Many Boos® cutting boards are reversible. What are the benefits and care tips for reversible boards?

Although Boos® Hard Maple cutting boards DO NOT harbor bacteria, it is a good habit to use separate cutting boards for different types of food prep. For example, use one for raw meat, poultry, or fish, and another for cooked or ready-to-eat foods such as salad, vegetables, and breads. This will ensure protection against cross-contamination and will prevent the spreading of certain foodborne bacteria such as E. coli.

A scientific study conducted by Dr. Dean Cliver, Ph.D. has proved that maple cutting boards inhibit bacteria growth, while plastic boards have been scientifically proven to harbor bacteria inside the cut grooves. Also, wood cutting boards are known to be easier on your expensive knife blades. Click here to read more on Dr. Dean Cliver's study.

Sprinkle kosher or table salt on your cutting board or butcher block and then use a damp sponge or paper towel to rub the stained or discolored area. The salt will absorb stains, flavors, and odors. For stubborn stains, try sanding down the area with a fine grit sand paper. It is very important to sand with the grain of the wood, never against the grain. This sanding process exposes a brand-new wood work surface. Once sanding is complete, it is recommended to treat your cutting board or butcher block with Boos Blocks® Mystery Oil and/or Boos Blocks® Board Cream with beeswax. These products protect the board and control its moisture content, keeping it from drying out, cracking or splitting.

Lemon or lime juice with a little salt will go a long way to reducing odor. Sprinkle your Boos® cutting board or butcher block with kosher or table salt. Then, cut a lemon or lime into quarters and use these quarters to rub the salt into the board or block, squeezing juice onto the wood surface as you go. Let sit for 2-3 minutes and then wipe the cutting board or butcher block clean with a damp cloth. Use a clean paper towel to remove excess water or let the board air dry by standing it on end.

Store your wood cutting board on end to dry if it is damp. If your cutting board is already dry, store it flat in a dry area away from extreme hot or cold temperatures.

We always recommend using both Mystery Oil and Board Cream but the Mystery Oil is always recommended to be used first. The Mystery Oil penetrates deeply through the wood fibers while the Board Cream is a denser, thicker formula that protects the top layer of the wood surface. Using both care and maintenance products will prolong the life of your Boos Blocks® cutting board.

• • Boos Blocks® Mystery Oil is an NSF-certified food-grade oil that easily absorbs and penetrates deeply into the grain of the wood to help protect, revitalize, and moisturize the wood fibers.
• • Boos Blocks® Board Cream contains all natural, unbleached beeswax and food-grade oil formula. The Board Cream is denser and thicker which gives a protective top layer to the wood surface against foods and liquids. It helps keep the water out and the oil in.

A minimum of once a month (depending upon the use and household conditions), apply an even coat of Boos® Mystery Oil to all surfaces of your wood cutting board or butcher block using a cloth or disposable towel. Allow the Mystery Oil to fully penetrate through the wood fibers overnight, then wipe off any excess oil. Apply additional oil to any visible dry spots or for any other necessary reasons. For additional protection, it is recommended to use Boos Blocks® Board Cream to seal the top of the wood surface in conjunction to the Mystery Oil. Apply an even coat of the Board Cream using a cloth or disposable towel. Allow the Board Cream to penetrate the wood surface overnight, then wipe off any excess cream. Our Boos Block cutting boards ship from the factory with a Boos Blocks® Cream Finish (with beeswax). When the cutting board becomes dry and lighter in color, you know that the time has come to re-oil your board. NOTE: Use only Boos Blocks® Mystery Oil or Boos Blocks® Board Cream when oiling your cutting board. A quick alternative would be to use mineral oil only. DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF COOKING OIL ON YOUR WOOD CUTTING BOARDS. THIS WILL DAMAGE YOUR BOARDS. With a minimum amount of care and maintenance, you can lengthen the life of your Boos® board or butcher block by many years. For further instructions, see our Care section.

End-grain cutting boards feature the end pieces of wood rails that are glued together into a traditional square pattern. During cutting or chopping, the end-grain wood fibers absorb the impact of the knife blade, allowing your knife to stay sharper and your board surfaces to stay smoother. Edge-grain cutting boards feature full length wood rails that span the entire length of the board. Edge-grain cutting boards feature a uniform thickness and true flat cutting surface. For more info, see our Material section.

Keep your Boos® cutting board or butcher block sanitized by simply washing it with hot soapy water after each use and dry it with a clean paper towel or let it air dry. If you want to sanitize the board more thoroughly, use a diluted mixture of chlorine bleach or vinegar solution that consist of one teaspoon of liquid chlorine bleach in one quart of water or a one to five dilution of vinegar. Do not soak or submerge the board in water, for this will disrupt the moisture content and cause the rails to split. Wood cutting boards are NOT dishwasher safe.

Varnique Finish is a smooth semi-gloss finish. This type of finish is used for aesthetic purposes or for general food preparation tasks, including rolling dough, but you do not wish to cut upon it directly for it will damage the varnique finish. This finish requires low maintenance and can be easily cleaned with mild soap and warm water and will not need to be refinished or re-oiled. Varnique is also more resistant to water spotting and staining. If the varnique surface is cut, it will need to be resealed.

Natural Penetrating Oil Finish is a type of finish used for cutting surfaces and is food-safe. The natural oil finish seals and protects the surface of the wood and unlike with the varnique finish, you can directly cut upon the surface. It is recommended to re-oil the wood surface every 3-4 weeks depending on your usage. This maintenance keeps the cutting board or butcher block from drying out and helps preserve it and extend its life over time. Natural oil finishes can easily be sanded and re-oiled for a like-new appearance.

One design feature of many Boos Blocks® boards is that they are reversible. Reversible boards expand the utility: two work surfaces on which to chop, slice, dice and mince. Both sides are to be used equally to prepare different food types. If the board slides during use, place a dry (not wet) non-slip mat under the board.
When not in use, ensure the board does not sit in any moisture. It is important after hand washing to allow the board to air-dry while resting it on its edge or by placing it in a rack.