Several months ago Wendi with Bon Appetit Hon, did a post on Wood Butter; like you I had a moment of Huh? What? Well, typically called Spoon Oil, Wendi had decided that Wood Butter fit better and I agree; leave it to another food person to put the perfect name on this elixir that is so simple but so perfect for the care of the wood items we use in the kitchen. A necessity but also a bit indulgent…yes, butter is perfect! We need to take special care of our wood kitchen items in Denver due to the low humidity in our environment and I can be as lax as the next person. Making your own ‘wood butter’ makes it simple and inexpensive too. I was reminded by my friend Jennifer at Bread and Putter that it’s also magical hand lotion…and that it is!
Though Wendi had to find an online resource for the beeswax part of the magic, I was lucky to find a local resource. Peak Candle Supplies provides beeswax in small pellets for easier melting; I bought two pounds which is enough for (48) 4 oz containers…um, that should be enough for awhile don’t you think? Finding the food grade mineral oil was easy once I finally remembered to put it on my grocery list; it’s typically available in the pharmacy. I now know why that poor guy gave me such a funny look when I lamented that I wish they had more than four bottles. I’ve always used it for wood conditioning; I’m thinking he was wondering why I needed more than four bottles of a laxative. Who knew?
The process is easy but can be messy. Most ‘recipes’ include heating the wax in a mid size Ball jar in hot water and adding warmed mineral oil to the wax once it is melted. I preferred using a large glass measuring cup with a pour spout as I was going to be pouring the combined liquid into a whole bunch of small jars. I also used a funnel just for canning and it worked perfectly. The only negative to this method is the removal of the wax from the measuring cup and funnel. I decided since I’ll be doing this again, I’ll just save those two utensils just for this process and candle making and not worry about the residue layer that remained inside each.
What better way to show you the magic of Wood Butter than a Before and After photo. Totally untouched, promise. Everything in this photo has been treated with an application of wood butter including the bottom board. Simply apply a bit to a paper towel or a piece of cheesecloth and rub a dollop onto the surface until it’s rubbed in. The bowl in front was an inexpensive one I purchased from World Market and it was apparently never supposed to touch water. It did, I thought it ruined but ‘the butter’ did the trick. I found the wooden rolling pin at a yard sale and can’t believe the difference myself. All of my cutting boards have a renewed luster; in fact they seem new again. It is not a sage compound butter but it is a miracle butter!
A terrific homemade product to use for all of your wood kitchen products from wooden spoons to cutting boards.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pure beeswax - measured dry. One package of the pellets that I purchased weighed 16 ounces and I used half a package at a time.
- 32 ounces of mineral oil - typically packaged with 16 liquid ounces per container so I used 2 containers.
Preparation
- Bring a large saucepan filled with water to a gentle boil.
- Place your beeswax inside a 2 quart glass measuring cup or a 1 quart glass jar; set the glass into the gently boiling water.
- Place the container(s) of mineral oil inside another medium saucepan filled with water and heat to low.The mineral oil just needs to be warmed to mix with the beeswax; no need for a rolling boil.
- Once all the wax has melted, turn off the stove and carefully add the warmed mineral oil to the beeswax;stirring with a spoon to combine.
- Using a towel around the handle of the measuring cup, carefully pour the liquid into each jar fit with the canning funnel;filling them almost to the top.
- Finish filling all jars and wait for to cool and firm up before using.
Wendi was kind enough to send me some of her butter and I would like to pay it forward. Here’s the deal; let’s make it simple. No tweeting or visiting other sites or promising me your firstborn. Just a simple comment. Say whatever you want…but if you have something you think might really benefit from some of this oil; I would love to know. I’ll choose one or maybe two lucky recipients later this week.
Even though this is just me wanting to give something to a couple of you; I had better comply with the rules: THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED and WINNERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED.
- To enter, leave a comment on this post
- You must leave an email address to be notified if you are chosen as the winner.
- You must be 18 to enter but then how many under 18 would think about protecting wood surfaces?
- This sweepstakes (that’s officially what these are, not a ‘giveaway’) will end at midnight Friday, December 2nd, 2011 with the winner being announced Saturday. I don’t promise early. :)
- If the winner does not provide a mailing address within five (5) days after being notified, a new winner will be drawn.
- To say that my opinions are my own? I made the stuff right…and provided before and after photos right? :)
- Except for the one exception I am making below; you must be a resident of the US.
Just because, I’m sending a jar to the lovely Paula from Vanilla Bean Bake in Canada? Paula is the sweetest, most supportive person and doggone it…she sent me some AWESOME maple syrup several months ago; now it’s her turn for a gift from a friend. Paula I’l need your mailing address; we’ll connect so you can get that to me.
{ 334 comments… read them below or add one }
I definitely want to try it on my butcher block. I have so many wood-handled-everything and would just love to get carried away! ;-)
This would be great for scratches on end tables/coffee tables and kitchen tables as well.
Another (non-food) related use would be for wooden handled tools that see weather and out door use. I do something similar for shovel handles, and also my wooden wheelbarrow handles. Can’t wait to try this recipe on them!
I think this is great! But was wondering if it is good for wood bowls etc. why couldn’t you use on your cupboards? Old dressers, chest etc.?
I suppose it would IF your wood is unfinished. If it’s been varnished it won’t sink into the wood. Most wooden cutting boards, spoons and bowls don’t have that finish so soak up the protection of the wood butter.
Can’t wait to try this!
My hands are so dry today I think I’m gonna try some on them!
I have starting using this on my hands and LOVE it! It’s not too greasy and it’s incredibly long-lasting. My sister-in-law made if for my cutting boards and wooden spoons but honestly it is so multi-functional. I am going to make my own batch and drop in some citrus or peppermint to use at my desk at the office.
Greetings! How about using Walnut oil for the oil, thereby keeping the oil edible since these are for food! The mineral oil is a petroleum product! :(
Love this idea! And maybe a drop or two of an essential oil. Don’t know off hand which one but it I will research before making this!
Thanks
I know that mineral oil is a by-product of petroleum but it is not petroleum and the end result is safe for human consumption. I purchase it in the drug department of my local grocery store where it is sold as a laxative and have to trust that since it is FDA approved for human consumption it’s safe to use. I can’t recommend other oils as nut and seed oils will go rancid over time so they are definitely not something that is suggested for a purpose such as this.
You can use walnut oil in place of the mineral oil. I make both. Many people like the idea of no petroleum jelly, while others may be worried about serving people with nut allergies. They both work great – I’ve tried them both
Doreen Most Recent Post: Moisturizing Hard Lotion Bar – Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil by DsBs
I still do not recommend walnut oil as it can go rancid; I researched this topic before writing a post and as a result won’t recommend it to my readers. If someone has an issue with mineral oil, so be it, but I can’t recommend something that 1. I’ve never used and 2. I don’t feel is a good fit for this application.
Hi there! I found your recipe for the wood butter on Pinterest, and I’m wondering if you think I could use this on my unsealed wooden butcher-block countertops? I currently use a food-safe oil on them once a month that I can only buy from one inconveniently located store in my city, so I’d love to have something I can make on my own….
I don’t see why not. I don’t have butcher block countertops; I just have three of them spaced in the kitchen for use and I use it on all three regularly. A food safe oil is very likely mineral oil anyhow isn’t it? This just adds a bit more (ie longer lasting) protection.
Hi,
I just wanted to help out a little with the clean up!
I am a beekeeper and I make a lot of beeswax products including salves and lip balms.
After getting as much of the offending oily wax from my glass measuring cups, I put them in the microwave for a minute or two (depending on the size). When all the little bits have remelted and the glass itself is warm, I carefully wipe out the inside of the glass with a paper towel. I always toss the first paper towel for a clean second one and wipe again.
It works every time!
Also, this is very close to a recipe I use for a non-petroleum jelly. Instead of mineral oil I use olive oil or almond oil. It works great. You may have to play with the ratio a bit. Just remelt and add oil or wax depending on what you need. But you don’t want to use olive oil or any vegetable oil that can go rancid in your board butter.
