Sealing the Deal: Choosing the Best Food Safe Wood Stain and Finish

When it comes to finishing wooden objects that will come in contact with food, it’s crucial to use a non-toxic, food-safe option. While all dry modern finishes are safe, some wet finishes contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that require proper ventilation during application. As a master woodworker, I recommend focusing on natural, food-safe finishes that won’t compromise health.

There are several excellent options for food-safe wood finishes that protect the wood while keeping food surfaces safe for contact. Top choices include shellac, a natural resin secretion that creates a protective film, and tung oil, derived from the tung tree nut, which penetrates deep into the wood for waterproofing. Beeswax and mineral oil are ideal for items like cutting boards that require frequent reapplication for optimal food prep. For a unique look, concentrated coffee or tea can be used to safely stain the wood before sealing it with beeswax or another non-toxic polish.

The ideal food-safe finish depends on the demands of the application. For surfaces like butcher blocks that endure heavy wear, tung oil is the premium choice for its durability and rich finish. Shellac offers great protection for lighter-use boards and serving pieces. Mineral oil excels at protecting porous cutting boards from moisture damage. With the range of natural, non-toxic options now available, woodworkers can keep all their food-contact creations safe while enhancing their beauty.

The Dangers of Using Non-Food Safe Finishes

Many modern wood finishes contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be toxic if inhaled. VOCs are carbon-containing chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. Common VOCs found in wood finishes include formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, and acetone.

When you apply a finish containing VOCs, those vapors are released into the air as the finish dries. This makes application of VOC-containing finishes a hazard unless you have proper ventilation. However, the bigger concern with using non-food safe finishes is the risk of chemical leaching.

If a finish hasn’t fully cured, the VOCs and other chemicals can leach out of the finish into food and liquids. This poses a health hazard, especially for surfaces like cutting boards, utensils, and butcher blocks that will come in direct contact with food. Using a food-safe finish formulated without toxic chemicals is critical for these types of kitchen surfaces.

Short-term exposure to VOCs may lead to eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Long-term exposure has been linked to damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. And by leaching into food prep surfaces, VOCs can end up being ingested. This makes finishes containing VOCs a very poor choice for items that will come in contact with food.

Some specific health risks from common VOCs found in finishes include:

• Formaldehyde – Linked to cancer, respiratory issues
• Toluene – Headaches, liver and kidney damage
• Xylene – Neurotoxic, heart palpitations
• Ethylbenzene – Headaches, liver damage, asthma
• Acetone – Eye/throat irritation, CNS depression

It’s crucial to note that all modern finishes are considered food-safe once fully cured, meaning the finish has hardened completely and any VOCs have dissipated. But during the application and curing process, non-food safe finishes can be hazardous. Using a food-safe finish formulated without VOCs or other toxic chemicals eliminates this hazard while providing durable protection for kitchen surfaces.

The Benefits of Using Food Safe Finishes

Beyond just being non-toxic, food-safe wood finishes offer many advantages:

Protection

Food-safe finishes protect wooden surfaces from moisture, stains, marks, and general wear and tear. This helps maintain the beauty of the wood while extending the useful life of kitchen items like cutting boards, utensils, and butcher block surfaces. The protection provided by food-safe finishes is especially important for surfaces like cutting boards that endure a lot of abuse. The finish helps prevent moisture from warping the wood, food stains from discoloring it, and general scrapes and cuts from damaging the surface. This protection preserves both the functionality and visual appeal of wood kitchen surfaces.

Enhanced Natural Beauty

While providing protection, food-safe finishes also enhance the inherent natural beauty of the wood. Finishes help bring out the depth of color and visual interest of the wood grain patterns. When applied to boards, utensils, furniture, and other wooden pieces, food-safe finishes highlight the uniqueness of each wooden object, enhancing its natural variations and characteristics. The finish adds vibrancy while letting the beauty of the wood shine through.

Non-Toxic

Since food-safe finishes are formulated without VOCs or other harmful chemicals, they are non-toxic and won’t leach potentially dangerous compounds into food. This makes them ideal for finishing cutting boards, utensils, bowls, rolling pins, and any other wooden surfaces that will come in contact with food. You don’t have to worry about chemicals transferring onto food even when hot liquids or oils are directly on the wood. This provides peace of mind that your handcrafted kitchen items are truly safe for food prep.

