Finishing cutting boards for restaurant use.

Here is an article you might want to read by thewoodwhisperer Josh. Due to the amount of rewashing you are stating these boards would be going through, a salad bowl finish might be the best option.

-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.

I was a chef for years, and you might want him to check that the health department won’t flip over these. They are trained to not like wood, and they don’t care how knowledgeable you are about finishes when they are being pressured to put the red pen on their write ups.

-- Matt

I would use a combination of beeswax and mineral oil, (20-80 split). Warm the wood in the oven or nuke to about 120°F, warm the mixture the same, (it will be pretty solid), rub it in everyday using a piece of old tee shirt, (wash it first).

BTW, the warm beeswax will put off a comforting smell, is antimicrobial, as is the wood, and as far as I can tell, not one health problem in the country stems from the use of wood except for nut allergies.

-- Improvise.... Adapt...... Overcome!

To me , the finish would all depend upon whether they would actually be used as cutting boards , or just serving boards.

-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.

Thanks for all the input! I love how everyone on here is friendly and genuinely wants to help!

David, that article was good stuff – I had forgotten that I had watched that guy’s video where he explained his method. Thanks for reminding me!

Matt, you very well may be right. The way I see it, though, is that I’m just the craftsman and the whole regulation thing is above my pay-grade. : ]

Thanks again and Merry Christmas to you all!

One idea I’ve got for a tough finish is to coat it with epoxy. That should be able to take a pretty good beating. Most finishes are food safe once they are fully cured. If you’re going to be using those boards mostly for presentation than you can put more or less anything you want on them. If you’re going to be cutting on them though you’re probably best off with beeswax and mineral oil as the others have suggested. You don’t want to be munching on flakes of epoxy