Wooden cutting boards are the most preferred as they’re gentler on the knife. Wooden chopping boards are heavy-duty, last long, and mildly affect the blade. Its long-lasting feature depends on the maintenance it gets as it sees a lot of pressure from the knife edges.
Oiling the board before use and routinely over time helps prevent splintering and prolong its lifespan. Remember, only food-grade oils are suitable for use on cutting boards as they come in contact with food that can be exposed to toxic substances from oils filled with chemicals.
The type of oil you choose for your cutting board is essential to maintain quality and prevent exposure to toxins. You can choose from various safe options, including mineral oils, beeswax, and coconut oil. There are several brands and products you have to go through to get your preferred choice.
Out Top Recommendation For Cutting Board Oil!
Howard cutting board oil is a safe food-grade oil with thin viscosity, allowing it to penetrate wood deeply. The oil is further stabilized with vitamin E to improve its safety. At the same time, it produces an odorless, tasteless, and colorless finish.
*We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you*
We’ve compiled this guide showing the best oils to make your cutting board oil buying decision seamless. Ultimately, you can decide which type is right for your board and why? Without further ado, let’s see these options.
Best Cutting Board Oils
Instead of wasting resources trying different oil types on your cutting board, you can save yourself from stress by carefully following this curated list from experts. It contains the best cutting board oils, brief descriptions, pros and cons, with where to buy.
- Howard Cutting Board Oil – Best Option
- John Boos MYSB Mystery Oil
- Caron and Doucet Cutting Board Oil
- Thirteen Chefs Food Grade Mineral Oil
- Mevell Cutting Board Oil – Best Value for Money
- Sanco Food-Grade Mineral Oil Spray
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Howard Cutting Board Oil | • Food-grade mineral oil stabilized with vitamin E • Ideal for oiling and seasoning wood • Thin viscosity helps it to penetrate the wood deeply | |
 | John Boos MYSB Mystery Oil | • The pivot spout cap allows for convenient and measured application • It comes in a big 16 oz bottle • You only need a small amount to cover most surfaces | |
 | Caron and Doucet Cutting Board Oil | • It contains no mineral oil • It is 100% plant-based and made from coconut oils and vegan materials • Family satisfaction guarantee or a refund | |
 | Thirteen Chefs Food Grade Mineral Oil | • Easy to apply with its squeezable bottle and push applicator cap • It lasts long on your surfaces • Sports great water-resistant qualities | |
 | Mevell Cutting Board Oil | • Best value for money • It exceeds both NSF and FDA regulations for food-safe oils • Fast absorption rate | |
 | Sanco Food-Grade Mineral Oil Spray | • Easy to apply with the spray cap • Large 16 oz container • It is environmentally safe and can be used to ward off insects |
1. Howard Cutting Board Oil
The Howard cutting board oil tops our list of the best oil for your boards, evident from the number of confirmed purchases in online stores. It is a food-grade mineral oil with colorless and doorless qualities that maintains the wood’s hue and improves its aesthetics. Howard oil is obtained from virgin mineral oil without contact with any nuts.
Its qualities involve rejuvenating dry wood with grain-penetrating oil that will not become rancid. If you’re worried about your board drying and cracking from knife cuts, you’ll be excited to know that this oil can prevent all that. It follows many strict USA quality control measures, including distance from allergenic substances.
It comes in a 12oz bottle which keeps the price affordable. Howard cutting board oil has a thin viscosity, allowing it to penetrate the grains and deliver a clean finish. This food-grade oil is also stabilized with vitamin E for a safer surface.
Pros
- Food-grade mineral oil stabilized with vitamin E
- It won’t spoil after it is opened
- Ideal for oiling and seasoning wood
- Thin viscosity helps it to penetrate the wood deeply
- It is tasteless, odorless, and colorless
Cons
- It may require several coats due to its thin viscosity.