Doreen
Queen Bee, D’s B’s
Thanks Doreen…I finally broke down and did pretty much exactly that; I couldn’t find another glass measure like that big one so had to!
Yes, I’ve tried to caution people not to use other oils if putting on their wood boards for that very reason. Rancid would not be good!
I hope everyone knows not to put wooden-handled utensils in the dishwasher. That will ruin them faster than anything. I think many don’t know this, because whenever we have visitors who help us clean up the kitchen, we have to check the dishwasher (if we remember!) and remove the items with wooden handles.
If the items do go through a cycle, we treat them with a product I found called “Bee’s Oil” and it seems to bring them back. Your homemade formula looks just the same as that…I’ll try it sometime. Thanks!
Knowing and doing can be so far apart! I think everyone knows not to but I’m betting a lot still do. I handwash a lot of things; just out of habit. Anything wooden, big or special does not go thru the dishwasher! Hope you do try the wood butter; it’s sort of amazing; thinking my hands might need it soon! :)
I’ve always used mineral oil to condition my cast iron dutch oven and skillets. I’m wondering if your wood butter can be used to condition cast iron as well.
I honestly don’t know…it’s a combination of mineral oil and beeswax so maybe you could do a bit of research and see if beeswax has ever been used for that purpose? I think of it more for wood products though, I must admit!
This is such a great idea! I have a Texas shaped cheese board that could use some TLC!
Kimberly Most Recent Post: happy new year!
Hi I love this my question is can you use this on wood furniture ?
I can’t honestly say…I’ve never done it myself. If you wanted to test it, it would have to be on furniture that has not been finished with a topcoat of varnish; else you would just be rubbing in on the furniture but not into it. I would have a tendency to consider a product made for furniture but again…I’ve not tested this either. Good luck!
Came across this in my wanderings and would LOVE to share on my facebook page but am completely stumped as to how to get it there…any suggestions?? New Year Resolution…learn this dang computer:)
Hehe; thanks for the chuckle. I think if you put this address of the post in your Facebook area for commenting that should do the trick…I do love this stuff too, mine is almost gone. :(
http://www.creative-culinary.com/2011/11/wood-butter-helps-renew-wood-utensils-and-bowls/
I shared this with my husband and started listing where we could get the different ingredients and he said, “But we don’t need that much.” So I told him we could always reduce the recipe to which he responded, “We should buy some from her. Look at how much she made” as he waved a hand at the screen with all the jars filled with wood butter.
I laughed and I hope you smiled. Thank you for sharing this.
Satia Most Recent Post: Closing In on 2013
I did make a ton…but then I also gave them out as holiday gifts to all of my friends and family! So I have my two little jars squirreled away and yes, cut the proportions, it’s easy to do if you just want a small amount for yourself. You did make me chuckle…thanks. :)
I finally tried this last night for Christmas gifts. I made a big mess on my glass top stove and ended up having to use a pan I needed to cook my contribution to today’s feast. No stores open. Limited cleaning crap in the house. I wiped off all the waxy stuff after it set up. (Used what was in the pan on my cutting boards.) Then I wiped everything down with paper towels and rubbing alcohol. Easy as pie, clean as a whistle. Thanks for the recipe. My foodie family members will love it.
Nothing like waiting til the last minute huh? :)
It can get a bit messy but at least it’s not impossible to clean up…hope everyone enjoys your efforts. I think homemade gifts are simply the best! Merry Christmas.
Thank you so much for this recipe! I just wanted to mention something that my husband thought of. I sometimes use crockpot bags. So his idea was to put the bag into the measuring cup so that I would ruin it, or have to try to get the wax out. It worked like a charm!
I made up a batch last night and mine is still not firm to a waxy consistency would I be able to melt it back down with some additional wax to get the consistency I want?
I don’t see why not Lisa…I think you’re on to something and it does seem to need some more wax. It should setup pretty quickly as it cools; no real wait time is typically required.
thank you, I will let you know how it turns out with the additional wax…mine was harder to measure since I bought a brick from a beekeeper and was working based on estimated weight.
Hi I am going to have to try this myself!! I was reading your comments and you said you were having a hard time getting the wax out of your glass measuring cup.. I used to sell high end candles and when I would have partys I would try to use the smell the host like best.. so what I did to change the left over wax to get it out was I put it into the freezer for about 5 minutes (because yours is not set up it may take longer) and then you take a butter knife and gentle poke the side of the candle (wax) and it will magically pot out…. and it is reusable the freezer will not hurt the wax… so try that and see if that will help.. I know you said you would just reuse your cup but others may not want to… just a fyi!!! thanks
That will surely help someone…maybe even me but I finally found a new large glass measure just 2 weeks ago so I’m OK with delegating that one to this pastime. If I find it; I’ve squirreled it away somewhere and can’t remember where!
Thank you for the wood butter recipe. I can’t wait to try it. I found all the ingredients on amazon. Is it possible to add a light scent such as lemon , almond or vanilla? If so, how?
Does the butter not contaminate your food when used on wooded spoons etc?
Well, it’s called wood butter but it’s actually a combination of beeswax and mineral oil, neither of which go bad or cause any type of contamination.
Thank you. I am, as we speak, sending hubbby out to buy the ingredients!!
I love this. It was easy to make. Got the beeswax from Michael’s, and the mineral oil from CVS. I am anew woodcrafters and I have been trying different finishes. This also worked well on my Bob Timberlake furniture, seems to help with fine scratches. Thank you.
Good to hear Carrie; I’ve just made another big batch for holiday ‘refills’ – I promised refills if they gave me the jars and no one forgot!
Hi can you tell me if this would work on teak furniture. I have a couple of outside chairs that could really use something, but not sure what to use. Thanks for any help.
I’ve never used it on big pieces of furniture Veronica so I hesitate to recommend it. I think outdoor furniture that is exposed to the elements could use a stronger finish. I suggest going to the paint department of someplace like Home Depot and see if they could recommend something; honestly think that would be your best bet.
1 recipe = 6 half-pint jars full, in my experience!
Thanks Liz…I was putting mine in so many different sizes I didn’t think to measure total output. Nice to know.
It is my understanding that ALL mineral oil is petroleum based and therefore is up to you if you really want to ingest that or not. I personally do not, so I did some digging and found that traditionally both walnut and almond oil were used with beeswax, so if that matters to you, as it does to me – either of those are excellent substitutions.
I was just looking at some of the wood in the kitchen (multiple wooden utensils, cutting boards, and bowls), and yes, I was just thinking about treating them, and your post was a great timely reminder. Thanks!
This sounds like a great idea but I thought the same thing when I read about the mineral oil. Thanks for giving me a substitute :)
and thanks for this wonderful idea for my wooden kitchen helpers
The whole point of using mineral oil is that it never goes rancid. Is this true of these other oils?
That’s it exactly Margaret; when others leave comments not to use it I get a bit exasperated…because other oils WILL go rancid; it is not recommended to substitute and I’m as fussy as the next guy. I did my homework on the use of mineral oil…it is safe for this use and ultimately the best choice.
I understand your concern about other oils going rancid, but wouldn’t they wear off before that if you use and wash the item regularly? I’m thinking in particular of my wooden cooking utensils – I use them at least once a day.
Jen Most Recent Post: Five Things About My Journey With Weight Watchers
This looks do-able! I knew that my wood utensils would not tolerate much water nor hold up for long, but I did not realize that I could do something about it! This post is educational and useful for me in more than one way – thank you!
I just found your recipe and can hardly wait till Christmas. My brother-in-law makes rustic wood furniture and kitchen items. This would be a perfect gift for him! Thank you.
It will be perfect…best for the kitchen ware small items but I know some folks have done a lot more.
what about wooden cutting boards? Can this wood butter be used on them also?
Yes, I do all of mine with it. Cutting boards, bowls and utensils. Enjoy!
Mineral Oil is a by product of the petroleum industry. I personally would not use it on anything that comes in contact with food. I intend to try this for furniture.
It is a colorless, odorless and harmless by product…and considered by the FDA to be suitable for consumption as a laxative; I don’t want to consume it per se but it’s not harmful to anyone in this instance.
