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6 Best Butcher Block Oil

Updated: Feb 20, 2024 4:48 PM
best butcher block oil featured image that shows the top three best kitchen product models

To determine the best butcher block oil for regular oiling, we focused on the following features: ingredients, quantity, food safety, and the application process. We know that single-ingredient oils offer more versatility in terms of surface compatibility. However, the most important aspect is picking a food-safe oil for treating food prep surfaces, as well as an application process that isn’t too complicated or takes too long to dry.

After reviewing several options, we selected Thirteen Chefs Food Grade Mineral Butcher Block Oil as the best butcher block oil. We liked that this was a single-ingredient option made of white mineral oil which means it can be used on a wide range of surfaces. Additionally, this was also our Best on a Budget pick with an easy application process. Keep reading to learn about other high-quality butcher block oils available for purchase.

Top 6 Best Butcher Block Oil

 #1  Thirteen Chefs Food Grade Mineral Butcher Block Oil

Award: TOP PICK

WHY WE LIKE IT: An affordable food-grade mineral oil that’s easy to apply and can be used in countless ways and is versatile enough to use on wood, marble and stainless steel.

Pros
  • Best on a budget
  • Versatile for wood, marble, and stainless steel
  • Easy application method
Cons
  • May not dry fully even after recommended curing time

If you’re just starting to upgrade your cookware to include wooden butcher blocks and cutting boards, you might not be ready to step up to an expensive butcher block oil.. So, our Top Pick from Thirteen Chefs is a great food-grade mineral oil that’s perfect for beginners. It’s a great choice for sealing, hydrating and protecting your wooden surfaces.

We liked in particular that this was an economical choice where you get 12 ounces of mineral oil that can be applied to a wide range of surfaces. Specifically, this is made from pure white mineral oil which can be used on wood, marble, and stainless steel. Plus we appreciated that the application process is straightforward and simple.

 #2  Howard Products Cutting Board Butcher Block Oil

Award: HONORABLE MENTION

WHY WE LIKE IT: An oil specifically designed to treat and protect wood surfaces that are free of allergen ingredients such as nuts or gluten, with a design that is ideal for the initial oiling or seasoning of wooden surfaces.

Pros
  • Ideal for initial lubricating or seasoning of wooden surfaces
  • Free from contact with nuts, gluten, or other allergens
  • Colorless, odorless, and tasteless
Cons
  • Can only be used on wooden surfaces

When you’re ready to get a bit more serious about caring for your wooden kitchenware, this Howard butcher block oil is a smart option. This 12-ounce bottle of butcher block oil is food grade and specifically designed for use on wooden surfaces such as butcher blocks, cutting boards, as well as wooden cutlery, plates, or bowls.

If you’re concerned about seasoning wood surfaces, this Howard oil is perfect for the initial seasoning of cutting boards. As is expected, this is a food-grade product. It’s also a single-ingredient pick where white mineral oil is the only ingredient. The application process is fairly straightforward, and you’ll appreciate that this oil is colorless, odorless, and tasteless and will not go rancid. It is produced in a facility where it doesn’t come into contact with nuts or gluten.

 #3  UltraPro Food Grade Mineral Butcher Block Oil

Award: BEST BULK BUY

WHY WE LIKE IT: A large one-gallon container of food-grade white mineral oil that’s perfect for complete use throughout your kitchen to preserve metal, marble, and wooden surfaces.

Pros
  • Also great for preventing rust on metal surfaces
  • NSF approved safe for use around foods
  • Can also double as a makeup remover
Cons
  • Large gallon container may be impractical for some

Some people are serious cooks, even if they’re still home chefs. These people always have a cast iron skillet on hand. If your kitchen is home to marble surfaces, stainless steel appliances, and expensive wooden kitchenware, then you’re going to need to buy more mineral oil than someone who only owns a few wooden cutting boards with a standard kitchen. We included this option from UltraPro because it’s a large one-gallon jug of white mineral oil.

In addition to working as a great treatment and sealant, mineral oil offers a wide range of applications around the home from cleaning surfaces to doubling as a moisturizer and makeup remover. And because of that, we think this particular option is a great bulk buy that makes sense.

 #4  Watco Butcher Block Oil & Finish

Award: BEST COMPLETE TREATMENT

WHY WE LIKE IT: A serious product that doesn’t just treat but creates a clear finish for a high sheen effect to keep your wooden kitchenware looking like new.

Pros
  • Perfect for use on any interior wood surface
  • Non-toxic, food-safe wood oil
  • Easy wipe-on application process
Cons
  • Has the longest curing time in our guide at 3 days

It’s easy to assume that this is a traditional wood stain, but this Watco butcher block oil is a food-grade sealant and finish in one container. This food-safe treatment is non-toxic and perfect for use on wooden kitchenware such as butcher blocks, cutting boards, and other wooden utensils or flatware.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that this particular option requires a brush to properly apply it — although it won’t create brush marks. We also noted that this option had one of the longest drying times. While it dries to the touch in two hours, you should wait a full 72 hours before using anything that’s been treated with this product. Once you’ve got this oil in your kitchen, you’ll never stop using it.

