How to treat a wooden cutting board: coating materials and features of their use

There is a cutting board in any kitchen, and wood products have the most presentable and reliable appearance. Such boards are made from solid pieces of wood, cross cuts, small glued blocks or plywood: the latter option is the most inexpensive, but has a shorter service life.

Regardless of the manufacturing technology, the question remains relevant: how to treat a wooden cutting board so that it does not become unusable? Only special impregnations will help prevent cracking of utensils and the colonization of fungus and mold in the wood.

Why is processing needed?

Any production technology involves processing a cutting board. Every day the product is scratched with a knife or hammer. The wood is saturated with moisture, juices of berries and fruits.

Processing prevents:

• absorption of foreign wood odors;
• prevention of mechanical stress, chips, cracks;
• the appearance of bacteria from food debris;
• ingress of toxins into products;
• getting wet and swelling.

A new board must be washed in warm water, dried and oiled. The average service life of an item is up to 1 year. But with regular impregnation, it will last much longer, which will avoid unnecessary costs.

Turning a cutting board into an eye-catching decor

Inspired by the ideas in our gallery, you can create a product that will turn from ordinary household utensils into original decor for your kitchen. Such an expressive and functional piece of furniture will be a spectacular gift that no housewife will remain indifferent to.

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Almost every kitchen has a cutting board, and more than one. In order for a culinary attribute to serve for a long time, it needs care, and this does not only mean timely washing and drying. To process boards you need to purchase oil - regular impregnation guarantees their durability, strength and never-ending quality.

Only special oils are suitable for processing products: olive and sunflower will not do any good.

In the same way, vinegar, soda and other disinfectants (they have their own function) will not be useful for wood.

How to choose the right board material

Products are made from various materials:

• made of plywood - the most inexpensive and short-lived option (needs more careful maintenance);
• made of oak, pine, beech.

The coating of the tree depends on the type of wood.
When used correctly, any oil is suitable for impregnation. However, there are several recommendations in this matter:

• pine appliances containing linseed or nut oil will begin to emit an unpleasant odor after a while;
• it is advisable to purchase the same oil recommended by the manufacturer;
• mineral can be bought at a hardware store. If there is no such thing nearby, you can buy Vaseline at the pharmacy;
• oak objects are opened with a mixture of wax and mineral composition. The tree will absorb the required volume;
• For the end product, one tablespoon is enough.

What is mineral oil

Mineral oil is crude oil or is produced from industrial crops. The following types of oils are used to impregnate wooden products:

• coconut;
• linen;
• woody;
• consisting of several ingredients;
• mineral.

Mineral oil, which is a product of petroleum refining, is used to treat wooden cutting boards. The synthetic product is absolutely safe, therefore it is used in cosmetology, medicines, and the food industry. Mineral oil is available as edible or non-edible. For wooden utensils, including cutting boards, a food safe product is suitable.

The oil is very popular due to several positive characteristics:

• high level of protection;
• lack of smell and taste;
• ease of application;
• environmental Safety;
• quick drying;
• combination with other coatings;
• lack of color unless it contains special additives.

Oil not only prevents rapid wear and tear of the product, but also gives it shine and a pleasant appearance.

Types of funds and selection rules

They are usually coated with synthetic and natural compositions. The only condition is the absence of toxic elements. The oil must withstand the high temperature of the water and not spoil.

Tips for choosing:

• thin plywood appliances are treated with natural impregnation;
• not all mineral compositions are suitable for the food industry;
• It is not advisable to treat pine accessories with flax composition due to the incompatibility of the materials.

Vegetable oils

Mainly treated with this oil:

• sunflower;
• olive;
• nutty;
• linen;
• sesame

It is worth noting that such compositions, without mixing with preservatives, deteriorate and a rancid taste and smell appear. The reason is the increased production of butyric acid bacteria. Some tips:

• plant compositions take a long time to dry;
• You should not use the product for 3 days after impregnation;
• can be replaced with drying oil to dry faster. Typically the products are not very durable.