Any food safety issues that you’re aware of when they take the beeswax and turn it into pellets? (Knowing they’re not intended for consumption but for crafts.)
I did not specifically do research on that; the end result is still labeled as beeswax without any additional additives so while maybe a unique use, no different than using bars.
Contest is long over, but wanted to say – THANK YOU! I have several wooden items in my kitchen that could sorely use this, including a great Danish wisk that was a present years ago, but the wooden handle has seen better days. Pinning this for when I have time…
As I posted in one of the comments, I think this recipe would be best used on raw wood items. If you use the wood butter on floors, you would not be able to finish them again with varnish. It might be possible if they were stripped, but perhaps not even then, if the wax penetrated to deep. The same would apply to furniture. Once a wax product is used, it is nearly impossible to strip it down far enough to stain and varnish. Probably best to keep it for only wood items that would never be finished. Linda
I agree and it’s why I’ve not recommended it to other commenters.
I melt beeswax in the microwave all the time and I put the oils in the same glass measuring cup as the beeswax. The beeswax melts into the oil and they come out the same temperature. I just swirl a wooden skewer through it to mix.
BTW, this would be good on furniture if you don’t mind a wax finish.
I TOTALLY need this stuff! I’m constantly buying new wooden spoons because we live in the deserts of California and I forget to take care of them! And I’d love to win it since I have 4 children 6 & under and don’t really want to take the time to make it!
Thank you for this wonderful recipe! I made up my first batch this morning and I love it! I just applied some to an old salad bowl and had to let you know. My butcher block is next. Am going to give as gifts, too!
THANK YOU! Found u via pinterest. Going to make a batch soon for my butcher block table!!!! And all the little utensils too! It’ll bring everything back to life!!!!
It really does a nice job…I found that the first time out all of my wooden items just soaked it up like crazy; now I try to remember to do them every so often and never let them get that bad again!
I am a big time canner so the pic of canning jars is what caught my attention! Then I read your recipe and am very excited to try this! My second thought was Christmas gifts!!!!! I have do many wooden utensils and a beautiful buther block! As soon as I can get my hands on the beeswax I’m mixing up my first batch! Thank you for the great idea and sharing your recipe!!!
I gave jars of it for Christmas last year and the orders have already come in pleading for more. You will love it and so will your gift recipients!
Thank you so much for sharing the recipe! We just harvested the beehives and I was looking for something to do with bees wax when I ran across this. I use a LOT of wood items in the kitchen. This will be perfect. I appreciate the time you took to post it for me to find!
Crystal Burrows
Brookston, TX
Thank you so much for posting this recipe! I made a small batch (for myself!) today and it was so easy. I used 2 oz of beeswax to 8 oz of mineral oil–and it was perfect! My wooden utensils thank you profusely! :)
So glad you loved it Kim; it is easy (OK a bit messy and I miss my 8 cup glass measuring cup I sacrificed to the cause) and already on the list for holiday gifts…the ones from last year have run out! :)
Hi! Was thinking of making a smaller batch also! How many jars did you get out of this? Did you use the really small mason jars? Or jelly size? Thinking of giving these as gifts for Christmas, but don’t need 48! :)
Any tips for cleaning the glass bowls after? I can’t give mine up!!
Thanks!
Hmm…I used some jelly jars and then of the even smaller jars too. I don’t remember how many I got out of it but I guess you could add the quantities of the two products that are combined and then figure which jars you want to use and divide by the number of ounces contained in one?
OK…if I were going to clean them? I would have probably put them in the oven with paper towels on a cookie sheet and warmed them at 200 degrees til it almost all melted off and then put them in warm soapy water. I am missing that big measuring bowl; I might have to do the same thing!
Thanks so much for the feedback!! It’s very helpful! Will probably run by the store and look for another glass bowl to use since I can’t part with the one I have now! I don’t want to risk it! haha! love that glass bowl!
Can’t wait to try this and give for presents!
Good idea. I had just used a glass measuring bowl I thought would be easily replaced but now I can’t find one anywhere and I miss it. Better luck to you!
Hi, stumbled on this on Pinterest and am going to make some today. I keep bee hives, and wanted to let you know that the beeswax cleans up, especially off of glass, pretty well with comet or Ajax…you know, the super cheap powdered kind. Use paper towels so you can just throw them away, and it will take a few times over to get it all, but it really does just pretty much ball up and come off. Not as effective on metal or plastic, but your glass bowl should come out good as new. Btw, that’s also how I get wax out of those beautiful jars that come with candles in them, once the candle is done and I want to reuse the jar. Hope that helps!
It does…not that I’m lazy but guess I figured that since I would be doing it again and again that I would just ‘give’ the measuring cup up to the cause. I suppose if I wanted it clean, my first thing was going to be to stick it in the over and melt off most of it and then scrub it and then…I had my brainiac idea! I miss that cup though so might have to reconsider. I thought I could find another but so far, nope.
Hope you love the wood butter…truth is my friend puts it on her hands too!
Just found your blog via Pinterest. Love the “wood butter” recipe. I am going to have to try it soon!!
Vickie
Tallahassee, Fl
Thanks for stopping by Vickie…I love this stuff and it was hugely popular last year when I gave it for holiday gifts too!
This is really cool. Thank you for sharing this. I love kitchen things that are wooden!
I do too Jen…and I enjoy them even more now that they look so much prettier!
This is great. Thanks for sharing.
Jess Most Recent Post: Mosaic Scrap Cards
You’re most welcome Jess; hope you make some. You’ll love it.
I can’t wait to make a batch. I have my grandmother’s wooden utensils & salad bowls, but since I live in Montana I have them on display but haven’t used them since they are so dried out. I could also use a good homemade recipe for polishing the copper pots she brought back from France in the 50′s.
Those sound like the perfect things for it…I have my grandmother’s rolling pin but I use it often enough that it’s not dried out; must be that butter in pie dough huh? Have you tried commercial copper polish? I’ll bet those pans are beautiful; I’m jealous without even seeing them.
This sounds great. So many things I could use this on…my thirsty early 70s Old Hickory dining table would be the first, then the butcher block, the spoons, etc. Lots of wood in this house. Thanks for the recipe! We have a honey farm in town, so beeswax should be no problem.
Lucky you; I’m betting it’s amazing honey too!
Could you use he wood butter on wood floors? Thanks for the great recipe I love wood and I am going to have somuch fun with this product.
I’ve only used it on small wood products so I don’t feel comfortable suggesting it be used on wood floors. What I would say would be this…they would HAVE to be unfinished; it won’t penetrate a top coating like varnish and…if you thought you wanted to try it, test it on a small area. I would love to know if you do it and how it works…and good luck!
Sandra, if you use the wood butter on the floors, you would not be able to finish them again with varnish. It might be possible if they were stripped, but perhaps not even then, if the wax penetrated to deep. The same would apply to furniture. Probably best to keep it for only wood items that would never be finished.
I’ve been hanging on to some wooden salad bowls that belonged to my mother, plus I was just given my grandmother’s wooden rolling pin, in the hopes thati would be motivated to try making/freezing noodles, so I’d love to try this out.
Thank you for the fabulous recipe!
Wow, thanks! What an easy & fabulous DIY. I’d love to receive a jar for use on my vintage teak bowls I got at Goodwill. They are sad!
Thanks!
Rebecca
I have some 1960s hand-me-down salad bowls that could use this treatment!
you might want to add that folks should use a food grade mineral oil – the stuff sold at the market as a laxative is fine, obviously, but wouldn’t want someone picking up a gallon at the hardware store and using that!
I did mention that Ruth; told them to look for food grade in the pharmacy of the grocery store.
you’re right, you did mention that.
Thanks for the recipe. My wood bowls never looked better. So glad I found you on Pinterest.
I’m glad you did too Peggy and I’m with you…this mixture has done wonderful things for some of my less than gorgeous pieces. I’m in Denver where it’s so dry; they just drink it up!
Thanks to you I am now addicted to Foodgawker and I found this post from your photo there. I am going to have to try this– this would make a lovely gift along with a new cutting board.
