Q: How do I maintain my cutting board?

A. Wooden cutting boards are a kitchen essential, beloved for their durability, natural beauty, and ability to protect knives. However, to keep your wooden cutting board in top condition, proper care and maintenance are essential. With the right techniques, you can extend the life of your cutting board and ensure it remains a safe and functional tool in your kitchen. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to care for and maintain your wooden cutting boards. Clean Immediately After Use

After each use, it’s important to clean your wooden cutting board promptly. This prevents food particles and juices from soaking into the wood, which can lead to stains, odors, and bacterial growth. To clean your board:

• Hand wash only: Never put your wooden cutting board in the dishwasher. The intense heat and prolonged exposure to water can cause the wood to warp and crack.
• Use mild soap: Wash the board with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap. Avoid using harsh chemicals or bleach, which can damage the wood.
• Scrub gently: Use a soft sponge or brush to scrub the surface of the board. Pay extra attention to any grooves or cuts where food particles might be trapped.
• Rinse thoroughly: Make sure to rinse off all the soap to avoid any residue being left on the board.

Dry Immediately

After washing, it’s crucial to dry your wooden cutting board immediately to prevent water from seeping into the wood. Waterlogged wood can lead to warping, cracking, and even mold growth. Follow these steps:

• Pat dry: Use a clean, dry cloth or paper towel to pat your board dry.
• Air dry upright: Stand the board on its side to allow air to circulate around it, ensuring that both sides dry evenly.

Disinfect Naturally

Wooden cutting boards are naturally antibacterial, but it’s still a good idea to disinfect them regularly, especially after cutting raw meat, poultry, or fish. You can disinfect your board naturally using the following methods:

• Vinegar solution: Wipe down the board with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. This helps to kill bacteria and neutralize odors.
• Lemon and salt: Sprinkle coarse salt over the board, then rub it with half a lemon, cut side down. The salt acts as an abrasive to remove stains, while the lemon juice disinfects and leaves a fresh scent.

Condition Regularly

Wooden cutting boards need to be conditioned regularly to prevent the wood from drying out and cracking. Conditioning helps to maintain the board’s luster and provides a protective barrier against moisture. Here’s how to do it:

• Choose the right oil: Use food-grade mineral oil or a specialized cutting board oil. Avoid using cooking oils like olive or vegetable oil, as they can go rancid over time.
• Apply the oil: Pour a small amount of oil onto the surface of the board and use a clean cloth to rub it in. Be sure to cover all surfaces, including the edges.
• Let it soak in: Allow the oil to soak into the wood for several hours or overnight. This will help the wood absorb the oil deeply, providing long-lasting protection.
• Wipe off excess: After the oil has soaked in, wipe off any excess with a clean cloth. Repeat this process once a month or more often if your board is used frequently.

Remove Stains and Odors

Over time, wooden cutting boards can develop stains and odors from foods like garlic, onions, and beets. To remove these:

• Baking soda paste: Make a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to the stained area, and scrub gently with a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry as above.
• Vinegar rinse: For persistent odors, wipe the board with white vinegar, then rinse and pat dry.

Avoid Excessive Moisture

Moisture is the enemy of wooden cutting boards. To keep your board in good condition, follow these tips:

• Avoid soaking: Never soak your cutting board in water. Prolonged exposure to water can cause the wood to swell, warp, and crack.
• Control humidity: Store your board in a dry place, away from sinks, dishwashers, and humid environments.

Resurface When Necessary

Over time, your wooden cutting board may develop deep cuts, scratches, or grooves that can harbor bacteria. If this happens, it’s time to resurface the board:

• Sand the surface: Use fine-grit sandpaper to gently sand down the surface of the board, removing any rough spots or deep cuts. Sand in the direction of the wood grain for the best results.
• Recondition the board: After sanding, clean the board thoroughly and apply a generous amount of oil to recondition the wood.

Store Properly

Proper storage is key to maintaining the longevity of your wooden cutting board:

• Store vertically: Store your cutting board upright, rather than flat, to allow air to circulate around it. This prevents moisture buildup and helps the board dry completely.
• Avoid stacking: Don’t stack heavy items on top of your cutting board, as this can cause warping or damage over time.

A well-cared-for wooden cutting board can last for years, providing a reliable and attractive surface for all your culinary creations. By following these care and maintenance tips, you can keep your cutting board in excellent condition, ensuring it remains a safe, durable, and beautiful part of your kitchen.

