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I've been using mineral oil to oil my wooden cutting boards ever since I found out this was a good thing to do. I had a couple of bamboo boards up until I bought a really great John Boos carving board (made of maple).

When I bought the maple board, I noticed they sold something called "mystery oil". A few searches later, I found it appears to be a mix of mineral oil and linseed oil.

Since then, I have been using just mineral oil on the board(s) with no ill effects. However, I have been wondering if there is a benefit to using something other than just straight mineral oil.

Can anyone weigh in on this?

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You can use pure linseed - that's what I do - but I have no idea if it is better or not, so not an answer. – rumtscho Feb 26 '12 at 23:25

7 Answers

"Better" might be a matter of interpretation. The oils will behave a bit differently, however.

Mineral Oil is a non-drying oil, which means that it will not polymerize (form a plastic-like substance) over time. This is good for oiling cutting boards because it will stay a bit liquid in the wood and flow into cracks and scratches. It is also food-safe and won't go rancid or support microorganisms.

Linseed Oil (AKA Flaxseed Oil, or Flax Oil) is also a good choice, for a different reason. Linseed Oil is a drying oil, which means it will fully polymerize and form a harder plastic layer. This is why it is about the best oil for seasoning cast iron pans. It may be more durable than mineral oil, but lacks the ability to "flow".

A blend of the two sounds like a fine idea. My favorite, Howard's Butcher Block Conditioner is a mix of Mineral Oil and natural waxes like Carnauba and Beeswax, which add a bit of that "durability" that Linseed Oil could add.

What would be a bad choice are most food oils like Canola, Olive Oil, Lard, etc. Unsaturated fats will oxidize (go rancid) and affect your food. Even oils high in saturated fats may have too many anti-oxidants (which are bad in this case), which will prevent polymerization and leave a gummy surface. These semi-drying oils are of no use here.

Whatever you use, make sure it is intended for food (Linseed Oil is a common woodworking finish, and not all versions are intended for use with food). Mineral Oil is probably more convenient for quick daily wipe-downs, while some of the blends are probably a bit more suited toward occasional re-finishing. Either way, regular application and keeping the board dry while not in use will make more difference than the exact type of oil.

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1  
To clarify (the part about cast iron seasoning caught my eye)--Linseed oil, Flax oil and Flaxseed oil are synonymous. +1 for the explanation about drying oils – Eric Hu Feb 27 '12 at 4:12
Indeed! I'll clarify the answer. – Sam Ley Feb 27 '12 at 4:26

It's not accurate to say that coconut oil "never" goes rancid, but due to its high saturated fat content, it is highly stable compared to other vegetable oils, resistant to oxidation and can last two years without going rancid.

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I've had good results just cleaning them soon after use and maintaining them in a dry area - don't put them in the dishwasher or leave them submerged in the sink for long periods.

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The best solution to use is a mix of mineral oil and a bit of beeswax or paraffin wax. You can melt the wax into the oil in the microwave and then wipe your board down. This solution will protect is quite well and is recommended by many board makers. If you need a couple different options or directions on how to apply the oil head to End Grain Cutting Board

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I picked up a bottle of this at Crate & Barrel when I first bought a decent cutting board and have only been using it since. So I have no basis for comparison, but I can say it's done a good job of keeping the board looking good.

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"Contains refined seed oil" - sounds like it might be linseed? – Jefromi Feb 27 '12 at 5:51
Yeah, I thought it might too. I thought perhaps the other components to it might be interesting. – josh Feb 27 '12 at 13:45

I just got a local artisan here to build me a butcher block. While installing it, I asked him what he recommended for maintaining butcher blocks. In addition to mineral oil, and food-safe waxes, he is trying to bring in a product called (http://www.kerfs.com/store.htm). He has tried it on his own boards, and loves it a lot more. He finds that mineral oil "evaporates" too quickly. He's tried all different types, and that's his favourite product.

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Hmmm… three products there… which one(s) is it? Also they don't say what's in it, just a 'blend' plus some waxes or not... – NOTjust -- user4304 2 days ago
Oh, when I first linked there there weren't three products. I think it was the Lemon Luster. – talon8 2 days ago

Coconut oil works great, doesn't go rancid.

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How is it that an oil/fat never goes rancid? Can you post some links to support this? – J.A.I.L. Nov 11 '12 at 20:01
See Scott C's answer. – NOTjust -- user4304 2 days ago

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