Care Instructions
End grain cutting boards have working surfaces with only the ends of the boards showing. This will keep your knives sharper for longer and increase their longevity significantly over face grain or edge grain boards which have you cutting across the wood fibers of the board. Additionally, the cheaper edge grain and face grain boards will show scratches more easily as those wood fibers are cut. End grain boards are more difficult to construct, typically cost more, and require some care to maintain, but their benefits make them a worthy investment.
Caring for End Grain Cutting Boards
1. Wash!
Wash your cutting board in warm to hot soapy water then rinse. Dry the board immediately after and let sit on the cutting board feet. The feet on the bottom of the cutting board help prevent moisture buildup and expanding the wood over a long period of time.
2. Let it breathe!
The best place for the cutting board is on the counter top. This allows for good airflow around the board so that it can breathe.
3. Reapply!
End grain cutting boards need to be reconditioned with mineral oil and butcher block conditioner every few months depending on how often the board is used. Look for food grade mineral oil or a combination of mineral oil with bees wax as they will help to condition your board. I recommend heating the oil to warm before applying. This will allow for a greater saturation and will absorb more into the wood of the cutting board.
4. Repeat!
For heavy daily use, re-oil the cutting board every month or as often as desired. Cutting board oil can be purchased from a variety of stores such as Home Depot, Rockler, or Online at Amazon.
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