Mineral oils

The best composition is mineral. Has a number of advantages:

• has no taste or smell;
• sold in any pharmacy and specialized kitchenware store;
• ability to absorb large volumes;
• reliable protection;
• giving a more aesthetic appearance;
• lack of color.

Popular mineral oils

The most popular compositions:

• “Hard Top Oil – 265” is an Italian product that is safe for health, durable and wear-resistant. Also applies to knife handles, weapon butts;
• “RuChet – 100” is an inexpensive Russian product that prevents the appearance of fungus, bacteria, and moisture. Knives can be lubricated;
• "Belinka - 135" - penetrates deeply into pores and gives a beautiful shine. Does not require frequent use.

Beeswax

Beeswax is a natural sealant.
Wax is a natural sealant that has an antiseptic and antifungal effect. You can use it alone or mix it with oil. This clogs large pores.

Wax creates a very strong protective layer. Its properties are superior to oil. It is able to completely cover all cracks and cracks.

Other means

There are 3 more oils for impregnation:

• coconut;
• cocoa;
• Vaseline.

The first 2 products have a high cost. The latter composition is inexpensive and can be bought at a pharmacy.

Final processing of wood with oil.

Are other finishing compounds hazardous to health?

This question still causes heated debate, despite the fact that clear and authoritative answers have long been given to it. To finish wood products in contact with food, you can use any finishing compositions, including oil-based, polyurethane and nitrocellulose varnishes, shellac coatings and linseed oil. These materials are completely harmless to health, but only after complete drying. This is a very important point!

Before you start using any kitchen board that you decide to paint with one of these compounds, you need to make sure that the coating is completely cured. Remember that the presence of a surface film does not mean that the composition has completely dried inside the wood.

How to properly impregnate

The product can be processed without much effort. Step-by-step instruction:

1. The new board is covered with 3 layers. After each opening, wait until it is completely absorbed.
2. Dry in a room with good ventilation.
3. The old device must be sanded with sandpaper before processing.
4. Dry from moisture.
5. Using a napkin, apply the composition over the entire area and sides.
6. Leave for 20 minutes.
7. Wipe off the remains.
8. Repeat after 12 hours.
9. The procedure is done three times.

Vaseline and wax coating method:

1. Heat the Vaseline composition.
2. Place pieces of natural wax in it; there should be 4 times more Vaseline.
3. Cool the mixture.
4. Apply with a napkin.

What is mineral oil

Mineral oil is crude oil or is produced from industrial crops. The following types of oils are used to impregnate wooden products:

• coconut;
• linen;
• woody;
• consisting of several ingredients;
• mineral.

Mineral oil, which is a product of petroleum refining, is used to treat wooden cutting boards. The synthetic product is absolutely safe, therefore it is used in cosmetology, medicines, and the food industry. Mineral oil is available as edible or non-edible. For wooden utensils, including cutting boards, a food safe product is suitable.

The oil is very popular due to several positive characteristics:

• high level of protection;
• lack of smell and taste;
• ease of application;
• environmental Safety;
• quick drying;
• combination with other coatings;
• lack of color unless it contains special additives.

Oil not only prevents rapid wear and tear of the product, but also gives it shine and a pleasant appearance.

Varnishing process

It takes place in several stages:

REMOVAL OF OLD COATING

Clean the surface to “clean” wood. This can be done in three ways:

· chemical - a remover is used, which is applied with a roller or brush for ten minutes. The old layer of varnish is removed with a rag;

· mechanical – carried out using different-grained sandpapers or grinding machines;

· thermal cleaning - a hair dryer is used for this. After the top layer heats up and softens, it is removed with a rag.

REMOVING DUST FROM THE SURFACE

It is better to use a vacuum cleaner for this. At the same time, pay special attention to the corners of the table and other places where dirt could accumulate during the grinding process.

FILLING SCRATCHES

If there are scratches, fill them with putty. The best option is the one based on wax.