It’s a great gift item Holly; I made some for everyone for holiday gifts; I’ve had comments from people who make cutting boards that they’re going to do just as you mention; make some as an accompaniment for new boards. I would be happy to give you a jar if you want to try it; just yell. :)
Wow, thanks so much for sharing this! I have some very “thirsty” wood utensils that would do well with this rub!
The first time they do soak it up; like they’ve been on a desert island with nothing to drink forever sort of soak it up. Enjoy.
Nice idea…Can’t wait to get started. I will be adding little jars to stockings and as gifts to friends… Thanks for sharing.
i love the look of the wood with the *wood butter* …. i was thinking, though, there is a product for cutting boards, like mineral oil, but, it’s *food grade* mineral oil … bought some a while ago and used it on a cutting board from ikea … i bet it would be ok to use in your recipe … do you know the difference between *food grade* and *regular* mineral oil?
sorry, there are 227 posts and i didn’t read through them all ot know if someone else wrote about this ….
love a response ……. darlene
I used mineral oil from the supermarket that is in the drugstore section, it’s actually called a laxative (yes, that guy looked at me like I was nuts when I bought several bottles!). I don’t recall if those bottles were labeled ‘food grade’ but it is obviously safe for human consumption and I believe is the same thing as the food grade product sold in the hardware store that sells for considerably more.
Large Animal vets also sell mineral oil in gallon jugs. It is used to treat bloat in cattle. I think I paid $6 for the last gallon jug I bought.
Oooh…even cheaper! Good to know for when I start with holiday gifts again; thanks.
This is awesome! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I am definitely going to start to treat my wooden spoons and boards with a little love.
Most welcome Wylie; myself and my friends and family have really enjoyed what it does for our wood kitchen products.
Hi,
Thanks for the wood butter recipe. Recently I started learning how to turn wood bowls. I’ve looked at a number of rather expensive , food safe, finishes. Then , a friend told me about wood butter. A quick search took me to your blog.
My wife suggested I could find beeswax at a local hobby lobby and she was right. I decided to try soy wax which is about half the price. I had to adjust the proportions. I believe I ended up at about 4 oz (by weight) soy wax to 4 oz (measuring cup) mineral oil. Only a small batch. It gives the bowls a beautiful luster. Time will tell if there are any issues with this.
Any way Thanks!
Cary Goltermann
Please keep me apprised Cary; would love to know if there is a good alternative, particular if it’s less expensive. The one reason that mineral oil is used in this combination is because any plant based oil (olive, walnut, etc) has the potential to go rancid. Although soy is plant based the fact that it’s available as a wax seems to indicate it won’t; nothing wrong with a less expensive alternative if it does the job just as well! Thanks so much for the information and taking the time to let me know.
Wow! My Dad would make something like this when he re-conditioned people’s furniture for them. He said that dry wood would eat it up just like a sponge. So thank you for sharing.
Your Dad was right Pam…when I do something for the first time especially. The recipe makes a fair amount but I’m not having an issue with that! :)
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Certainly…glad so many are finding it and using it…it’s a great find and really does a good job.
Would this work on a piano? This is not one of the black lacquered surfaces, but it’s actually really nice wood and it’s looking a little dull…
I think this is awesome! I haven’t made it yet but definitely want to. I know you said you were looking for comments on this however, I was wondering if you have used it or if it could be used on other wooden items such as coffee tables and such or if you should just stick with the kitchen items? It seems a lot of furniture polishes or dusting sprays end up leaving a very nasty film over time and I am looking to use more natural products to bring out the furnitures natural beauty. Well, that is my question. I think your Wood Butter is great!
I’ve had a lot of folks ask about using this for wood furniture but I’ve not done that and so hesitate to say anything pro or con. Another commenter left a comment with information on what would be a good mix for restoring wood furniture that you might want to check out.
If it were me…I would do a small test and see if I liked the results and proceed from there.
Tried this on some really old utensils that I was using for decoration. Really brought them back to life. Had an old bread board that was my grandmothers, used nearly the whole 4 oz on it was so dry, but now looks good as new!
Thanks,
Karla
Love those kind of stories Karla…it really is great stuff isn’t it? I gave it for Christmas presents and people were sort of, oh thanks, that’s nice. Then they tried it. :)
Love it! I wonder…do you think I could use this on furniture?
If you want to work on furniture, try equal amounts of beeswax, turpentine and boiled linseed oil. Heat them carefully as above. The turp and BLO are flammable. NO open flames. Dispose of all rags and towels very carefully BLO will spontaneously combust. That means wash the rags, take them outside and spread them out to dry. NEVER wad them up or toss them in the trash. You’ll wake up to the house burning down around you.
Thanks so much for the idea. What a wonderful Christmas gift for friends and family
YAY! I’m a new proud owner of a fantastic black walnut butcher block island (unvarnished) and I’m just about to run out of my expensive “butcher block oil.” I’m going to get the ingredients to make a batch of this tonight!!
Good for you! You know what I discovered that was most surprising? The VERY same mineral oil sold at the grocery as a laxative for about $1.50/bottle was available as a ‘wood finish’ product at the hardware store for $9/bottle. This is better…I still need to go over my stuff regularly but it lasts much longer than straight mineral oil. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
could you use this as a leather treatment also???
Honestly Rebeka I would not know; I’ve only used it on wood products. If you decide to test it out, please let me know.
I am a part time woodworker. I have been using mineral oil on chopping/cutting & serving boards that I have made up to know. I made up a batch of ‘Wood Butter’ a few days ago and applied it to several of my newly made chopping boards. It is very easy to apply, looks great and has a pleasant smell and is cost effective. I think that owners would enjoy the ‘ritual’ of a maintaining such wooden utensils with the ‘Wood Butter’. I plan to supply my customers with a small contained of the ‘Wood Butter’ when they buy cutting/serving boards.
Thanks
So glad you liked it John and what a wonderful addition for your customers; very thoughtful of you.
I came here from lifehacker, and I will make a few jars of these for Christmas gifts.
Ev’rybody needs some woodbutter.
Well, I certainly appreciate Lifehacker sending so many folks over to check it out! I love the stuff; just did all of my cutting boards again the other day.
what a great recipe for Wood Butter, thank you, but i would like to know if this can be used on wood furniture—i have not made it, but would like to make some soon. thanks.
haydee
I don’t have any experience with using it on furniture but I suppose it’s similar to a furniture polish. For the real benefits of having it soak into the wood, it would have to be used on unfinished furniture.
Merci pour cette recette de beurre pour bois qui semble être vraiment géniale .
J’aimerais beaucoup la réaliser mais en france nous n’avons pas les même mesures et
utilisons les (ml , cl , et dl ) pouvez vous me dire à quoi corespond l’once ? .
Merci d’avance et bravo pour travail et vos partages .
Fanchon
Bonjour,
Je pense que l’once est autour 30 ml, mais si vous utilizer la même proportion d’un part beeswax(desolée, je ne sais pas le mot en français!) à quatre parts de l’huile, vous devriez le faire bien.
-A
Can this be used on wood furniture also or just kitchen wooden items? Thanks, sounds easy enough to make. I have a lot of kitchen wooden items that could use a sprucing up. I used to collect rolling pins so I have quite a few. Bet they would shine up and look really pretty again!
I’ve had lots of folks ask me that and I hesitate to say, ‘Sure’ since I’ve never done it…but I would if I had a piece that I thought would benefit. Most furniture is finished with a varnish type layer so this would not penetrate that…it would have to be natural, unfinished wood to really benefit I would think.
How about using on wooden dining room tables. Mine is just finished with an oil rub and this might protect it better.
I can only advise on the items I’ve used it for Lisa but wood is wood so I would think it would work fine; suggest testing it on a small area first.
My husband makes cutting boards for gifts and this would be perfect to include in the package with them. Look forward to making some soon.
That would be an extra special gift Wendy. I have a board I keep outside in a bakers rack. It’s on a covered patio but still; each spring I have to bring it in and scrub it down and bleach the dirt off of it. This year I gave it the butter treatment…amazing how beautiful it looks again. Now wishing I had done THAT for a before and after! Thanks for visiting.
Hello! Please tell me when you apply the solution, after solidification and before, when it is still liquid?