 #5  Sanco Industries 100% Pure Food Grade Mineral Butcher Block Oil

Award: BEST FOR INDUSTRIAL USE

WHY WE LIKE IT: A large one-gallon mineral oil that’s ideal for sealing butcher block countertops and treating other food contact surfaces in commercial kitchens with the ability to prevent bacterial growth.

Pros
  • Can also be used for home beehive enthusiasts
  • Great for keeping stainless steel looking fresh
  • Food safe and easy to apply
Cons
  • Packaging can slightly leak

Whether you’re a professional chef or you have an executive kitchen that would make your favorite celebrity chef jealous, you have plenty of items that need to be treated and protected. We picked the Sanco Industries food-grade mineral oil because this large one-gallon option is perfect for sealing butcher block countertops or any other large surface areas.

Another thing we liked about this option is that in addition to working on a large variety of surfaces (wood, stainless steel, or marble), you can also use this pick to prevent microbial growth on food prep surfaces. Considering that mineral oil has a wide range of application options, we liked that this is also safe for use on beehives because it is bee-friendly and environmentally safe.

 #6  Walrus Oil Butcher Block Oil

Award: BEST QUALITY

WHY WE LIKE IT: A smart butcher block oil blend that dries quickly and is full of helpful moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil, beeswax, and vitamin E to revitalize your wood kitchenware.

Pros
  • Contains coconut oil, beeswax, and vitamin E
  • Easy straightforward application instructions
  • Dries quickly within 24 hours
Cons
  • Awkward jug design can make pouring oil difficult

This Walrus Oil butcher block oil is our Best Quality recommendation because it features a mix of ingredients that are specifically designed to condition your wood kitchenware. While the majority of the other ones have been exclusively composed of mineral oil, the Walrus Oil is made with coconut oil, beeswax, and Vitamin E.

These ingredients are known for their moisturizing properties and are combined with the mineral oil to create a food-safe treatment that is FDA compliant. Application is straightforward although a common issue we found was that the design on this large one-gallon jug can make strategic pouring difficult and lead to accidentally applying too much product. However, we did like that the oil dries quickly within 24 hours so there’s very little downtime between application to when you can begin using your freshly treated wooden kitchenware. Having the best brown sugar storage can also improve the aesthetics of your countertop after cleaning.

How We Decided

Butcher block oil is a must-have if you routinely use wooden kitchenware. To create our guide, we focused on the following core features — ingredients, quantity, food safety, and the application process. All of the picks in our guide were food-safe oils.

We began by reviewing ingredients and noted that only one item in our roundup featured an oil blend that contained other important moisturizing ingredients such as coconut oil, vitamin E, and beeswax. The majority of our selections were pure mineral oil which is ideal if you need to treat more than just wooden surfaces.

You’ll also note that we showcased a range of quantities. The most common options ranged between 12 ounces and one gallon. The larger options are best reserved for people who are power users that need to frequently treat wooden or other surfaces.

And finally, we focused on the application method. While most options are straightforward and simply require rubbing the oil into the surface and letting it dry, the drying time was sometimes an issue of concern. Drying time could range from waiting as little as 24 hours to as long as 72 hours in some cases.

Best Butcher Block Oil Buyer’s Guide

The Most Important Factors to Consider

  1. Ingredients
    Butcher block oils are often the same as cutting board oils since both of these items contain similar ingredients that are specifically designed to protect and maintain wooden surfaces. You’ll want to look for items such as beeswax, mineral oil, vitamin E, or coconut oil. But you’ll also want to confirm that any additional ingredients that are added to improve efficacy are compatible with the type of wood used in your butcher block or cutting board.
  2. Quantity
    With butcher block oil, the adage “less is more” definitely applies. Whereas you might be tempted to buy the largest container of oil you can find, don’t. Butcher blocks don’t need to be treated frequently so buying large amounts may be pointless as it could spoil before you finish the bottle. Likewise, if this is your first time with a butcher block or cutting board that requires this type of maintenance, you’ll want to make sure that the oil is compatible with your item before investing in large quantities.
  3. Food Safety
    The last thing you want to do is use an oil with ingredients that aren’t rated safe for use around food because this can cause illness. Instead, always confirm that the butcher block oil you’re planning to buy is rated safe by the FDA or National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).
  4. Application Process
    For the most part, applying butcher block oil can be a process. But some brands may have very specific instructions that must be followed at the risk of personal injury. In addition to making sure that you apply it properly, you’ll also want to check to confirm that the application process isn’t too complex or frustrating.

6 Best Butcher Block Oil Questions (FAQ)

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