I’ve been noticing a growing trend. People care more and more about what they are cooking, and the tools they are cooking it with. Nonstick pans are out the window for cast iron, and plastic cutting boards are being replaced with wooden ones.
But something we’ve been getting asked about a lot recently is if there is an alternate oil you can put on your board to season and maintain it.
For over twenty years, we've used USP-grade mineral oil on every board that leaves our shop. It's FDA-approved for indirect food contact, it works exceptionally well, and I use it on my own boards at home.
But "food-safe" and "what I want in my kitchen" aren't always the same thing. That's why, after 20 years, we created an organic alternative. And to be clear: It’s not because mineral oil needs replacing. It’s because some of you asked for a plant-based option, and that request makes complete sense. "Food-safe" is a regulatory term. It means a product has been approved by the FDA for indirect food contact and won't cause harm when used as directed. Mineral oil meets that standard. So does fractionated coconut oil. So does beeswax. What the term doesn't tell you is where a product comes from or how it's made. And I like to think that if you’re buying a board from an artisanal shop like ours, that distinction matters to you. Mineral oil is derived from petroleum. Food-grade mineral oil goes through extensive refining to remove impurities, leaving a clear, odorless, tasteless product that's been used safely in cutting boards, medicine, and cosmetics for over a century. By every scientific measure, it's safe. I've used it on thousands of boards and use it on my own kitchen tools without hesitation. That said, not everyone wants petroleum-derived products in their kitchen, period. Some people just don't want anything that started in an oil well touching their food, refined or not. That's a line worth respecting. The organic movement is about transparency and traceability. It's about preferring plant-based ingredients over industrial byproducts when you have the choice. If you already prioritize organic produce, meat, and pantry staples, wanting the same standard for your cutting board care is consistent with that approach. Organic certification requires that source materials are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers and that the entire supply chain is audited by a third party. Our Organic Care Kit uses fractionated coconut oil derived exclusively from coconuts. The beeswax comes from U.S. hive, the same supplier we've worked with for years. The rosemary antioxidant extract that prevents oxidation is also certified organic. There’s no petroleum, and no synthetic preservatives. It’s just ingredients anyone will recognize. Fractionated coconut oil penetrates wood fibers the same way mineral oil does. It prevents moisture absorption, reduces cracking, and keeps the board stable over time. Beeswax creates the same protective surface layer whether it's organic or conventional. The difference isn't in how it works. It's just where it comes from. Our original mineral oil care kit remains an excellent choice. It's affordable, effective, and what I still use on most boards. The organic option makes sense when: You already buy organic food. Extending that standard to board care is a natural extension of your existing approach. You prefer plant-based products. Coconut oil is a renewable resource. Petroleum is not. You manage a certified organic kitchen. Every surface and tool needs to meet organic standards. You're sensitive to synthetic ingredients. Organic formulations eliminate exposure to trace synthetic compounds. The boards themselves are the same. We still use FSC-certified maple, walnut, and cherry from the Pennsylvania sawmill we've partnered with for fifteen years. We still use Titebond III—the only FDA-approved waterproof wood glue. Every board is still handcrafted in Frisco, Texas. The only change is offering a choice in maintenance products. The original care kit isn't going anywhere. It works, it's trusted by professional kitchens, and it's what we recommend for most people. We're simply adding an alternative. I stand firmly behind both products. Food choices are deeply personal. Some people prioritize cost, while others prioritize convenience. Many prioritize knowing exactly where ingredients come from and how they're produced. All of those priorities are valid. The Boardsmith Organic Care Kit exists for people who've decided organic matters to them. It performs identically to mineral oil. The difference is the source. What matters most to me is simple: That your cutting board gets regular care. That you oil it consistently, keep it dry, and maintain it properly. If you do this, it will last for decades. How you choose to do that – that’s up to you.
What "Food-Safe" Tells You (and What It Doesn't)
The Petroleum Question
Why Choose Organic
What Makes Our Organic Kit Organic
Performance Is Identical
When Organic Makes Sense
What Hasn't Changed
The Bottom Line