I suppose you could when it’s liquid but I never have; I make several jars of it at one time and then use it as I need it. The result is semi soft; you can just swipe a cloth or paper towel through it easily and rub it in.
This looks so beautiful and I have been looking for something to use on my cutting boards. Plus it looks really simple, so thanks for sharing. I only wonder if it can be tweaked to use a different oil that is stable and won’t go rancid at room temperature. I just feel funny about putting my food or body into contact with a gasoline by-product on a daily basis. I’ve been using Crate and Barrel’s non toxic wood oil, which is a blend of “refined seed oil, lemon oil, vitamin E, carotene.” I wonder if this can be a good lead into breaking this down into a healthy DIY wood butter recipe. I just wonder what seed oil they use?
I know that feeling so did a lot of checking and that it’s a by product does make some people squeamish but it’s really the best product to use. it’s odorless and colorless and that the pharmacy sell it for a laxative I’m assuming safe. Most other oils will go rancid…hmm, wonder what they do use? Seed is just a bit generic isn’t it? Please let me know if you find something; would be great to know.
From everything I’ve read about mineral oil, it will not go rancid. I’ve had one bottle for several years, and it’s still good.
You’re right Cheryl, it won’t go rancid. Some have reservations about using mineral oil as it’s a by product of petroleum but all of the ‘bad’ stuff has been removed and I have no such concerns; I would be much more concerned about some of the suggestions I’ve seen elsewhere…olive oil and walnut oil can both go bad!
I’ve always wanted to find something like this, but I was too afraid to use stuff from the store and never thought to make my own! Such a simple recipe, too!
The stuff from the store is so much more expensive. Additionally, the same products, one labeled as mineral oil for a laxative at the pharmacy and one labeled as wood conditioner at the hardware store were about $8 different in price. Be sure to get it from the pharmacy!
Thanks, just what I needed!
I hope you love it…it has made such a difference for my wood products. Not that I don’t have to continue to use it, but in Colorado it’s a given things will dry out and this mixture sort of balances how quickly that will happen.
here it is!
Made this, this evening – made a 1/2 batch, but enough for me and mom and already having visions of making this for my mother and sister in law as gifts. Currently, I’m waiting impatiently for it to cool so I can give it a go. Seeing as I live a stone’s throw from you in Castle Rock, CO and my mom in Monument, CO I expect our VERY thirsty wooden utensils (and other unvarnished wooden items) will appreciate the TLC. Thanks for the recipe!
Used the cooled version this morning, my wooden utensils literally drank this stuff! Awesome!
I think I’ll haev to do a few coats to get my utensils ultra happy, but at least now I can!
Mother and Sister in law are definitely getting some for Mother’s Day. Thanks again for the recipe!
I just want to thank you. I made a batch of this yesterday, and will be giving some away as gifts, and kept some to use on my thirsty wooden utensils and bamboo cutting board (works beautifully on bamboo). This is worlds better than the straight mineral oil I had been using. One of the best parts is the slight honey scent to the wood butter. I’m in love.
Thanks again!
Mary Most Recent Post: Modern Milkglass Bud Vase
Thanks for letting me know Mary; it’s always good to hear that something I love is enjoyed by others too. I’ve already had requests for refills for the jars I made for gifts…everyone’s wooden utensils and cutting boards were VERY thirsty!
This would be great for wooden knife handles and knife blocks, but I could also see this being used on kitchen cupboards. It could rejuvenate some older cupboards. Love this thank you!
As long as your wood does not have a layer of varnish on it that would eliminate the ability for it to soak it I think it has multiple application possibilities.
I’m wondering if this would be good for my husband’s cello that was made in the late 1700′s. My main concern would be if there is any residue that would get on his clothes while playing and it’s interaction with the varnish that is on it.
If his cello is varnished I’m not sure this would help since that is a finish that protects wood and would most likely keep this from getting into the wood. From my own experience, it completely soaks into the items I’ve done and doesn’t leave any kind of surface residue but they are all unfinished (except for maybe stain) items.
Going to have to add those to my shopping list. I’ve got a set of spoons my mom bought me when I graduated high school. Nice expensive ones sold through Stonewall Kitchen here in Maine. They’ve definitely seen better days….and I’d like to keep the new caphalon ones I bought from suffering the same fate, being thinner in design.
If a bit rough, lightly sand them with a find grade of sandpaper first for even better results.
They aren’t rough so much as smaller than when they were bought…..they’ve seen lots of usage in the past 14yrs….I tend to oil them inconsistently so they have a dark patina from the sauce line down and are light from the sauce line up….lol
You mean like that one of mine in the before/after photo? Yes, that spoon has been used a LOT but it still benefits from a bit of butter love. :)
THis looks great! Would it work on a butcher block as well? I have a large one on legs that needs protecting, and I’d rather make something than to buy the expensive mystery oil stuff from Boos.
Yes, I’ve used it on all of my butcher blocks; worked beautifully.
Thanks for the recipe! I just bought some bamboo utensils and used mineral oil but this looks a whole lot less messy.
It’s a bit to get done but long term…I like using it much better than just mineral oil.
Thanks for the info — so glad you shared methods on keeping wood utensils long lasting :)
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com Most Recent Post: Avocado & Kale Smoothie
It is really a great, easy product to restore lost lustre to wood products. Especially here in our arid state. All of my stuff just looks fabulous.
What about using either canola or olive oil instead of mineral oil? I keep those two on hand.
Vegetable based oils can become rancid and sticky over time. Have you ever had a tiny oil spill go unnoticed and then when you find it, it has become almost impossible to remove because it is sticky and doesn’t smell too good?
Exactly Barb…why I would not recommend any plant or nut based oil…besides that? The mineral oil is MUCH cheaper!
Yes, and like my grand daughter, many people are allergic to tree nuts. She cannot ingest any form of them, whether it is oils or extracts, or just right out of the shell.
I would not recommend that as either of those two oils can go bad whereas mineral oil is traditionally used for this purpose because it does not. It’s easy to find and very inexpensive. I think I paid about $1.25 for each 16 ounce bottle that I found at both the grocery and Walmart in the drug section (it’s sold there as a laxative…same exact product is sold at Home Depot as a wood finish!).
Can/should this be used on bamboo utensils? Tell me more of using it on hands. Does it leave them greasy?
I don’t see why not; it’s a type of wood…that being said I’ve not done any bamboo myself so might suggest you test a small spot first. My hands are so dry here in Denver…it just soaks right in…but we were sort of kidding, though I’m going to put some on and wear gloves to bed and hope it has some time to sink it. Before my skin flakes off entirely!
Thanks for the tutorial! I have a quick question: for the ingredients are those liquid ounces or by weight? (that is very confusing for we who use metric!)
(and another question: how would other non-metric people know, by reading this, if it’s supposed to be by weight or by volume? England (at least when I lived there) was only imperial measures but they weigh everything for cooking and baking).
Anyway that second question I don’t expect you to answer:) but I still am curious!
TIA
DJ
The beeswax was by weight; I received a 16oz package that I split in two to make one batch. The mineral was liquid measure as each bottle contained 16oz liquid.
I did take those measures for granted because of what I was using; the beeswax packaged by weight and the other liquid ounces..I’ll go clarify that as best I can now…thanks!
thanks for the quick reply–I’m looking forward to makíng this this coming weekend!
Thank you for posting this… I am planning to put a mixture together this weekend and try it to touchup my kitchen cabinets and a night stand in the bedroom that has seen better days !!!
Good luck Mary; let me know how it works for you…Barb
thank you so much for sharing…… awesome!
You are most welcome Spencer; hope it’s something you can use!
looks interesting
What a great idea! I was looking at my wooden utensils the other day wondering what to do to restore their luster. Thanks.
I’ve found that some of my old utensils need pretty regular applications they got so dried out…but as I use it more often they need it less! Your name takes me back a lifetime. I used to live and work in Raleigh, NC with a fellow named Earl Shoaf; funny how some of those names (like yours) are unique enough that we always have that recall!
