Which Wood?

[Messman]

Ok, I have been asked about making a bread board for someone which, overall, is an easy enough project. But I need to know what are some of the best woods to use and which finish, if any, I should use.

[Oges]

Camphor Laurel is a popular timber to use for bread boards/chopping boards here as it has natural acti-bacterial properties, but not sure if you have that available over there.

[Firedkm]

Try a salad Bowl finish like this one http://www.pennstateind.com/store/BEHFOODFIN.html

[don in brooklin on]

I don't make bread boards but make end grain cutting boards based on the woodwhisper video. I use a mix on hard maple, walnut, cherry, purpleheart of what ever I can pickup.

 

Part 2 of the video talks about finishes. On the last one I did I soaked in tung oil and then after drying for a month I used General Salad Bowl finish. If I am in a hurry I I skip the tung oil.

 

http://thewoodwhisperer.com/butcher-block-cutting-board/

 

Don

[Bill WIlson]

Hard, tight grained woods are the best for cutting/chopping boards. I've used maple, hickory, beech, and other woods such as purple heart, walnut, cherry. Most of my boards are made using a combination of 6 or 7 different species, rather than one single type of wood. I like the visual affect of the alternating light and dark colors.

 

The best finish for cutting boards is mineral oil. It's cheap, readily available at any grocery store or drug store. Apply it generously, let it soak in and keep applying it until it doesn't soak in anymore. Wipe the surface with a rag and you are ready to use it. You will need to reapply it occasionally, depending on how the board is used and how often it gets washed. If you are so inclined, you can melt in some natural beeswax, using a double boiler. Little more work & mess, but some folks like it. Also, never put a cutting board in a dishwasher. Always handwash and avoid leaving the board in the dishwater for any length of time. I use Titebond III glue for my cutting boards.

 

Here's Wikipedia's advice on the proper care of wooden cutting boards. It looks pretty sound. You can google any number of sites for advice on the proper care, cleaning and maintenance of wooden cutting boards.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutting_board#Sanitation_and_care

[susieq4131]

I make cutting boards using maple, walnut, and cherry combinations. These three woods look fantastic together. I also finish all mine with USP (food grade) mineral oil which you can get at any drug store.

 

SQ