STAINING

Apply a small amount of stain. Do not allow streaks, drips, or unevenness to occur during work.

Staining is a wood processing process. It prevents mold and rotting of wood.

DRYING

Dry after application. Please note that the drying time of the varnish depends on its type, that is, it can range from 18 to 36 hours.

GRINDING

Do an intermediate sanding using sandpaper to remove any minor unevenness, if any.

What is the best way to cover a wooden tabletop?

When choosing a covering, you need to rely on your desires, as well as the design of the room as a whole.

Photo from source: reciclaredecorar.com

Tabletop Cedar 3198/Mw Rhodes Wood

Do you work with wood yourself? Do you want to remodel an old countertop or create one yourself from scratch? Then choose formulations made from oil and wax. They will protect the array from moisture, scratches, and the negative effects of high temperatures. Varnishes are less popular at the moment.

Need a quick restoration of your work surface? An excellent option would be to use self-adhesive film, the color and design of which can be chosen so that the surface is in perfect harmony with the set and the interior as a whole.

If you want to experiment and create a masterpiece with your own hands, try liquid glass. It can be used not only to fill a tree, but also to add a herbarium, shells, sea pebbles, and branches to the composition.

Photo from source: art-build-msk.ru

Care instructions

In order for a wooden tabletop to retain its appearance longer, it is necessary to properly care for it:

1. The wood is wiped with mineral oil. It adds shine and prevents the growth of harmful microbes.
2. Every day, remove any remaining water and food, first with a damp sponge, then wipe dry. To clean the countertop and wash dishes, use different sponges and rags.
3. Hot dishes, iron containers with sharp edges at the bottom, heavy kitchen appliances are placed on stands.

What varnish should I use on a wooden tabletop?

Photo from source: tiu.ru
It is recommended to use acrylic or polyurethane varnish. The area treated with them will withstand cold and hot dishes without any problems. It also creates reliable protection against contamination.

To remove the varnish coating, the surface will need to be scraped.

Self-adhesive film

Of course, this is the easiest way to cover. Allows you to renew a kitchen top that has become old.

Photo from source: mebpilot.ru

Before you begin finishing, thoroughly clean the area to be treated with sandpaper. Achieve a perfectly smooth surface.

Attention! Clean thoroughly. Do not allow air bubbles to form under the film!

In stores you can find a huge assortment of self-adhesive films with a variety of designs - imitation stones, solid wood of any species, plain, with a pattern.

The surface with such a film is easy to clean from dirt and can serve for a long time without wear or fading.

Liquid glass

Photo from source: derevoblog.ru
This is epoxy resin - a transparent polymer that contains sodium and potassium silicates.

Soda glass is the best choice for decorating a wooden tabletop.

ADVANTAGES OF COATING

· retains the original shade;

· will not peel off;

· will not crack, is resistant to wear;

· will not be damaged by spilling hot coffee;

· easy and simple care

Liquid glass is diluted with ordinary tap water. To make the coating look like real glass, the wood is cleaned and well sanded.

Liquid glass is diluted with ordinary tap water. To make the coating look like real glass, the wood is cleaned and well sanded.

The composition is applied in a spiral, leveled with a spatula towards the edges from the center. It is important to have time to give the desired shape before the liquid glass hardens.

Dye is added to create a colored coating.

Soft glass

Photo from source: spkubani.club
You can cover it with oilcloth or a tablecloth, but they wear out very quickly.

An adequate alternative is transparent PVC film. It is also called soft glass. Withstands household chemicals, relatively high temperatures, is not saturated with water, and is not subject to deformation. No scratches left.

Excellent for surfaces made of wood, chipboard, MDF, glass, metal, artificial stone, agglomerate.

Updating the tree workspace

No matter how carefully the work area in the food preparation room is used, over time it still loses its original appearance. After which you can either buy a new headset or try to update it. Painting is the easiest way to update.