I just found this on pinterest, I am so excited, I make a lot of my own knitting needles and accessories and love the look of unfinished wood, but they get warped and dried out over time and I was using just beeswax, but this will be perfect and a lot easier to apply than the beeswax alone!! Thank you!
Yay…having someone find something I’ve put on here and actually use it? That’s perfect and makes the effort all the more worthwhile. Let me know how it works out for you Jillian.
I live in the So. California high desert. All my wooden
Surfaces need this. I will be cutting the recipe in
Half in use on my china hutch. I just haven’t found anything
That works well. Wish me luck!!!
You’ve got it…let me know how it works for you.
I was wondering something….I plan on making this and I have a cutting board (home-made by a family member serving in the military) that is made with jaboba (? sp) wood, maple and cherry strips. He told me that the cherry will darken if I don’t use a wood butter with UV protectant in it. Any idea what we could use to put into our wood butter to get that UV protection??? I would love to surprise him with a jar, since he says it is rather expensive in the stores. Thanks for your help!!
So I did a quick search because I sure didn’t know and found this page: http://www.vivawoman.net/2010/04/05/getting-sun-protection-from-natural-ingredients/
Seems some oils do have a bit of UV in the so maybe you could add one of those recommended?
Kerri, all wood darkens with age. It is called oxidation. We have had a wood workshop for 40 years, and anytime you put anything on wood, it will also appear darker. If you don’t believe it, just put a drop of water on a piece and rub it in. When it dries it won’t be dark. I think protecting the wood from light would mean leaving it in a dark place and not ever use it. Light will bleach out a stain finish though, if it is intense enough.
I have a salt box made of cherry wood and it is gorgeous with a buffed coating of this mixture. It was dull without it.
Jatoba wood is a Brazilian Cherry wood. If you oil wood the grain is more prominent, so it makes it more beautiful. All woods contain oils and moisture and it will dry out it will become dull and lifeless looking.
I have an antique Hoozier Cabinet, with a pull out cutting board. It was used a lot for cutting meat and making pastries evidently. The board has a deep saturation of fats, and I have never had to worry about it drying out. So the best thing you can do with your board is to use it, love it and it will become more beautiful as the years go by. Just the oil from your hands will darken wood. My two Cedar rolling pins my dad made in 1936 for my mother and grandmother are saturated with fats, from being used for pie crusts dough through two generations. They are beautiful.
Thanks Barb for the great info!
Thank you so much! You guys are great! I made one batch already, with organic beeswax even!!!. It is blissful!!!!!!
Wood Butter: just wondering why using mineral a patrolum based product on eating utinsels…as you may have noticed…cant spell worth a flip….just wondering in North Georgia???
It is a by product of petroleum which is true but it is also considered safe for consumption and most often sold as a laxative so felt safe using it for this product.
Will this work on my antique table? I usually use lemon oil occasionally, but it still seems to get dried out. It sits where it’s constantly in sunshine & I’m sure that doesn’t help, but I have a small home & nowhere else to move it.
I would think so Rita. I use it for an antique storage box I own. Mineral oil is sold as a wood conditioner all by itself, the addition of beeswax just makes for a more emollient and bit thicker application.
I am wondering if the wood butter would be okay to use on leather??
Trudy I would hesitate to recommend that without ever having tried it. Maybe if you made some for wood and tested an inconspicuous piece you could see if it delivered good results for leather?
I know that you’ve probably already done the drawing, but I wanted to comment anyway. As soon as I saw this on Pinterest I thought that it would be perfect for knitters to condition their bamboo knitting needles. I have a set of DPN’s that my son stuck in his mouth, and now they’re just not quite as smooth as shiny as they used to be. Thanks for the recipe!
I would think they would work. I might take a very fine grade sandpaper to them first and them treat them.
I am so going to make this. My spoons, cutting board and rolling pin are in desperate need of some loving! Thanks for the info. :)
You are most welcome; hope you love it too.
I am enjoying your site and am a ‘newby’ to home-made items. I love saving money and the environment at the same time, in fact, it seems to me that a lot of these products are actually better than the store bought ones. I’m excited to try this one, as I, too, have a couple of nice cutting boards and utensils. Thanks.
Thank you for visiting Kathy and I so agree with you. Funny story…the mineral oil for this recipe is sold at the grocery in the pharmacy section for $1.30/bottle when sold as a laxative. The same product, sold at Home Depot in a pretty little bottle with a picture of wood items and sold as a conditioner for wood? $9. I just about died and so will continue to let the clerk at the store think I have a huge problem as I buy this four bottles at a time. :)
All gone? I’d love to have some. I just found your blog and LOVE it! My favorite recent cockatail is ABSOLUTE PEARS, PELLIGRINO AND PEAR SYRUP. I make canned pears with pear brandy and save the syrup. This is a really yummy and refreshing drink. (:
Could you use this on bamboo items?
I’m definitely going to try and make a batch…but would love to get some for control purposes. Because! My lovely husband bought me this amazing handmade cutting board! It’s mixed woods, locally made and just gorgeous. I want to make sure it lasts forever. (The cutting board was made by Delia Sophia in Milwaukee. Her site is: http://www.deliasophia.etsy.com) Thanks!
I just got some new wooden utensils too and they are getting a dose before ever touching any food or water!
Forgive me if this seems a silly question, but how are you applying the wood butter to your wood kitchen items? I’m assuming maybe by rubbing it on with a soft rag?
I’ve just been using a paper towel but found some cheesecloth yesterday so will probably keep a piece of that stored with the butter and use it over and over. Not a silly question; maybe silly of me not to indicate that in post? Will be revised momentarily!
I am definitely going to make this. Just an FYI, when I make my lip balm and lotion bars with oil and beeswax, I put the oil into the glass measuring cup with the beeswax and heat both at the same time. One less item to clean. :-)
I do that too Elisa but just heat up the oil a bit in some warm water before adding it…no pans to clean or I wouldn’t bother with that step, I’m all about saving steps and time too…thanks for stopping by; let me know if you do make it and what you think.
This is a great idea and recipe, my husband has retired and is making wooden items and we have been using almond oil on them for finishing and using for food as it doesnt have any oder or taste and doesnt get rancid but a small jar of this would be great to include with a bowl or cutting board as a gift. Thank you for the recipe.
That’s what I did for a couple of small gifts this year Sherlie; either a small cutting board of a nice wood spoon with some of the wood butter. Everyone has loved it; amazing how something so simple can be so perfect.
Hi! Wow, this is wonderful! Living in Arizona, with no humidity, I know exactly what you mean about our poor, dried out utensils (not to mention our hands!). I was wondering if you think this would also work on my sad, but very small wood floor in my kitchen. It has certainly seem better days! Thanks so much for sharing!
Diane Brown
Glendale, Arizona
Mineral oil has long been used as a wood conditioner Diane; it’s even sold in Home Depot for that purpose. The beeswas just makes it a thicker and more emollient product; I would try a small section and see what you think. If your floor has varnish, it is not going to penetrate though, just an fyi.
I have a wooden box I got while traveling in Zanzibar. I lugged that thing with me on safari (it’s about two feet by two feet, and a foot or so deep). Over the years, it has dulled, and I think this would give it the beautiful look it had when it was new.
I need this stuff…my cutting board and wood utensils are thirsty for this
Wow, this is awesome! I know more than one person I could give this too. I’d love to win :)
The giveaway ended a bit ago Jennifer but it’s easy enough to make; I’m sure your friends would LOVE some from you!
This is a great idea and the before and after picture has convinced me I need this :)
We all need some wood butter in our lives Carla!
In 1976, my father gave me a walnut mountain dulcimer that he had custom made for me in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. After all these years, it no longer looks its best, and I’m wondering if this is the answer. I have been unable to find anything, commercially, that claims to be safe on musical instruments. This recipe has me very curious. I would love to try it. My dulcimer is unfinished.
Mac C.
I would test a bit and see what you think…I like that it’s not a hard finish and I’m assuming it would renew the wood without affecting it adversely. It might need a couple of applications.
Do you think this would work for all wood furniture? I’d like to try it on my oak kitchen table. Or is it just for unfinished wood?
I am making this as soon as I get home! How often do you have to apply the butter to your wood tools?