Q: What species of wood do you use in your cutting boards? How about your other creations?

A: My cutting boards and other creations are constructed using quality hardwoods, primarily from the Midwest- and many right here in Iowa. Walnut, Hard Maple, and Cherry are used primarily. Exotic food-safe woods from around the world are sometimes used for color and woodgrain that complement the primary woods. Sometimes, if I am making a piece that does not require food safety, I will use another species of hardwood altogether. You can see in …… I have used the…… species to create the entire item.

Q: How long should cutting boards last?

A: My premium wooden cutting boards are constructed using quality hardwoods primarily native to the Midwest. Walnut, Maple, and Cherry. Exotic food safe woods from around the world as sometimes used for color and woodgrain that complement the primary woods

Day to day cutting board maintenance is straightforward — clean it as soon as you’re done, and be mindful of the food items that are cut on them. However, you would want to be much more thorough in your maintenance, especially when purchasing an expensive wooden cutting board made from premium products like cherrywood, Maplewood, and walnut.

Q: What Is the Average Lifespan of a Wood Board?

A: When properly taken care of, the premium wooden cutting board can last between five and ten years.

Q: Do you offer custom engraving? My Family Name or a Symbol?

Q: Food Safety?

Cherry Cutting Boards

Up to 2″ Inches Thick |  30-Day Guarantee | Free Shipping

Our face-grain, custom cherry wood cutting boards  beautifully accent a kitchen with rich color. Offering a handful of different sizes ands tons of options for customization, see why customers love their MHW custom wood cutting boards. We also offer products including maple cutting boards, walnut cutting boards, as well as provide the ability to custom build any variety you request.

Using Food Safe Woods and Glues and Finishes

A naturally derived wood finish is best. You do not want a varnish or another sealant that might peel, flake, or crack and end up on your eating surface. Here are my recommendations:

*Osmo Top Oil– This is the product used to finish eating surfaces. It is made from plant-based oils and waxes. It is made in Europe and conforms to EU requirements for safety.

*Raw Linseed Oil– This oil comes from flax seeds. It gives wood surfaces a nice sheen, but it has a long curing time and requires frequent reapplication. DO NOT use boiled linseed oil as it has additives that are not food-safe.

*Food Grade Mineral Oil: We don’t usually love petrochemicals but mineral oil is a common choice for conditioning cutting boards and other wood food preparation surfaces.. It is highly purified and inert which means it is very bland. It is inexpensive and easy to find. But make sure it is food grade.

*Beeswax: Mixed with other food-safe oils beeswax creates a more water-resistant finish. It has an unpleasant smell while it is drying, but it is an all-favorite.

*Carnauba Wax: Sometimes called Brazil wax, you can use it on its own to create a water-resistant wood finish.

This particular style cutting board was made primarily with maple wood, with 5 stripes across the top consisting of alternating lacewood and walnut wood. 

The woods are fused using FDA-approved, waterproof glue.  Our food-safe boards are finished with a proprietary blend of food-grade mineral oil, beeswax, carnauba wax, and coconut oil. The colors of the wood you see are the natural colors of each wood, we do not use any stains or dyes. This cutting board is also equipped with four rubber feet to add protection and durability and serve as a non-slip working surface being lifted off of the counter.

Please note that all items are completely handmade, therefore the actual item received may vary slightly in the appearance of the grain and color tone with the woods shown in the photos.

, with other sometimes exotic species added for complement or a color splash of color that simply makes the board look complete. I strive to make cutting and charcuterie boards that serve as beautiful creations an

Maple, Walnut, and Cherry are my food-safe go-to Midwest hardwoods

also as a functional piece of art for your kitchen or as a gift for a friend. I strive for unique design, high quality, and high functionality as well.

Invest In Quality

• All of our face-grain cherrywood, maple, and walnut boards are locally and ethically sourced with domestic hardwoods
• Quality construction equals longevity and reduces warpage and cracking
• Our boards are constructed using waterproof glues
• All of our products are proudly built in Iowa City, Iowa
• All boards are oiled and ready for use with a food-safe mineral oil
• Precision milled, assembled, and glued by using best practice techniques
• Optional engraving is performed via precision laser for accuracy.

Food Safe Waterproof Glues and Food Safe Finishes are used for your safety.