free cloth. Give it a few minutes to absorb and then fill the board or susan up with all your favorite foods.
After...
When the eating and feasting is completed, wipe the board down with a hot cloth. If there is still drips or food stuck to the board, use a sudsy (hot water and a couple drops of dish soap all mixed in the cloth leaving it drippy and foamy) cloth removing all food particles and residue and then wipe with a damp, clean cloth. Allow all the board time to dry completely and then apply another coat of oil to the entire surface before putting it away.
*Wiping boards with wet cloths can raise the wood grain and once it dries, it can cause the board to feel rough. If that happens, rub oil on the surface and then rub the board with the fine grit sponge. Then wipe the board with the oily cloth again.*
Do not...
Please DO NOT soak the board or lazy susan in water for any reason.
Please DO NOT ever run any boards or susans in the dishwasher.
Maintenance Hack...
Use the same lint free cloth to oil your board or susan over and over. No need to wash it. Just keep it, along with the sanding sponge, in a ziploc baggie in a kitchen drawer. It will aways be there when you need it, oiled and ready to go. You will need more oil each use, so keep that in a handy place as well.
Deep Cleansing...
After many uses, you may find yourself wanting to give your board a deep cleansing. This can freshen up any icky cheese scents, as well as lighten up any stains from red berries (strawberries / raspberries) which can happen over time.
You will need:
- Coarse Salt
- One lemon, halved
- 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda
Simply use the halves of a lemon (cut side down) to scrub coarse salt into the board surface. Then sprinkle baking soda over the board and continue scrubbing. Wipe away all the remnants on the board with a clean, wet cloth. Allow time to dry completely and oil the entire board. Sponge if needed.
Summary...
Wooden boards and lazy susans really are simple to care when you use the right tools for the job.
The important thing to remember is to keep them oiled.
Even if you are not using them for food often, they still need routine oiling. This keeps the wood hydrated and prevents any type of cracking. If its been a while, just wipe them down with oil.