Replies

1. 
   rslatm | Dec 13, 2002 07:46pm | #1

   Neither of your choices would be good.  Mineral oil is acceptable and Woodcraft and other suppliers sell a salad bowl finish. You can learn a lot from reading the catalogs or at least  reading the cans of finish you were thinking of.
2. 
   HowardAcheson | Dec 13, 2002 08:08pm | #2

   Any finish intended for interior use will be non-toxic when cured.

   However, using a film finish may not be a good idea as it will easily chip and then doen't look too nice. Better might be an easily renewable finish like mineral oil or, better yet, mineral oil with paraffin melted in. Just heat the mineral oil in a double boiler or microwave and sliver off some pieces of paraffin. Proportions are not critical, about 5-10 parts of mineral oil to one part paraffin is fine. Apply it hot, let it soak in and cool, then lightly scrape off any excess. Retreat as necessary from time to time. Keep the item out of the dishwasher and try to minimize the length of time it is in dishwater.

1. 
   Ionata1 | Dec 13, 2002 09:42pm | #3

   Vegetable oil works very well , try it on cutting boards also.

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Dec 13, 2002 11:35pm | #4

   I would avoid any vegetable or nut oils. They turn rancid when exposed to oxygen for long periods. They generally won't hurt you but they will make the board stink after a while.

   Now need to use any other oil than mineral oil which works as well as a vegetable oil and has no downside.

1. 
   DWRead | Dec 13, 2002 11:36pm | #5

   Vegetable oils get sticky after they oxidize!

1. 
   Ionata1 | Dec 17, 2002 05:45pm | #9

    I have been using vegetable oil on several different wooden food items I have made over the years and have never experienced any rancid outcomes or stickiness from using it. A light washing after your done with your item and light coat once in awhile is all you need. Actually using vegetable oil helps neutralize the acidic property's in wood also. - have you tried it ?? Give it a shot on a piece of scrap sometime.

2. 
   Gretchen | Dec 17, 2002 07:14pm | #10

   A light washing after your done with your item and light coat once in awhile is all you need.

   Question answered--you are washing it off before becoming sticky or rancid.  Left alone it will be sticky and rancid.Gretchen

3. 
   bill_1010 | Dec 17, 2002 08:06pm | #11

   walnut oil  is toxic to persons allergic to nuts. While the chance of a reaction is low, it may not be worth considering.

   Pharmacy grade mineral oil (long time laxative) is probably your best bet.  Light touch up with parafin wax periodically or a recoat of mineral oil would be my choice.

   Edited 12/17/2002 12:07:12 PM ET by BILL_1010

3. 
   dwyates | Dec 14, 2002 03:09am | #6

   FWW (Feb. 83) article suggests using walnut oil. It's my understanding that if it is "edible-refined" the matter that causes the oil to go rancid, has been removed.

   Also, take a look at the Tried & True products -(http://www.triedandtruewoodfinish.com/danish.htm).

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Dec 14, 2002 03:39am | #7

   Don, don't be fooled by the marketing hype for T&T. Once any similar product is cured, it is non-toxic. The only possible difference is they you could drink T&T if you really got thirsty (I'd rather a martini). Once it's cured, it's the same as any other finish.

2. 
   MSDMSD | Dec 14, 2002 06:09am | #8

   I'll check the article out - thank you!