Is teak oil safe for cutting boards? Finishing is essential for any woodworking project. They give the final product a nice glimmer, bring out the natural beauty of the wood, and protect it from the elements. When it comes to kitchenware, picking the right finish is even more important since you need a product that’s not only effective but also food-safe.
Teak oil is one of the most common finishes out there, but can it be used for cutting boards and similar items. Is teak oil toxic? Is teak oil food-safe? Let’s find out.
Is teak oil food-safe?
Is teak oil safe? Unfortunately, there’s no unanimous answer to this question. The problem is that teak oil is not just one product. Every manufacturer produces its kind of teak oil so each brand is made with different components and additives. Some are relatively food-safe, the others not so much. Besides the way you apply the the teak oil also matters.
What’s it made of?
“Hold on! Isn’t teak oil made of, you know, teak tree?” No. Teak oil generally consists of half a dozen of different ingredients none of which is extracted from the teak tree. The teak oil is called like that mainly because it was originally used for treating teak wood.
The formula of teak oil is pretty similar to that of Danish oil, another popular wood finish.
The base components of most teak oils are linseed oil and/or tung oil. For instance, Watco teak oil, one of the most common brands, is made with linseed oil.
Both linseed oil and pure tung oil are perfectly food-safe. Moreover, raw linseed oil is often used as a dietary supplement, due to its high contents of valuable fatty acids like omega-3. In its edible form, the linseed oil is usually called flax oil.
However, the problem is that before the tung oil and linseed oil get into the teak oil finish, they undergo a series of chemical reactions. The reactions are supposed to enhance their qualities and increase their shelf-life.
Raw linseed oil, like all-natural oils, is susceptible to oxidation. If not stored properly it quickly loses its valuable properties, darkens, and becomes rancid. Boiled linseed oil, on the other hand, is much more resilient, and with the addition of some preserving agents, its shelf-life can be prolonged to close indefinitely.
I think it’s unnecessary to say that natural oil without additives is very rarely used for the production of teak oil or Danish oil.
Other components
Let’s now look at some other components that may make up teak oil.
One compound that is added in pretty much all teak oils is turpentine. It is a powerful solvent and also has antibacterial properties. It protects the wood from rot, fungi, and parasites. So it’s little surprise that turpentine is highly toxic. Ingesting as little as 10 milliliters of turpentine is fatally dangerous! It should not come in contact with food.
Another common ingredient is varnish. Varnish is what gives the finishes their shine.
They are irreplaceable components in most teak oils, as well as many paints and they can also be used on their own.
Finally, we have mineral spirits. In their essence, mineral spirits are nothing but a petroleum-based alternative to turpentine. As you might’ve guessed, consuming mineral spirits is as good of an idea as consuming gasoline.
The verdict
So, is teak oil food-safe? It depends on the brand. If you manage to come across a teak oil that only consists of linseed oil and pure tung oil you can use it. Even though these oils are chemically processed, according to the FDA, they still can come in contact with food.
It doesn’t mean, of course, that you can pour this teak oil on pancakes like maple syrup. However, you can put small amounts of this oil on cutting boards, wooden spatulas, salad bowls, etc.
Besides, once the finish dries it gets absorbed into the wood. Most of the time, the food you put on your cutting board never gets into direct contact with the finish. That being said, there are more food-safe alternatives to teak oil on the market. Let’s take a closer look at what you might want to use instead.
Natural oils
Natural vegetable oil is often considered to be the best kind of food-safe finish. Keep in mind though, that we’re not talking about regular olive oil or sunflower oil used for cooking.
You need finishes based on pure oil with as few additives as possible. These oils are still going to be chemically processed but that’s not a bad thing. And this is why.
Some advise treating wooden kitchenware with raw edible oils, like the flax oil, mentioned above.
The problem is that if some product is edible for humans it is also edible for harmful microorganisms.
It means that, by applying raw linseed oil on a wooden board or spatula you risk creating a positive environment for bacteria that might reside in the microscopic cracks in the wood, because of that the oil will eventually go bad. In the best-case scenario, you ruin your new cutting board. In the worst case, you give food poisoning to your entire family.
That’s why some level of chemical processing is always needed. For instance, don’t shy away from using fractionated coconut oil or distilled coconut oil. They are food-safe and are great at protecting your kitchenware from rot. Walnut oil or tung oil are also good options.
Finally, there’s teak oil. As I said, most manufacturers add turpentine and varnishes to their teak oil. However, it is still possible (albeit very difficult) to find a food-safe teak oil brand made with natural oil.
Food-grade mineral oil
One of the most common food-safe alternatives to teak oil is food-grade mineral oil. Just like mineral spirit, mineral oil is also a petroleum derivative. However, in contrast to spirits, it is highly refined and specifically modified to be food-safe.
Whatever the case, it is approved by the FDA and is now one of the most popular kinds of wood oil out there. Even if you choose not to use it for your projects, the chances are, that the wooden salad bowl you bought in the mall or your kitchen table has been treated with mineral oils by the manufacturer. Again, whether you want to trust the FDA or not is completely up to you.
Why do you need finishing?
One of the main purposes of wood finishing is to protect the wood from rot as well as the elements. The oil fills the microscopic cracks in the wood preventing water from getting in. As we all know, most living organisms, including harmful bacteria cannot live without water.
It means that by using a finish you kill two birds with one stone.
First, you extend the life of your chopping board by protecting it from rot. Second, you protect your household members by keeping harmful germs at bay.
Conclusion
Is teak oil food-safe? Can you use teak oil on cutting boards, wooden bowls, spatulas, etc? As you can see for yourself, these questions are not as simple as they seem at first. The problem is that there are many kinds of teak oil on the market, and they are all made with different ingredients.
Some manufacturers use toxic chemicals like turpentine in their teak oil. This compound is extremely dangerous and should on no account come into contact with food. Other brands like Watco teak oil are made with linseed oil and thus are food-safe.
The bottom line is that you can use teak oil for treating kitchen items if it is made with natural oil. Be cautious and always check the ingredients of the teak oil brand you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest oil for cutting boards?
Natural oils such as tung oil, linseed oil, and walnut oil are usually considered food-safe. Food-grade mineral oils are petroleum derivatives and thus cannot be deemed natural. Nevertheless, they are also approved by the FDA and pose no threat to human health. Most wood items you might buy nowadays are treated with mineral oil.
Is a teak cutting board food safe?
Teak timber is perfectly safe. It has been used for centuries all around the world. The dense structure of teak wood and its natural resistance to fungi and other microorganisms make it an ideal material for making kitchenware.
What is the best oil for teak cutting board?
Plant-based oils like pure tung oil, linseed oil, walnut oil, etc. are great for finishing your teak cutting boards.
Mineral oil is also food-safe. Remember, it is always important to check the list of ingredients of the product you buy. Some components you should avoid are turpentine and white spirit. These compounds are not food-safe.
Should I oil teak cutting board?
Yes. Adding this extra protection layer on the chopping board is always a good idea — teak or not. Food-safe drying oil prevents water, pieces of food, and bacteria from getting into the microscopic cracks in the wood. It means that your board will stay clean and food-safe for longer.