Thread: Timber for bread boards

Originally Posted by Treecycle

I brought some of that to mix with Bee's Wax recently and then had concerns when I got it home as the plastic bottle it comes in is embossed with POISON on the side. My intention was to use the mix to apply to kids toys but was reluctant to use it after reading that. It does say it can be used for sealing water tanks above the water line so I am still a bit confused as to how safe it is.

I made a board for a friend a few years ago. He told me recently he bought some of the Bunnings Parrafin Oil and was using it on his board. I had a smell and feel of it and couldn't tell any difference between the pharmacy stuff. I've always wondered but never tried it. I feel like that's what they would say on the packaging just in case.

The 'POISIN' warning is perhaps against drinking the stuff rather than not to use it to oil a cutting board?

It will have a MSD available. That what I’d be reading before using.

Do not use Diggers Paraffin Oil from Bunnings on your serving boards.
It's not worth the risk.
It is an industrial type of paraffin oil unsuitable for human consumption. For your reference see: Products | Diggers Paraffin Oil | Recochem - Australia

Look for a pharmaceutical grade paraffin oil. Some chemists stock it and also specialty hardware stores. It's a bit harder to find 500ml bottles now, but a small bottle will suffice for one-off serving/cutting boards. Otherwise buy a cutting board oil from Timbecon, Carbatec or any other trusted woodwork supplier. For the $15-$20 outlay you'll have piece of mind.

BTW, don't be deterred by softwoods in this type of piece. Kauri, Celery Top and Huon on the higher end are fantastic and relatively hard for softwoods. They mellow with age and are kind to your blades. Best advice I give to clients is avoid direct sunlight, soaking and abrasive or chemical cleaning products. Most timber boards will only need a wipe with a damp cloth. Lemon and/or salt is another great way to clean if you are worried about raw contaminants.
Have fun! Cheers

Originally Posted by rjtwin501

I buy my paraffin oil from PetStock "cheap as".
It is used for horses and the like for medicinal purposes.
Cheers
John T

I just did a search on their website and it came up with nothing. Is it only available instore?

Stock feed stores (farming supplies) stock paraffin oil for horses etc. It is pharmaceutical grade for veterinaries.

I make my boards from Kauri. One piece. No finish. Even a butcher's block is raw timber. A baker's pastry board is raw timber.
Why Kauri? It's anti bacterial properties.

Is camphor laurel OK for cutting boards (or wooden utensils for that matter?

Russ

Originally Posted by russ57

Is camphor laurel OK for cutting boards (or wooden utensils for that matter?

Russ

Yes. No problems at all.

Originally Posted by rustynail

I make my boards from Kauri. One piece. No finish. Even a butcher's block is raw timber. A baker's pastry board is raw timber.
Why Kauri? It's anti bacterial properties.

Where do you source your Kauri?

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Originally Posted by DaveVman

Where do you source your Kauri?

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I do my own milling.

Originally Posted by rustynail

I do my own milling.

If you're going to bring Kauri to the class, you need to share with everyone

Edit: Also, Ikea sells SKYDD mineral oil $7.99 for 500ml.

Originally Posted by Alkahestic

If you're going to bring Kauri to the class, you need to share with everyone

Edit: Also, Ikea sells SKYDD mineral oil $7.99 for 500ml.

Timber is where you find it. The art is knowing where to look. Kauri logs are in short supply. The best place to find it is in secondhand building material yards, mainly floor boards. We sauce a lot of our exotic milling logs from old residential properties. Often the lagistics outway the value of the timber, but every now and again you strike a real pearler.

Thanks Ian - I will use exterior PVA and tell Jordy not to put the board in the dishwasher
Ken