2. John Boos MYSB Mystery Oil
Here is a premium cutting board oil from John Boos in a 16oz bottle. The oil is highly dependable and durable; however, it must be applied at least every month to renew its protection. You may need to use the oil more frequently if you live in dry areas or the board is still new, as it dries quickly. It is safe on chopping boards and will help maintain and preserve your surfaces.
One of the most unique features of this oil is the pivot spout cap that makes for convenient usage. The lid makes for measured application with a smaller outlet. Coating your cutting board with John Woos revitalizes the wood preventing bleaching and cracks. It is another highly sought-after board oil with a lot of confirmed buyers.
John Boos is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) as safe for use on food preparation surfaces. You don’t need experience to use this oil; it only takes a few minutes to penetrate the grain.
Pros
- The pivot spout cap allows for convenient and measured application
- Certified as safe on food processing surfaces by the NSF
- It comes in a big 16 oz bottle
- You only need a small amount to cover most surfaces
Cons
- It requires frequent application
- It is expensive
3. Caron And Doucet Cutting Board Oil
The Caron and Doucet cutting board oil is derived 100% from coconut and vegan materials to make a food-safe finish on chopping and butcher blocks. It is entirely plant-based and does not contain mineral oils. Like most coconut oil, it will go rancid when exposed to air; however, the product is highly refined to increase its shelf life.
This coconut oil features an added lemon oil essence for its antibacterial qualities that prevent the growth of bacteria on the chopping board’s surface. Caron and Doucet’s oil is ideal for hydrating the board and preventing drying, which is among the leading causes of cracking. The oil is also suitable for conditioning the chopping block.
Using this product will extend the lifespan of your board and allow its color to pop naturally. While thick, Caron and Doucet’s oil will not leave residue behind or be sticky. Its combination of proprietary light essential oils eliminates odors and prevents their transfer to the food chopped on the board. Cleaning this board is also easy since the oil prevents food from sticking to the surface.
There’s also a full 100% satisfaction guarantee or a refund policy to show you the trust this family-owned business has in its product. The oil comes in a compact 8 oz bottle.
Pros
- It contains no mineral oil
- It is 100% plant-based and made from coconut oils and vegan materials
- It eliminates odor
- Family satisfaction is guaranteed, or a refund
- It is ideal for hydrating and conditioning
- It extends the lifespan and improves the board’s look
- Thick but does not leave a sticky residue
Cons
- Coconut oil shelf life is lower than most other oil types
- The small bottle will require frequent replacement trips
- It features a limited ingredient list on the bottle
4. Thirteen Chefs Food Grade Mineral Oil
Arguably the most popular on this list, with dozens of thousands of purchases on Amazon alone, this cutting board oil made by Thirteen Chefs, is among our best picks. This product must be doing something right with its exceptional customer satisfaction rate. The oil features a push applicator cap with a squeezing mechanism for a convenient application.
Thirteen Chefs mineral oil is food-grade and versatile, making it suitable for wooden surfaces. It is made in the USA and is FDA certified as food safe. As a mineral oil, it sports an extensive shelf life and will not go rancid over time.
It comes in various sizes; however, the standard size is 12 oz. The most prevalent features of this oil include being easy to spread, use, and dispense out of the bottle and offering great value for money. Thirteen Chefs mineral oil can also be used on stainless steel like your knives, proving its increased value.
Pros
- Easy to apply with its squeezable bottle and push applicator cap
- It lasts long on your surfaces
- Sports great water-resistant qualities
- Food-grade oil certified by the FDA
- It is excellent for restoring surfaces and preventing damage
Cons
- Poor packaging may sometimes come with a leaking cap.
5. Mevell Cutting Board Oil
Here is an affordable 15 oz chopping board oil made in Canada by Mevell. It is manufactured under strict safety laws and does not come in contact with possibly allergenic substances—the oil work best when you finish the surface with Mevell’s natural beeswax conditioner.
Its usage is versatile across different materials in the kitchen, including wooden chopping boards and plywood countertops, and other countertops made of stone and marble. That’s not all; this oil can be used on stainless steel like spoons and knives.
