I was curious if there are certain types of wood that are safe to use for food-related items like cutting boards or dining tables for kids. I had this thought about using a leftover piece of plywood, but then started worrying about the glue used in it possibly being unhealthy. Are there specific woods that are generally considered safe for eating and cooking?
3 Answers
You definitely want to consider porosity when choosing wood for cutting boards. Tight-grained woods are more sanitary, so woods like maple are preferable over oak or ash.
The wood database is a great resource for this! Most hardwoods are safe, including maple, walnut, cherry, and some tropical woods like kiaat. Just be cautious of specific woods that can be toxic, like Tamboeti. It’s worthwhile to check before deciding what to use.
Generally speaking, if a part of a tree is commonly eaten, then the wood from that tree is likely safe for cooking implements. Good options include fruit woods like apple or cherry, along with maple, beech, and walnut. Just a heads up, though, red oak isn’t the best choice due to its porous structure.