Caring for Wooden Boards

A wooden board lasts for years with a little regular care. What ruins one is water: soaking it, or putting it through the dishwasher, makes the wood swell, dry out unevenly and split.

After each use

1. Scrape off food, then wash with warm water and a little dish soap. A brush gets into knife marks better than a sponge.
2. Rinse quickly and wipe dry with a cloth.
3. Stand the board on its edge to finish drying, so air reaches both sides.

Once a month

Rub in a thin layer of food-safe mineral oil or a board oil, leave it to soak in for a few hours or overnight, then wipe off what’s left. Do it more often if the wood looks pale and dry. Cooking oils such as olive or sunflower oil aren’t a good choice here, as they can go rancid in the wood.

Common problems

• Smells (onion, garlic, fish)Scrub with coarse salt and half a lemon, then rinse and dry.
• Stains and rough patchesSand lightly with fine sandpaper, going with the grain, then oil.
• Raw meatMany cooks keep a separate board for raw meat. Wash it straight away with hot, soapy water.
• WarpingUsually from drying flat or getting soaked. Always dry it upright and never leave it in water.