Boos block question

steel_egg · December 2017

a little elf leaked some information. Apparently I’m getting a boos block cutting board for Christmas. I’ve always wanted one but I don’t quite know how to best care for it. Is there anything I need to do before/after using? Thanks in advance.

dmchicago · December 2017

It will come with care instructions.

But it I've had mine over 15 years and stopped oiling it years ago and it's still in great shape.

fishlessman · December 2017

i use an oil wax on mine once every winter but the first few years maybe every other month.

WeberWho · December 2017

I'll wax mine every few months. I use mine strictly for veggies. I have a seperate cutting board for meats. Don't feel that you need to only buy Boos waxes. You can pick up waxes at big box stores for much cheaper

steel_egg · December 2017

WeberWho said:

I'll wax mine every few months. I use mine strictly for veggies. I have a seperate cutting board for meats. Don't feel that you need to only buy Boos waxes. You can pick up waxes at big box stores for much cheaper

Should I keep meats off this board? I was planning on it as a multipurpose cutting board?

WeberWho · December 2017

steel_egg said:

WeberWho said:

I'll wax mine every few months. I use mine strictly for veggies. I have a seperate cutting board for meats. Don't feel that you need to only buy Boos waxes. You can pick up waxes at big box stores for much cheaper

Should I keep meats off this board? I was planning on it as a multipurpose cutting board?

No need. I just like to keep them seperate. I don't like the idea of all that juice soaking into the block. Clean up is easy with the no meat rule. Not really necessary though.

fishlessman · December 2017

steel_egg said:

WeberWho said:

I'll wax mine every few months. I use mine strictly for veggies. I have a seperate cutting board for meats. Don't feel that you need to only buy Boos waxes. You can pick up waxes at big box stores for much cheaper

Should I keep meats off this board? I was planning on it as a multipurpose cutting board?

my boos is the whole counter, 42 inches wide, everything gets cut on it

BizGreenEgg · December 2017

You can go to any corner drug store and get some Laxative Lubricant. It's just mineral oil and is cheaper than buying block oil, which is the same thing. I used to melt a little paraffin wax into some mineral oil on occasion for extra protection. Got lazy, so it's usually just oil now.

stompbox · December 2017

I want one, almost got one several times, but I keep thinking it may be a pain to maintain.

steel_egg · December 2017

Thanks for the help.

dmourati · December 2017

I have one. You just need to put mineral oil on it for the first couple days/weeks.

GrateEggspectations · December 2017

stompbox said:

I want one, almost got one several times, but I keep thinking it may be a pain to maintain.

Nope. Pretty easy, really. The occasional oiling and/or wax, and otherwise simply wiping it down after use.

Focker · December 2017

Yep, I smear a good coat on before bed, and it's mostly absorbed in the AM. The board will let you know when it's thirsty, it will have a grayed over, dryed out look.

I did the beeswax thing for a while, but mineral oil soaks are the most important.

Have cut many different animals, and bushes, on the same board, zero illnesses. The self-absorbing microbiotic properties help.

The more anti-bacterial products you use, the quicker your board will dry out. Flour will dry it out too.

I do a light scrub of Dawn occasionally for stuck on crusty stuff, but mostly it's damp paper towels to get the bits, followed with a dry paper towel.

Mineral oil is cheap at your local pharmacy. I picked some up at Wally World recently.

Coat all sides when you oil. And like CI, maintenance is ongoing, not just for 2 weeks. It's not bad at all.

My board is one of the better, if not the best, foodie purchases I've made. It is the focal point of the kitchen.

nolaegghead · December 2017

Focker said:

Coat all sides when you oil. And like CI, maintenance is ongoing, not just for 2 weeks. It's not bad at all.

I was about to mention to coat all sides, but Focker beat me to the punch line.

If you don't, one side will swell with moisture and the other won't. The board will be come concave on one side and convex on the other and will be ripe for splitting. So apply the mineral oil/wax/whatever on both sides every time. If you have an end-grain that's like 6-18 inches thick, this won't matter because the glue joints are so large. But most are thinner. Importante!

steel_egg · December 2017

Thanks folks. Once again, the right place for answers. I appreciate all your input

kweitz · December 2017

I'm about to pull the plug and purchase one of the Boos islands. Will I be able to get to the underside to oil it as well? Rethinking my purchase.

Hub · December 2017

My Boos block was one of my best purchases ever. I use it way more than I thought I would. I pretty much use it every day and I cut anything and everything on it. It never leaves my kitchen counter. At first, I was all freaked out about maintaining it and avoiding cracks, but you will ease into a routine that requires no thought. Wipe it down with a damp, hot cloth after each use. Every couple of months or so give it a good rub down with this. Hit all sides and edges evenly. One bottle will last you a couple of years.

Boos block question

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