Grapeseed oil for wood: what is it and why does it work?
Grapeseed oil is oil from the seeds of grapes. The oil is thin, odourless and food safe. That is why it soaks well into the wood of your cutting board without you smelling or tasting anything of it.
Our care oil consists of one thing: 100% grapeseed oil, with no additives. That is a deliberate choice. For a cutting board you need an oil that does three things. It must be safe around food, it must soak into the wood and it must not taste of anything.
Why wood needs oil
Wood has pores. If they are empty, water gets in when you wash up and the wood then dries out again. That happens time after time. The wood turns dull, feels rough and can start to warp. Oil fills the pores. A board that has enough oil takes up less moisture and stays supple.
What makes grapeseed oil suitable
| Property | What you notice |
|---|---|
| Thin | You easily rub the oil out into a thin layer |
| Soaks in well | After 4 hours the oil is in the wood and not on it |
| Odourless | Your bread and your cheese taste of bread and cheese |
| Food safe | You can cut on the board without worries |
| No additives | You know what you are spreading on your board |
Why not just oil from the kitchen cupboard?
Everyone has olive oil and sunflower oil at home. Yet we advise against them for wood. They are thicker and soak in less well. So more stays on the surface. They also have a smell and taste of their own. You pass those on to everything you then cut on the board.
A detailed comparison of the kinds of oil is in Which oil for a wooden cutting board?
How to use the oil
- Clean the board and let it dry completely.
- Rub 20 ml of oil out thinly with a cloth. Do the edges and the underside as well.
- Leave it to soak in for 4 hours.
- Wipe away what is still on top.
Do this twice a month. A new board gets a generous layer the first time, which soaks in overnight. The oil comes in glass bottles, from 20 to 500 ml. Most people start with 250 ml. You will find more explanation on Oil for your cutting board.
Frequently asked questions
Is grapeseed oil safe for a board that I cut food on?
Yes. The oil is food safe and contains no additives. After it has soaked in and you have wiped it off, you can simply use the board.
Can you smell or taste the oil?
No. Grapeseed oil is odourless. Your food does not take on any taste from it.
Does grapeseed oil only work on beech?
No. The oil is suitable for every type of wood, including oak, acacia and bamboo. You can read the difference between those types in Beech, oak or bamboo.
Can I also use beeswax after the oil?
Yes. Oil soaks into the wood, wax stays on top and keeps moisture out. Always first oil, then wax. Read more on Beeswax for wood.
