Board butter containers: Small jars are included with each board and bowl purchase; large jars are available for sale. The small batches of board butter are made by melting raw beeswax with mineral oil. Apply with your hands or a small rag.
Jars of board butter sitting atop a freshly-oiled walnut board
Just-made board butter cooling in jars. Small batches of butter are made by melting raw beeswax and mineral oil together. Apply with your hands or a small rag.
Wood Care
Oil the wood as soon as you get it home, then periodically, depending on use; at least once a month. Use food-safe oil (walnut, grapeseed, mineral, coconut), especially on the ends where the drying starts. Some oils such as olive oil may become rancid or moldy so are not recommended. You can purchase compounds online such as Walrus Oil or Boos Butcher Block oil. Be sure to read directions for application. Use these oils on all your wooden kitchen tools!
Keeping your 5 Cow Farm wood oiled will reduce its absorption of food, liquids, and food odors, and ease cleaning; wetting and drying cycles, which can cause cracks or splits in wood, will be minimized. The more oil applied, the more protection. Since some of the oil is picked up by the food and ingested, make sure to use a food-grade oil.
CLEAN with warm water and mild soap, dry by hand; Do not immerse or leave in water. To sanitize or eliminate an odor, scrub coarse salt into wood using half a lemon. Let sit a few minutes, then rinse. Never put wood in the dishwasher.
STORE vertically if possible, away from light and heat. Or, hang on the wall as a display piece. If your board ever becomes warped you usually can solve this by placing the board concave side up on a counter overnight. Moisture, heat and sunlight can cause it to dry unevenly.
MAINTAIN: If wood fibers ever become raised or discolored due to liquids, sand with fine sandpaper,(400 grit) or 0000 grade steel wool, going in the direction of the grain, then oil the affected section. You can also sand the entire board occasionally with 400 grit sandpaper, making sure to go with the grain. Wipe the dust then oil.
For a nominal fee I can recondition your board!!
For more on care, follow the links below: