For our very first post, we're highlighting the importance of keeping all your wood kitchen provisions—be it spoons, cutting boards or cheeseboards—in good order with a routine dose of good ol' wood butter. This magical creamy conditioner is easy to make at home and will extend the life of all your wood things.
Wood butter (aka a simple mixture of beeswax and pure, food grade mineral oil) is what we condition each of our kitchen boards with before they find their new home. Routine conditioning cuts back on warping and cracking that often become the demise of a good wood board. A gentle, natural slathering of beeswax (we like to buy it by the bar but pellets work fine too. It's usually available at food co-ops in the health and beauty section) and food grade mineral oil (you can usually find it at a health food stores or hardware stores in the wood stain aisle) really does just the trick.
So without further ado...
THE VERY BEST WOOD BUTTER RECIPE
· 2 oz beeswax
· 4 oz food grade mineral oil
· A pint size mason jar
Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Put beeswax in the mason jar and cover with lid. Place jar in the boiling water and put a weight (or in my case a can of garbanzo beans) on top of lid to keep it upright.
Allow beeswax to melt (about 10 minutes) and remove from boiling water. Quickly add mineral oil to melted beeswax jar and return jar to boiling water for a few minutes while stirring continuously.
Remove from boiling water and let sit for about 20 minutes before stirring. Give it a final stir about another 20 minutes later.
Allow to cool to room temperature (about 2-3 hours or overnight for good measure) before use.
This concoction will keep for months, though it may separate slightly—just give it a good stir. Slather away monthly or yearly or whenever you feel like your wood items need a little pick-me-up. Your cutting board and wooden spoons will thank you with years of additional good use.