Wooden utensils and cutting boards are so versatile and can last a long time if you care for them properly. Pap made all the cutting boards you see in the picture, and he has given many more away to family and friends. One of my older, small cutting boards started to split and there was no saving it. Pap had an extra one in his shop and told me to make sure I rub some oil on it to preserve it. Without thinking, I used vegetable oil and now realize that was incorrect. Here's some ways to preserve your boards and utensils to last (hopefully!) a lifetime:
Use a Food-Grade Mineral Oil:
Oiling your boards prevents them from splitting and cracking over time. Using a different oil for cooking, like canola or corn oil, can go rancid and it will leave your boards with a nasty smell. While this didn't happen to me, I found a mineral oil online and it really brought everything back to life.
New utensils need seasoned more frequently (daily for the first week, then once/week for 3 weeks), then afterwards about once/month. I have read you can season everything 1-2 times a year, but I think it all depends on how much you use everything.
When seasoning, wash everything first then make sure they are completely dry to allow the oil to absorb properly. Follow the instructions on the oil you have, and do your research on what kind of oil works best for your items. It's pretty easy to find online.
How You Wash is Important:
When I was a student and had roommates, one of them decided to put one of my boards in the dishwasher. Don't do this! The prolonged exposure to moisture and heat can ruin them and cause cracking/warping. Same goes for soaking in dishwater. Thankfully, I caught it (mostly) in time before it was totally ruined (there was a slight warp causing the bottom to be uneven and wobbly when cutting).
Always hand-wash anything wooden and then allow to air dry. If possible, make sure you place your board on a drying rack so that all sides can allow air to circulate and prevent mold. If you do notice mold, there's no getting rid of the mold without getting rid of the board.
To get rid of smells from strong foods like garlic or onions, wipe down/spray your board in a 50/50 vinegar and water mixture or using a half a lemon cut-side down. Allow to air dry by propping upright in the dishrack. It may just temporarily smell like vinegar or lemons.
Troubleshooting a Damaged Board:
Over time, your board may become very scratched and look dry. You may need to sand down the board using fine-grit paper by hand or even use a sander. Wash and oil as normal.
If your board gets split or cracked, you can either take it into a professional or just get a new one. I guess you can try to fix it yourself, but that involves taking it apart, sanding it, then putting it back together. I would opt to get the new board and make sure it is properly taken care of.
By following everything above, all of your wooden utensils and boards should last a long time.
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