Replies

1. 
   saschafer | Dec 10, 2007 12:51am | #1

   I think maple is a good choice. I suggest you contact Jeff Jewitt at Homestead Finishing (http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/ - telephone and email contact info is listed at the web site). They sell dyes that should be suitable for your project, and Jeff can tell you which ones are food-safe.

   -Steve

    

1. 
   popawheelie | Dec 10, 2007 06:38am | #2

   I agree on the maple.  It seems to be the cutting board standard.  Thanks for the tip on dyes!  I found a set of analine, foodsafe dyes that I'm gonna use.  They came pretty cheap too, only about $20.

    

   Thanks, RF 

2. 
   JMadson | Dec 10, 2007 07:43am | #4

   ALL finishes are foodsafe once they're cured.  

1. 
   saschafer | Dec 10, 2007 05:03pm | #5

   I didn't say anything about food-safe finishes; I was talking about food-safe dyes. If one were to apply a water-soluble dye, and then use the cutting board after having applied only a non-curing finish (e.g., mineral oil), or no finish at all, then there is a good chance that the dye will leach into whatever it is that you're cutting.

   -Steve

    

1. 
   JMadson | Dec 10, 2007 05:32pm | #6

   Dyes would have to fall in the same category as finishes. Any cured finish sold in the US must be non-toxic once cured. That would have to include any dyes, stains, or colorants. 

1. 
   saschafer | Dec 10, 2007 05:51pm | #8

   "Any cured finish sold in the US must be non-toxic once cured. That would have to include any dyes, stains, or colorants."

   I'm sorry, but that's simply not applicable. There are thousands of pigments and dyes available that are not certified for food contact, and only a handful that are. See 21 CFR 178.3297 for those that are certified (in the US). Would you use this on a cutting board?

   -Steve

    

2. 
   woodshaves | Dec 10, 2007 09:02pm | #9

   You are not correct about all finishes and not all stain pigment/dye are safe when in contact with food. I'm not going into an argument or details about this, if anyone wants to know, they need to do some research.

2. 
   oldusty | Dec 10, 2007 06:42am | #3

     Hi RF ,

                    How about food dye /colorings ?

         Apply a mixture of Mineral oil and paraffin wax melted together over the dyed surface , apply generously .

         Alder is nice also for a cutting board

            good  luck                dusty

1. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 11, 2007 02:26am | #10

   How about food dye /colorings ?Glad you posted this. When I read the original post it was the first thing that entered my mind. I was not going to post it because most folks think I'm a nut anyway and besides I have never tried it. I think I just may do it and see what happens.

1. 
   saschafer | Dec 11, 2007 02:50am | #11

   Hey, by now we think you're a nut no matter what you post....

   Food dyes work fine to color the wood, but they're frequently not very lightfast, and can fade pretty quickly. There just aren't that many foods where you need the color to survive a few years...fruitcake, maybe.

   -Steve

    

2. 
   oldusty | Dec 11, 2007 03:06am | #12

     Hey Will ,

                If it didn't come out right you could always eat it ,,,  what do I know , I'm just a wood worker .

       Apparently , according to some the food coloring is not a good way to go .

                dusty

      

3. 
   Dave45 | Dec 10, 2007 05:42pm | #7

   Have you thought about making "serving trays" instead of "cutting boards?  Cutting boards need to be made from hardwoods (like maple) and finished with something non-toxic (like mineral oil).  They have to stand up under some pretty heavy use, and need periodic refinishing.

   Serving trays, however, can be made from almost anything since they're more decorative than functional.  Most of them get used to serve crackers or cheeses at parties.