Wood Butter

 

This conditioning butter is the perfect solution to wooden kitchen utensil handles and wood cutting boards that are looking a bit blah and dry.  

While you should always handwash these items (and hand dry them), they will, from time-to-time need a little extra care.  Rubbing on a small amount of wood butter and letting them sit for 24 hours while they soak it in will help your wood items last a lifetime.  How often you condition your utensils is up to you.  I would wait until they look like they need a bit of care and then give them a quick treatment.

I wanted to provide you a recipe that you can make very easily so I've batched it down.  Simply measure 2 ingredients into a 4 oz glass jar (or larger if you prefer) that can withstand some heat (I use jelly jars), place it in the microwave, stir, and let it cool.

Done.

It also makes a great gift at the holidays!

We think this butter is the perfect consistency - not too soft and not too firm.  It's easy to dip a cloth into for application, and goes on smooth.



Two Ingredients:

Coconut Oil - you can use any coconut oil, there is no need to buy a special one.  We use coconut oil because it's food safe and is one of the oils not prone to going rancid quickly.

Beeswax - it's easiest to measure out the beeswax pastilles (you can find them many places including Amazon) however, you can also grate beeswax and then measure.  **I have not tried this recipe using grated beeswax so you may have to adjust it slightly**


To Make:

〰  I find it easiest to measure into my 4 ounce jar (or larger if you desire) and melt it in that using a microwave.  This way I cut down on the dishes I'll need to clean.  You can certainly melt in a different bowl/container over a double boiler and then transfer the mixture into a jar if you prefer.

〰  You will need to stir the mixture a few times.  If you've ever worked with beeswax you know it can be difficult to clean up.  I recommend using something disposable such as a wooden skewer or wooden popsicle stick.  If you choose to use something non-disposable, it's easiest to clean it right away while it's still warm.

〰  The jar you use should be a wide mouth in order to easily dip a rag into it.

〰  If your jar is too full for all of the ingredients when you begin measuring them, place the jar in the microwave and set it for 40 seconds to melt some of it down before adding the remainder.

〰 To apply - use a soft, thin cloth.  I like to cut up old t-shirts to use.




The jar on the left is ready to be melted.  The jar on the right is finished and ready to use!

Recipe/Directions:

2 Tablespoons Beeswax Pastilles (or grated beeswax)
6 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
4 oz (or larger) heat resistant jar, wide mouth
1 wooden skewer/popsicle stick/stirrer

Into the jar, measure the coconut oil first and then the beeswax.  Place jar in the microwave for 45 seconds.  Stir, being careful not to spill any of the ingredients.  Continue to microwave in 25 second intervals, carefully stirring after each one, until completely melted.  Set aside to cool.

Place lid on the wood butter once it is completely cooled, a couple of hours, and store in a cool, dark place.  

To use:  Before conditioning your wooden cutting boards or utensils, make sure they are clean and dry.  Using a soft cloth, dip it into the wood butter taking a small amount, and buff it into the wood.  Allow to set overnight and then rub off any excess with a clean cloth the next day.  

5 comments

  1. I just recently heard of this...I have a few wooden spoons that definitely need some TLC, I honestly just thought of tossing them away. But this may do the trick and bring them back to life! Mary

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  2. Thanks Daisy. ☺

    Mary - yes, definitely try it. I think it will help. You may need to treat them a couple of times if they are super dry.

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  3. I found that Oui yogurt jars are the perfect size jars for this. You can find great lids for these jars on Amazon. Search for [oui yogurt jar lids]

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    Replies
    1. That's a great tip! Thanks so much for sharing, Myron.

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