I have a store-bought end grain cutting board that's around 1.5 inches thick and has warped quite a bit. I've neglected it for some time, and now the ends curve up like a bowl when it's flat. To try and fix this, I soaked it overnight in mineral oil and placed weights on top. I checked on it after about six hours—some improvement, but there's still a noticeable curve. I'm wondering, how long should I wait before I can tell if it just won't work? When does it stop being pliable?
4 Answers
Soaking it in mineral oil might not have been the best move. If the board warped because it wasn’t dried properly before its last use, then trapping moisture with oil isn't helping. Plus, mineral oil is kind of an outdated choice for cutting boards because it never cures. You might want to reconsider your approach!
But isn't it safe for food, and it won't go rancid? Isn’t that a plus?
You could try putting it in direct sunlight with the curve facing down. Check on it every half hour or so. It’s worked for me in the past—sometimes it flattens out, sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s worth a shot!
Mineral oil doesn’t dry, so it might take a while to see any significant changes. It’s tough to say exactly how long, but you could be waiting a bit. I’ve read that using water or steam on the opposite side might yield better results, especially if it’s really stubborn.
Honestly, it might take years before it flattens out, or you might just end up with a fancy bookshelf instead of a cutting board. Good luck!
Sure! Food-safe mineral oil is purified and safe for use. It doesn’t curing isn’t always bad; it can actually be beneficial for cutting boards.