Easy Maintenance

Many food-safe finishes, especially oils and waxes, are very easy to apply and reapply as needed. This makes maintaining wooden kitchen surfaces very simple. As oils dissipate over time, you can quickly reapply a fresh coat of food-safe mineral or tung oil. Wax finishes can also be easily replenished with a quick rub-on application. Keeping wood surfaces conditioned with these food-safe finishes takes just minutes. Being able to easily maintain your cutting boards, utensils, and other wood pieces helps them stay looking their best for years to come.

Durability

While quick and easy to apply, many food-safe finishes also deliver great durability and longevity. Tung oil, for example, polymerizes as it cures, forming a protective barrier in the wood. This makes it highly resistant to moisture, stains, and mars. Shellac is another extremely durable food-safe finish. It can stand up to heavy use on cutting boards, butcher blocks, and prep surfaces while remaining non-toxic. The durability of finishes like these helps wooden kitchen items withstand years of regular use while retaining their beauty. Their protective qualities also minimize the need for intensive maintenance over time.

Types of Food-Safe Finishes

There are several major categories of food-safe wood finishes, each with their own characteristics and benefits:

Film Finishes

Film finishes provide a protective coat or “film” on top of the wood surface. These finishes offer good durability, abrasion resistance, and water/stain resistance. They also highlight the natural color and grain of the wood.

• Shellac – One of the most popular food-safe film finishes is shellac. Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug found in Thailand and India. It is processed and sold as dry flakes, which are dissolved in denatured alcohol to make liquid shellac. Shellac provides a natural non-toxic finish that dries quickly into a hard, durable, and water-resistant film. It brings out a warm wood tone and can be used on cutting boards, utensils, boxes, and many other wood projects. Shellac is easy to apply but does require some skill to apply evenly without leaving brush strokes. It also does not provide much abrasion resistance on its own and is susceptible to damage from alcohol, heat, and water. This can be improved by applying multiple coats for added durability.
• Lacquer – While regular lacquer contains VOCs, water-based or plant-based lacquers can provide a food-safe film finish option. Water-based finishes contain acrylic polymers suspended in water rather than harsh solvents. Plant-based lacquers use natural oils or resins in place of petroleum derivatives. These provide a durable finish without toxic VOCs. But plant-based lacquers may still contain some solvents, so verify the product is food-safe before using on kitchen surfaces. Lacquer provides more abrasion resistance than shellac but is not quite as moisture and stain resistant.

Oil Finishes

Oil finishes penetrate into the wood pores to provide a protective coating that retains the natural look and feel of the wood. Oils are easy to apply but some require sanding between coats. Food-safe oils include:

• Tung Oil – Extracted from the seeds of the tung tree, tung oil offers great durability and water resistance. It penetrates deep into the wood, hardening over time to provide a protective, waterproof finish. Tung oil is a premium option that enhances the natural grain and provides superior stain resistance. It does take longer to cure fully but offers great longevity. Tung oil is ideal for items like cutting boards, bowls, and utensils that need maximum protection.
• Mineral Oil – Mineral oil, often called liquid paraffin, offers a food-safe, non-toxic option for items like cutting boards, salad bowls, and wooden spoons. It is odorless, tasteless, and derived from petroleum. Mineral oil doesn’t cure but remains liquid which allows it to penetrate the wood deeply. It is easy to apply by hand and reapply whenever needed. Mineral oil won’t go rancid or rot and provides light protection from stains and moisture. It is not as durable or water-resistant as other finishes, but is excellent for items in frequent use that need periodic reconditioning.
• Walnut Oil – Expressed from walnut kernels, walnut oil provides a semi-drying food-safe finish. It takes longer to dry than mineral oil but still penetrates well and won’t go rancid. Walnut oil provides light protection from moisture and stains. It is ideal for items like bowls, boards, utensils and furniture that need refreshed periodically. Walnut oil also brings out a rich, warm wood tone.
• Beeswax Oil – A blend of beeswax, mineral oil (or tung/walnut oil) and citrus essential oils. This provides deeper penetration than wax alone and a pleasant scent. Beeswax gives it more water repellency than oil alone. The oil carries the wax into the wood pores to seal and protect the surface. Beeswax oil blends are excellent for wood utensils, kitchen surfaces, and cutting boards.

