The cutting board in the photo is not just any cutting board. It was a present from my sister. As the “before” view shows, I went far too long before attempting to restore it. As the “after” view shows, the product I used helped refresh the board’s original matte luster.
My sister bought an Epicurean cutting board for me for Christmas a few years ago. The day after Christmas we took it back to a kitchen store called Sur La Table to exchange it for the next smaller size. The reason for the trade? The size she bought was too big to easily wash and wouldn’t fit in my dish-drying rack. My sister was OK with the trade when I told her that the smaller cutting board would get more use than the larger one. It has.
You can still buy an Epicurean cutting board similar to mine. One my size (14.5 by 11.3 inches) is listed on Amazon for about $40. Why not just order a new one and be done with it?
My sister passed on about two years ago. I treasure the presents she gave me over the years and the works of art she created that are displayed in my house. I wasn’t about to replace a gift like the cutting board if there’s a good way to prolong its life.
The product I used is called Howard Butcher Block Conditioner. It retails for about $10, about one-fourth the price of a new cutting board like mine. With one bottle, you can restore a dozen or more cutting boards (depending on size) or maintain a single cutting board for years. It’s made to work on wood but also works well on composite boards like an Epicurean. Best of all, it’s easy to use with no learning curve. Clean the board, rub on the conditioner with a soft cloth, let the mineral oil and beeswax go to work, then let it dry and buff it. That’s all there is to it. Because the mineral oil is of food grade, you don’t even need to wash the board again before using it.
I think my sister would like the results so much that I’m vowing not to wait so long before the next restoration.
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