Hey everyone, I'm feeling really bad about a mistake I made. I created several cutting boards using a mix of boiled linseed oil and beeswax for finishing, not realizing that BLO isn't food safe. They've cured for a while, but I can't, in good conscience, give them to family or friends. What are my options? Should I sand them down and refinish? Is it worth covering them with a different finish like shellac? Or should I just cut my losses and turn them into coasters? Maybe even look for a completely new hobby, like knitting? I'm open to any suggestions you've got!
4 Answers
Honestly, experts have mixed opinions here. Some say that if the finish has properly cured, it could be fine for food contact. Just keep in mind that wood finishes have chemicals that might not be ideal for kitchen use, even after drying. Better safe than sorry!
Or you could attach some small legs to turn them into end tables! Maybe use them as laptop stands instead? It's a fun way to repurpose them if they're too small for typical tables.
If you're not looking to salvage them for food use, you could always consider giving them away as decorative pieces. My partner has some cutting boards just for looks, and they add charm to the kitchen!
You might want to run them through a planer. Taking off about 1/16" from each side should do the trick. Just make sure to sand the edges down afterwards, especially if you had any juice grooves. That should make them safe for use again!
Thanks for the heads up, I’ll give that a try!
Just be cautious with end grain designs—it can tear up pretty easily in the planer!
That's actually a fantastic idea! Thanks!