Have you noticed that butcherblock countertops are all the hype right now? Wooden spoons and wooden cooking utensils are making a solid comeback, too. Wooden cutting boards are used as kitchen décor, undoubtedly because of their natural beauty. It takes a lot of restraint to not buy every wooden cutting board and wooden spoon I see while out antiquing.
Because more people are coming back around to simple living and leaving behind harmful plastics, they find themselves yearning for a more sustainable material. Like wood and wooden spoons. In order to keep wooden countertops, cutting boards and wooden kitchen tools in good shape, they do require some maintenance and care.
Today I am going to share my recipe for homemade wood butter. This will keep your butcherblock countertops, wooden kitchen tools, wooden spoons and wooden cutting boards in top shape. With care, wood kitchen items can be passed down to another generation.
Butcherblock Countertops
Not to brag, but my kitchen island is a 5’X6′ workspace covered in a butcherblock countertop. When we built our house, having a butcherblock countertop was one of the things I cared about most in my kitchen.
Because we butcher and process most of our own animals, I knew it would be the hardest working surface in my kitchen.
Although butcherblock countertops require maintenance and care, in my opinion, it is minimal.
Once every three months, sometimes more, my wooden countertop requires a light sanding, but more important than that, it requires oil.
When To Care For A Wooden Kitchen Items
Because wood naturally dries out, moisture has to be added back in to prevent it from cracking and splitting. Not only does my homemade wood butter recipe prevent cracking and splitting, but it helps to stop stains from penetrating the wood.
You will know when your wooden countertop needs oil because it will lose its shine and become dull and dry looking.
As a matter of fact, these same characteristics are true for wooden cutting boards and wooden kitchen tools. Items that are frequently used, like wooden spoons, may need oiled more frequently.
Oils Used for Wooden Kitchen Items
It should be noted that not just any oil can be used on wooden kitchen items. Consequently, over time, cooking oils like olive, canola and vegetable oil will cause your wood to feel sticky.
In addition, oils like linseed oil are not approved for surfaces that come in direct contact with food.
Refined mineral oil, however, has been approved for these surfaces. Although this may be true, mineral oil is in fact a by-product of petroleum. When I first started out with my butcher block island countertop, I used a product that contained mineral oil.
It did its job well, but I became concerned when I started to research what exactly mineral oil was. At this point, I was on a quest to make my own homemade wood butter.
Homemade Wood Butter Recipe
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Coconut Oil
- 4oz. Beeswax Pastilles
Materials:
- 4oz glass jars with a lid
- Double boiler
- Spatula for stirring
- Funnel
Instructions:
- First, set up a double boiler and place over low heat. To the top bowl of the double boiler, add the coconut oil and beeswax pastilles. Let them heat until the oil and wax start to melt.
- Once the oil and wax start to melt, use your spatula to gently stir them. Continue to stir until the oil and wax is completely melted and incorporated. Turn off the heat.
- Using a potholder and caution, remove the bowl from the double boiler. Set the bowl on a towel to cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, prepare your jars by removing the lids, if necessary. After that, place the funnel in one of the jars and have the spatula and a paper towel on standby. The paper towel will aide in quickly cleaning up any spills.
- Once the bowl is cool enough to be handled, slowly pour the oil into each of the jars, using the funnel to prevent a mess.
- Place the lid and ring on the jars and leave untouched until the oil hardens.
- Now that the oil is hardened, label the jars and store them in a cool, dark place.
How To Oil Wooden Kitchen Items
- In order to oil a brand new wooden countertop, you will need to oil the countertop several times. An even coat of homemade wood butter will be applied with a rag. Once dry, use a clean rag to wipe any residual wood butter off of the countertop. Repeat this process until the countertop will not absorb anymore oil.
- In order to maintain wooden cutting boards, wooden spoons and wooden kitchen tools, a process similar to the one mentioned above will be used. Using a rag, apply an even coat of homemade wood butter to the wooden kitchen items. Most important, let the oil sit on the wooden items for several hours, or even overnight. Then use a clean rag to wipe excess oil from the item. Finally, polish the wood until it shines.
Final Thoughts On Butcher Block Countertops
Have you ever considered a butcher block countertop? When asked if I actually like mine, I cannot speak highly enough of it. As a matter of fact, I use mine as a cutting board for every meal I make.
I particularly love that I can pull casseroles from the oven, or pots from the stove and set them straight on the countertop. No hot pad required!
We also have seating at our butcher block island. My children especially love these seats for crafts, coloring and cookie making. When they get paint or marker on the wood, I lightly sand off anything that cannot be wiped clean. I especially love this feature!
Let me know in the comments how you take care of your wood kitchen items. I do hope you will try my homemade wood butter recipe!
Homemade Wood Butter Recipe
Use my simple recipe for homemade wood butter to care for you wooden kitchen tools and butcherblock countertops.
Materials
- 1 Cup Coconut Oil
- 4oz. Beeswax Pastilles
Tools
- 4oz glass jars with a lid
- Double boiler
- Spatula for stirring
- Funnel
Instructions
- Set up the double boiler over low heat. To the top bowl of the double boiler, add the coconut oil and beeswax pastilles. Let them heat until the oil and wax start to melt.
- Once the oil and wax start to melt, use your spatula to gently stir them. Continue to stir until the oil and wax are completely melted and incorporated. Turn off the heat.
- Using a potholder and caution, remove the bowl from the double boiler. Set the bowl on a towel to cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, prepare your jars by removing the lids, if necessary. Place the funnel in one of the jars and have the spatula and a paper towel on standby. The paper towel will aide in quickly cleaning up any spills.
- Once the bowl is cool enough to be handled, slowly pour the oil into each of the jars, using the funnel to prevent a mess.
- Place the lid and ring on the jars and leave untouched until the oil hardens.
- Now that the oil is hardened, label the jars and store them in a cool, dark place.
Notes
- To maintain wooden cutting boards and wooden kitchen tools, use a rag to apply an even coat of homemade wood butter to the wooden kitchen items. Let the oil sit on the items for several hours, or even overnight. You will then use a clean rag to wipe excess oil from the item. Polish the wood until it shines.
- To oil a brand new wooden countertop, you will need to oil the countertop several times. An even coat of homemade wood butter will be applied with a rag. Once dry, use a clean rag to wipe any residual wood butter off of the countertop. Repeat this process until the countertop will not absorb anymore oil.
- To maintain an existing wooden countertop, follow the same process as you would for wooden kitchen items.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop This Post
Looking For More Ways to Use Beeswax?
Check out my post on How To Make Lard Candles! This simple recipe uses lard and beeswax to create a lovely, non-toxic candle that burns clean.