It all depends on how often you use them. I do everything every couple of; they need it pretty bad by then!
I am so happy to have found your lovely blog and especially this post. I live in a 1730′s house and have a lot of wood cooking pieces in my kitchen. This will certainly bring a lot of my antiques that I use for cooking back to life.
Karen (Back Road Journal) Most Recent Post: Not Your Average Turkey
Perfect Karen. It is great stuff; inexpensive to made and really makes a difference. Make sure you find your mineral oil in the drugstore aisle at the grocery; I needed more and stopped by Home Depot. Hmm, there fancier plastic bottle of the same stuff as a wood condition was $9 vs the mineral oil sold at the drug aisle at the grocery for $1.45. Not kidding!
Love this! I’m definitely pinning this and going to try to remember it for next year’s Christmas gifts!
Don’t wait that long…maybe Mother’s Day. I’m giving some with a set of wooden spoons to one friend. Besides YOU need some!
I made it today! I cut the recipe in half, since I won’t be sharing it soon. I sent one to the workshop with DH. He usually uses mineral oil on anything that will go in the kitchen, but I think this will be better. It feels great on hands that have seen too much dish water. I got 3 half pints from half the recipe.
That’s perfect. I doubled it and got twelve! Everyone is getting some of this from me this year…and you are right; it is great for hands too.
I have a bunch of wood items that could use some love. One of my cutting boards just split in half at Thanksgiving!
sadly i did not win. also sad that i know i need this and will never make it.
ANYONE CARE TO SELL ME A JAR?
hello haha narf Most Recent Post: Flashback Via Text
How did I miss this one??? Sorry I’m so late. The wood butter looks amazing!
I am so thrilled to find this mixture. My husband makes the most wonderful wood items for my kitchen and I need to “butter” them. I’ll be making this as soon as I get the beeswax.
I have a few utensils that are crying for some TLC. What a great idea.
So easy too and great little gifts. Thanks for stopping by Jessie.
:+) Merry Christmas
And the same back to you Angela!
Brilliant! Especially now when wooden serving bowls and trays and boards are making a HUGE comeback! Can’t wait to make some and would LOVE to win some!
:)
V
My daughter is in the US so I guess I am still “in”?
The daughter in the US works…I supposedly cut it off last night but I’ll throw your name into random.org; it’s the holidays!
Looks gorgeous, B. I could have used your help tonight. Epic, colossal failure in the kitchen…. Will tell all and rehash tomorrow.
Wish I could have been there! Hoping next Saturday is warmer and not snowing; am excited to see everyone including you and the ‘bump.’ :)
I’m disqualified, being Canadian, but I’m glad Paula’s getting some! :) And I like this because it gives me another use for the beeswax I’m collecting from my beehives!
Now that is most special! I don’t want to offend my Canadian friends but shipping from here to there? You would think I wanted it to go to the moon or something. :)
Oh my goodness… I need to make this! Everyone in my family has lots of old wooden bowls and spoons that could use a little extra TLC. Love it!
I knew you would! Glad I begged you enough to get you over here Jen.
My mom would love this. She would use it for everything wood in her kitchen!
I have. I sort of did a search and amazing how much I found…plus I have a lot of butcher block boards all over; they love it too,
This is going on my to do list for holiday gifts!! You are amazing. What else is in that gift basket ? ;D
This year it’s going to be a pound of my home cured and smoked bacon, a pint of either cranberry or coffee liqueur, this mix and probably some cocoa and cayenne nuts. And I’m all done, just need to give out and ship a couple. Whew…love being done so early!
I plan to make some of this to give as Christmas gifts!
Lovely Pam…that’s where mine are headed. I’m also doing a swap this weekend…everyone brings something they’ve made and we barter with each other for stuff we want…swapping as it were.
This is great, Barb! I have a number of wood bowls that we were given for our wedding that could use a little lovin’!
Love Butter it is.
This is so awesome, and I had never even heard of it. I’d love it to repurpose some spoons I bought from the second hand store for props. How does the wax hold up to washings? Just wondering.
It holds up for a bit Nelly but I don’t wash my things so much as wipe them down. Except the spoons; you can see they get a lot of use and yes, some abuse!
I love this idea, I generally oil my boards, bowls and spoons but everything is betta with butta, right? Hee, hee. I have this wonderful old weathered, handmade wooden “bread” board that I got at a garage sale that would be the first thing to try it on. The word “bread” is carved in relief on it. Love this board. And then there’s the wooden spoon my brother-in-law made for me.
Oh my gosh, this stuff is amazing! Even if I don’t win, thanks so much for sharing it, Barb. I have lots of wooden things that need some TLC.
What a great idea! We have really low humidity here as well, and I admit that I don’t always treat my wood items very well… Now, are you sure you don’t want my firstborn? Maybe just for a week or so? He loves the cold weather and always wants to go somewhere that it snows (we have cold, but very little moisture in winter).
Darn! I was in it all the way until that last one about having to live in the US!
I have a bowl, that is big and beautiful and it could really do with a bath of your beautiful bowl butter. However, now that you have shared your recipe, I will just have to make a batch of my own. Lovely idea Barb for Christmas Culinarians!
I am so glad you posted this. I’ve got several wooden utensils and cutting boards that need some protection after many years of use…and I seem to always forget to get some. I’m going to try this.
it is quite possible that you might be a mind reader because just a few days ago i was looking at all of my wooden utensils and deciding that i needed to find a way to perk them up. several belonged to my mother first and i would hate to lose them…they are much more to than just a few wooden spoons and salad forks now that she is no longer living. i’m absolutely thrilled to see the gorgeous difference in the items you posted and truly hope my pieces rebound as beautifully. thank you for this sweepstakes (yes, i read the rules!). here’s to hoping for a christmas miracle, because i can only imagine the mess if i try to make this concoction!
Thanks for this. I wonder if you could use almond oil instead of mineral oil?
Neat! I love this–all your wood looks beautiful, very impressive :)
What a great post. I would never have thought of something like this, but I need it for all of my wooden utensils. This would make a great Christmas present too!
Thanks for sharing! Many wooden things at my place need that butter!
The treated bowls and utensils look beautiful! I have so many items that need to be “buttered”. I will definitely be making this for gifts to share with friends and family (and myself). Thank you for sharing the recipe!!
The difference of your wooden utensils/bowls, etc. is amazing! I copied the recipe. Thanks!
the cats litter box at yahoo dot com
I had to do that Lyn…nothing quite like a before and after to really show how it works is there?
Very clever. I have a whole collection of wooden bowls, platters and utensils from Hawaii that need a good dousing. Your “after” photo looks so good. Williams Sonoma will be sad to lose this $7.00 a bottle wooden utensil oil customer.
I love Williams Sonoma too but now plan to save you the big bucks! My birthday and I’ll bring the gifts!
Great idea – though if I don’t win I’ll make some anyway….I have so many tools/platters that could use some love!
And if you do win you’ll make some eventually anyhow!
Brilliant! I have purchased similar products to moisturize my bamboo cutting boards. As you said the dryness here is a challenge for wood but couple that with something one rinses frequently and your done for. I love the DIY opportunity here and definitely think it’s a perfect stocking stuffer too. Great idea Barb. BTW other post did NOT show up yet in email; this one did.
Easy, inexpensive and something every cook will love; how can you go wrong? I’m making 24 more jars of it this weekend. Wood Butter R Us!
Can you share the source of the small gift size jars?
I just got them at Walmart Barb, they are often at the grocery too; just the standard 4oz ball jar I think.
Thank you, they just didn’t look like Ball jars from here! I am not sure my stores have the 4 oz. The only small size I have are the 8 oz. I use for marmelade. I will be in the city tomorrow, maybe I can find something there. I want to do a couple for gifts.
I just love this. What a great gift idea for the foodies in your life. Thank you for sharing this easy but useful recipe.
I saw your tweets about wood butter and wondered what kind of butter you were making out of what kind of wood. This make a lot more sense. One of my friends just started keeping bees as a hobby. Maybe I can get some wax from her …
I want some wood butter! I have been trying to retore some old boards with just mineral oil, this stuff looks way better, can’t wait to try it out.
