How to best oil wooden cutlery and kitchen tools? - eviltoast

Hey woodies,

I’m not a woodworker by any means, but figured it could be here to ask about my question. I love and own some wooden kitchen utensils and cutlery, but want to it to last as long as possible. I never put it in the dishwasher, always wash by hand. However I have heard its possible to oil wooden utensils and such to make it last longer, I assume it prevents the water from deteriorating the wood(?)

So my questions are:

  • What oil should I use?
  • Do I use cheap oil?
  • How do I oil them? Apply with paper, or let them sit in oil over time?

Appreciate any tips or tricks to this!

Have a wonderful day 🌻

Edit, thanks for all the answers and advice, I’ll research properly before buying either type of oil.

  • Eheran@lemmy.world
    202·
    9 months ago
    1. Linseed oil
    2. Should not matter, just buy local stuff (so not made in somewhere-without-regulations)
    3. Hands, brush, paper, rag,… Whatever you like. For the tiny amount of stuff in the picture just use fingers and or paper.

    I would not use oil based (as in crude oil) stuff for food. They also do not harden, which is a big plus for linseed oil. Linseed oil has been used for hundreds of years, we know it is good for this job.

    Also, the oil going rancid is how it hardens. But unlike cooking oil linseed oil does not smell bad or stay tacky or whatever.

    • Lunch@lemmy.worldOP
      4·
      9 months ago

      Good to know! I’ll try to find that here asap. How often do you recommend doing this for the items in the picture?

      • gordon@lemmy.world
        13·
        9 months ago

        Also beware that in the US what you might find as linseed oil is actually not pure linseed oil and contains all kinds of hardeners and evaporative ingredients to help it cure faster for furniture use. This kind is NOT food safe.

        I have been using very light coats of flax seed oil which is designed for cooking on my wooden utensils and cutting boards with good success. You can also use a purpose designed cutting board wax like beeswax for utensils.

      • Eheran@lemmy.world
        41·
        9 months ago

        Not often. Depending on how often you use them and how you then clean them, obvious, but roughly every year should be fine.

      • a_fancy_kiwi@lemmy.world
        3·
        9 months ago

        Be careful with linseed oil, the rags/paper towels you use to rub the oil on can spontaneously combust hours after you’ve thrown them away. Dispose of them properly and you’ll be fine.