Mevell board oil has a low viscosity rating, making penetrating and sealing the wood easier. The low viscosity produces twice as much adsorption as the average cutting board oil. It also prevents the absorption of unwanted liquid while preventing cracks and drying. It is well above FDA and NSF standards for food-grade oils as it is made of 100% mineral oil.
Pros
- It’s versatile and can be used on wood, marble, stone, and stainless steel.
- It exceeds both NSF and FDA regulations for food-safe oils
- Fast absorption rate
- Large bottle size offers more quantity
Cons
- It may require frequent reapplication.
6. Sanco Food-Grade Mineral Oil Spray
Cutting board oils can also come in spray bottles, as Sanco oil has shown with its easy-to-apply mechanism, making it a suitable option for a quick application. It comes in a 16 oz container to use the oil for longer. This food-grade mineral oil has passed NSF regulations making it ideal for your cutting board surfaces and even as a stainless steel cleaner.
As with other mineral oils, Sanco oil will not go bad on exposure to air. Sanco oil is made in the USA and is cost-effective. The oil is colorless and odorless and prevents the absorption of food odors. Its 100% food-grade spray oil is also USP certified.
Sanco spray cutting board oil prevents wood from drying and cracking. The bottle has a regular cap that you can replace with a spray cover during application. The sprayer is included in the package at no additional cost. It can also be used to ward off insects around the home, as it is environmentally safe.
Pros
- Prevents drying and cracking of chopping board
- It seals out moisture and odors
- It is environmentally safe and can be used to ward off insects
- Made in the USA and certified by USP and NSF
- Easy to apply with the spray cap
- Large 16 oz container
Cons
- It is not affordable
- It lacks an ingredient list
How to Choose a Cutting Board Oil: Buyers Guide
You can make your own buying decision if you know what to check. Follow these factors to understand how to buy a suitable cutting board oil from the wide range of options.
1. Oil Type
Different wood oil types are available, but not all are suitable for your cutting board. Even among the appropriate options, a variety exists between their features, so you want to select the choice that best suits your needs. You must use food-grade oils with mineral oil, beeswax, and coconut oil, among the most suitable.
Tung, linseed, and walnut oil are options you should consider carefully before using. It is best to avoid natural oils like corn, peanut, and vegetable oil as they oxidize and go rancid on exposure to air.
2. Check For Contact With Allergens
You want to avoid using oils that have come in contact with allergens, especially if anybody in your family has food allergies. Check the pack and choose the oil that is free from potential allergens. Considering the chopping board will contact your food, you should ensure it is not coated with possible hazards.
3. Quantity
You should consider the amount of the oil, often indicated in ounces on the bottle. Larger quantities will typically last for longer, saving you a lot of stress in the process.
4. Applicator Type
It’s usually the cap and area from which the oil leaves the bottle. It affects the ease of application and the chances of spilling oil all over your kitchen. These oils come with different caps, all having their unique working mechanisms. Some options, like the push applicator, pivot spout cap, and sprayer, are easier to use. In contrast, others with regular covers may lead to spillage or wastage.
5. Viscosity
The oil’s viscosity may be thick or thin, with thin consistency penetrating the grain quickly. It means the oil can easily seal the surface. However, the protection may only last for a short time and will require frequent application. On the other hand, oils with thick viscosities may be harder to apply but last longer on the board’s surface.
6. Price
Price will always be considered when purchasing, especially under a strict budget. Price will typically go with the size of the oil. You want to select the option within your budget while ensuring you get the best value for money. The bottle size and the oil’s lasting capacity affect the value of the chopping board oil.
Conclusion
Chopping board oil seals the surface, preventing moisture and odor absorption while being odorless, colorless, and tasteless. There are many in the market which can make a challenging decision. You can choose from the best cutting board oil list or follow the buyer’s guide factors to make your informed choice.
By