Thanks for the recipe, it looks nice and easy… I like nice and easy :) Even though the humidity here in Auckland is generally quite high, I’m sure that my wooden kitchen items would enjoy a bit of a spruce up.
I have a butcher block that I have tried many products on but none have helped revive it. Maybe this would do the trick.
My bowls need some lovin’ and my spoons need to shine like the Chrysler Building!:)
Looks like we could all use some wood butter! Great find – thanks for sharing, Barb!
I have a few wooden items that can benefit from wood butter–what a great thing to have handy. Love the before and after shots–the difference is so clear. Awesome!
This is wonderful! I rarely use my wooden items just because I am worried about them wearing out. If I don’t win this (or even if I do actually) I need to make some!
Just use them…no point in having them if you don’t. If they get a bit rough just a light sanding (same with cutting boad) and some of this butter and they would be like new. The ones in the photo. Must be 15+ years old!
This is awesome – you know i buy something similar that you put on your dog’s paws especially if they are cracked. I bet this would work great there too. Very cool post!
Thank you! I also buy something for Abbie my dog; Bag Balm it’s called. It smells a bit medicinal and this is odorless so I do like that better.
My low humidity is a problem too. I suppose if its safe for bowls it might be a great balm for my poor withered cutting board too. GREG
I know it would Greg; it’s like magic on mine!
Ok, you get the sympathy vote…or your cutting board does. It would cheer it up a lot Greg!
How brilliant is this!? I have so many things in my kitchen that could benefit from a good rubdown with a little wood butter. Fantastic, Barb!
Thank you Lana; you can imagine if you have issues in the humid south just how much it’s important here. You have your humidity and ours. :)
And so easy too. Except for that was laden measuring cup it’s no big deal to put together. Making some more Saturday…I want a huge inventory!
absolutely FABULOUS!!! i would never, ever have thought such a thing existed . . . i have used plain ol’ mineral oil on my boards and they are fine . . . just fine . . . but i’m thinking the addition of beeswax would be the bees knees!!!
Much more emollient and for lack of a better word, just a richer look Deb. Like you’ve I’ve managed w/o the beeswax for years but there is a difference and besides, a much nicer gift than a bottle of mineral oil. :)
I have a butcher block table that I’d love to freshen up. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Most welcome Kristen…I think I love most how it keeps my large butcher blocks look so nice. You should take before and after pics too.
I saw this post and immediately thought of my mother. She has boards and spoons in desperate need of conditioning. She has butcher block oil but hates uses it since it is liquid and gets everywhere whenever she tries. A more solid wood butter is exactly what she needs.
I like that about it too…very emollient but not running all over the place. Perfect I say!
What a fun project. I’d love a jar of the “wood butter”. ::wink:: ::wink:: Hee, that made me giggle. Great post Barb!
xoxo
Heather
Yes, you and a couple of others who got carried away with the term; I had to ignore them!
That’s such a good idea. I bet it would season cast iron really well also! I’ve been wanting cute wood bowls but it seems like one more thing I would have to try to not ruin.
Ohhh huh! I’d love a jar of that. My husband is a wood turner and he just made the most lovely French rolling pins that could use a coat. Thanks.
I have some wooden bowls and an ancient rolling pin that could use some lovin’.
For sure the wooden handles of my trusty knives could use a little TLC. Once I got started, my wooden cutting boards could use a little rubbing and buffing as well!
I loved this post. I am a sucker for wood and have a ton of wood utensils, bowls, &cutting boards. I use each and every one of them so I am constantly conditioning them with wood oil. Would live to give the wood butter a try!
Love your posts!
Wow the before and after is huge. I have some old wooden bowls and utensils from my grandparents that could use a good rub with some of that stuff.
Oh—that looks awesome! I might have to make some for little Christmas presents :)
My cutting board & rolling pin could both use some wood butter love!
Barb, this is a fabulous fabulous thing. I didn’t see Wendi’s first post, and now I’m regretting it. My butcher block is in desperate need of this stuff.
I saw your tweet to me first thing this a.m. but had to leave the house at 7:30 for appt’s in the city. Just getting a chance now to visit and you know I’d be here with or without that tweet! How sweet of you to send me a jar of this!!! I know I’m going to love it! In fact, I’m going to my local organic store tomorrow to see if they carry bees wax. I want to make jars of this for gifts!! I would think that this wood butter would be wonderful for any natural wood product that doesn’t have a protective finish on it (varathaned etc.) already. I’m just wondering, in case some of us can’t find bees wax if using paraffin wax would work the same?
Thank you Barb, for sending me a jar of this, for your kind words and for the link. Big Hugs :)
I love this idea! I have some wood spoons that are in desperate need of this :) And what a fun gift would this nmake!?! I thin a nice spoon and butter set would be a perfect holiday present set!!
WOO HOO!! I just found my “hostess gift” for the holidays!!! Can’t wait to make up a big batch of this – even have the cute little jars to put it in!! I have about 100 things to use this for – cutting boards, wooden spoons, bowls, platters, etc. !!
Ok, in the spirit of “paying it forward” let me share my dad’s method for cleaning and caring for wooden cutting boards – these instructions came with every board he made!! To clean your board DO NOT EVER immerse in water. Period. This warps the wood and if your board is a butcher block style, it will crack and weaken. Instead wipe the board off with a damp sponge and only a little soap and ONLY if you are working with fish, meat, poultry or pork.
To get rid of stains and “smells” get some kosher salt (Kosher works best but if you don’t have it regular table salt will work) and a fresh lemon. Sprinkle the salt over the board and cut the lemon in half, using the lemon half as a scouring pad scrub the board with the salt/lemon. When you finished scrubbing , wipe away the salt and lemon with a cloth. Finish with some of the “board butter” and you are good to go!!!
WOW
Totally LOVE this!!!!
Also, makes me think I should start thinking twice when I see “old” kitchen utensils at garage sales!!! What a fantastic way to rehab them!!
Definitely Pining this!
I saw your tweet come through about this butter last night. This is amazing!! I wish you were my neighbor and I would get some for Christmas:)Love this.
Me too. Butter, coffee, coffee cake. Boo that we are so far apart.
Love your description…because it is both necessary and indulgent. Thank you for sharing the wood butter love!
Let’s spread it far and wide…it’s too simple and such a great gift. I think I’m going to buy some wooden spoons and gift the two of them together.
I can’t believe it took me so long. Mostly because I only occasionally get to Walmart and then I remember as I’m leaving and think, ‘Oh I’ll get it next time.’ Or…I’m too tired to walk all the way to the other side of the store.’ So I bought those four bottles and now need four more! Thank you Wendi; could not have done it without you!
Hello, I am totally enjoying your blog and all the recipe’s!!!
The Wood “utensil” Butter ;) looks wonderful!!!!!!
I am eager to make a batch. I was wondering how long do you think the jars with their lids on them would keep? I realize they are not processed or actually sealed. I am thinking the bee’s wax would probably keep forever like a candle, but would the mineral oil eventually begin to break down and go rancid or not? (it must be a pure sterile product since it can be safely used internally) What has your experienxce been with the shelf life after it is capped?
Thank you for your help. Keep up the nice work here!! :)
Only vegetable and other organic oils go rancid. MINERAL oil can’t go rancid, it can only evaporate. The speed of evaporation will depend on the amount of open surface area, room temperature, and the weight of the oil. It usually comes in light and heavy, with “baby” being light with scent added. In a jar it will evaporate VERY slowly. If you wipe some around the inside of the cap, on the threads, before you close it, the seal will be even better.
And that’s exactly why it’s used for this purpose Dave! I’ve seen some folks pin this post and say they would not use mineral oil since it’s a byproduct of petroleum (the sky is falling!!) and then suggest olive or walnut oil…both of which can go rancid. I gave up trying to police their bad advice; hoping people would come to the source.
I suppose it does depend on use Jen; you and I might use them with regularity and it’s a non issue but I have to be careful what I suggest on this blog…someone else could oil a butcher block that is rarely used and end up with a problem so I have to take the safest route and using mineral oil was it.
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