To paint the work area, do the following:

• clean the tabletop with sandpaper or a sanding machine;
• cover up all defects with special putty;
• walk over the surface to be treated with paint containing alkyd resin; the very first application of this paint will serve as a primer;
• if you wish, you can decorate the surface for kitchen work (draw something yourself or using stencils).

You can decorate the working part of the kitchen furniture using the decoupage technique. This technique consists of gluing decorative napkins onto the item being renewed, and then varnishing them several times.

Another way to update is to use a film of self-adhesive material, which allows you to give the updated item the appearance of a wood surface, stone, marble, leather or metal. Before gluing, the part of the furniture to be treated will have to be washed thoroughly, wiped dry and be sure to degrease.

Before using self-adhesive film, determine the dimensions of the area that needs to be updated in order to cut the film correctly. Pieces of this film should be cut slightly larger than the table itself. After gluing, do not leave any bumps or folds on the film. Smoothing the film is done with a plastic scraper.

Wax

Wax is a natural, environmentally friendly material. But in addition to the water-repellent coating, it also creates protection against scratches and abrasions. Able to withstand common kitchen cleaning products.

Photo from source: ufa-les.ru

Attention! Wax thins out quite quickly, so you will have to polish and renew the coating more often than with oil. Before each update, the old layer will have to be cleared.

ZMHEGW

An economical, convenient kitchen device that makes the work of housewives easier - the ZMHEGW board. It shows the contours of the shapes of products of different sizes; by laying it out in accordance with them, you can cut even portioned pieces. The advantages of this type of utensil include:

• it is made of durable plastic, so it is durable;
• a light weight;
• beautiful bright design;
• does not slip on the table surface.

They are also distinguished by their low price; you can order them at a price from 30 to 110 rubles, depending on the size. Among the negative reviews is that sometimes the board does not arrive in the color that was specified during the application process. But this does not affect the quality of her work in any way.

Practicality or durability?

How to make a countertop practical and durable? Both of these qualities are laid down initially, at the stage of choosing a wooden surface.

What to look for when choosing a wooden kitchen surface?

1. You cannot use veneer, MDF, chipboard, only natural wood.
2. Has the meaning:

• age of wood;
• place of felling;
• storage conditions.

1. Products made from laminated wood are more flexible and resilient than their analogues from solid wood.
2. A properly selected coating will protect the wood in harsh operating conditions in the kitchen. Before covering a wooden tabletop with oil or other suitable composition, it is worth studying the available range of coatings, their properties, and features. Even better is to test the chosen product on a small piece of wood.
3. It is necessary to clearly define the methods of surface care and the possibility of restoration in case of damage.

A wooden tabletop must be smooth, durable, resistant to moisture, temperature, and cuts. A product made from harder wood will last longer. Classic options for kitchen countertops are oak or beech. Tabletops made of ash, pine, walnut, and birch are more affordable.

Larch works well. Its dense wood is resistant to mechanical destruction and deformation. Gum in larch wood prevents the growth of fungi and rotting, such properties are ideal for difficult kitchen conditions. Larch has the important property of giving up or absorbing moisture when humidity conditions change.

Advantages of wooden surfaces over other types:

• environmental friendliness;
• beautiful texture;
• variety of colors, shades;
• ease of processing, unlimited possibilities in creating different shapes, neat edges with the possibility of various milling;
• ease of updating and repair.

Don't forget about the disadvantages:

• requires more careful care than other types of surfaces
• periodic restoration is required;
• high cost of the material, expensive processing work.

In a situation with wood, you need to remember that all the difficulties in selecting, caring for, and repairing it will more than pay off in coziness, beauty and extraordinary feelings of comfort in the kitchen.

Varnish

Photo from source: kitchen-eco.ru
The varnish allows you to leave a beautiful natural wood pattern and gives a more saturated color. If you apply it in several layers, the varnish will prevent the kitchen top from deteriorating over time, will make its service life longer, protect it from the negative effects of moisture, and will prevent fungus, mold, and cracking due to sudden changes in temperature.