Once your wooden board has accumulated a significant amount of food, it may need a little bit of extra TLC. To keep it looking fresh and clean, you should consider applying food-grade oil to it. Unlike regular oil, food-grade oil won’t go rancid. After oiling your board, use a microfiber cloth or a kitchen towel to wipe it down. For added freshness, season it with baking soda. This doesn’t scrub but does get rid of odors. Alternatively, squeeze a half-lemon over your board and rub it on the surface. Salt may need to be added if the board isn’t sufficiently salty.
End-grain
A high-quality end-grain wooden cutting board will last you for many years. Unlike plastic boards, which can dull knives and harbor bacteria, wooden cutting boards have an even surface and can be easily wiped dry. The mineral oil on top of a high-quality end-grain board is a safe, natural antiseptic. The vinegar also kills bacteria and decomposes in the air. It also smells nice!
Hard
Hardboard is a type of wood composite that is similar to particle board or medium density fiberboard, but is denser, stronger, and harder. It’s also a type of wood veneer that can be glued on top of it, and it can be overlaid with ceramics, laminated papers, and vinyl. Many artists use hardboard as a painting substrate, but it must be coated with gesso before use. A skateboard ramp’s final layer is made of hardboard and other similar materials.
Soft
If you’re looking for a soft wooden board, there are a few things you should know. First of all, softwood boards are not square! They’re actually cut into pieces that are nominally two inches by two feet. However, the actual cross-sectional size of a board will be significantly less. This is because wood shrinks as it dries. After this, it’s planed into shape. A “one-by-eight” board, for example, is actually 3/4 inch thick and 7 1/4″ wide.
Sizes
In most DIY projects, the measurements of wooden boards are listed in nominal sizes. However, these dimensions aren’t necessarily representative of the size of the actual wood. This chart can help translate nominal sizes into actual sizes. In most cases, wood is sold in one or two sides, depending on the species. However, it’s possible to find lumber that’s a mixture of nominal and actual sizes. Listed below are the sizes of wooden boards, grouped according to their natural grain.
Species
There are several types of wood used for boards, including oak, ash, maple, and pine. Each species has its advantages and disadvantages, and this article will look at a few common species to choose from. Here are some of the main ones:
Oils
There are many oils on wooden cutting boards, but there are certain ones you should avoid. First of all, don’t use nut-based oils. Nuts are a major cause of allergies, but there are now high-refined nut oils that almost eliminate this problem. Coconut oil is also an option, and it’s easy to find and maintain. If you must use a nut oil on your wooden cutting board, use a high-quality oil.
Repairs
When repairing wooden boards, the first step is to determine the type of damage. If the damage is severe, a crack, chip, or splinter is likely to result. Some people choose to glue the damaged board down, which can be a risky strategy. Splintered boards can cause splinters to lodge in someone’s toe, so it’s better to fill broken board gaps and replace the board altogether.