Wax Finishes

Wax finishes are applied in a thin layer on top of the wood for a protective coating. They are softer than film finishes and oils so provide less abrasion resistance. Wax also offers less moisture resistance. But wax finishes are very simple to apply and maintain with a gentle buffing. Food-safe waxes include:

• Beeswax – Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees. On its own, it provides minimal protection but is completely food-safe. It helps resist water rings but not direct moisture contact. Beeswax is often combined with oil or shellac to boost its protective qualities. Used alone, beeswax is easy to apply and buff to a soft glow. It is best for small kitchen items that need occasional reconditioning like spoons, bowls, and boards.
• Carnauba Wax – For a harder wax with more protection, carnauba palm wax is a good option. It provides more moisture and stain resistance than beeswax. Carnauba wax is used in wood polish blends, and can also be applied directly for light protective coating. It is a good topcoat over oil or shellac finishes. As a harder wax, carnauba wax needs to be softened with heat before application, so takes a bit more effort to use. But it offers good food-safe protection for lighter use kitchen items and surfaces.

DIY Food-Safe Finishes

There are also many do-it-yourself options for creating food-safe finishes:

• Salad Bowl Finish – A simple blend of food-safe mineral oil and beeswax. Melt the wax in the oil over low heat then allow to cool. Apply liberally to wood then wipe away excess. Provides light protection for salad bowls, spoons and boards. Reapply whenever needed.
• Coconut Oil – Pure food-grade coconut oil provides a plant-based finishing option. It penetrates well and cures to a hard film over time. Offers good moisture and stain resistance. Best for bowls, utensils, and other small projects.
• Coffee or Tea – Used grounds or tea bags soaked in water make a natural stain. Apply to wood with steel wool or brush, allow to dry, then finish with shellac or wax.
• Olive or Avocado Oil – High quality food-grade olive or avocado oil can be used similarly to walnut oil. Provides a non-toxic penetrating oil finish. Great for utensils, boards and furniture.
• Citrus Oils – Food-safe extracts like lemon, orange, or grapefruit infuse wood with pleasant scent. Mix into oil or wax finishes or use alone for light protection. Helps finishes resist rancidity.
• Pure Tung Oil – While harder to find, pure tung oil with no additives or petroleum distillates provides a premium DIY finish. Requires multiple coats for best protection.

Comparing the Pros and Cons of Finishes

There is no one perfect food-safe finish for all applications. Consider these factors when selecting a finish for your next kitchen wood project:

Protection Level

• Film finishes and penetrating oils offer the most durable protection for kitchen surfaces and utensils.
• Waxes alone provideminimal water and stain resistance.
• Tung oil is most protective oil. Shellac is most protective film finish.

Application Method

• Oils are easiest to apply – simply rub on by hand.
• Wax is applied by softening with heat first.
• Shellac requires skill to apply without leaving brush strokes.
• Film finishes need good technique to avoid drips.

Durability

• Tung oil provides greatest durability, hardening over time.
• Shellac is very durable.
• Oils like walnut and mineral oil are least durable.
• Wax finishes are easy to damage.

Maintenance

• Wax and mineral oil need frequent reapplication.
• Tung oil and shellac only need occasional touch ups.
• Oils and waxes are easiest to touch up.

Cost

• DIY finishes from oils, wax and citrus oils are cheapest.
• Tung oil is most expensive.
• Shellac, beeswax and carnauba wax are moderately priced.

Finish Appearance

• Oils enhance wood grain with a soft, natural look.
• Waxes also provide a subtle satin look.
• Shellac and lacquer have a harder gloss.
• Film finishes can go on unevenly if brushed poorly.

Comparison Table of Different Food Safe Wood Stains and Finishes

Recommended Uses for Food-Safe Finishes

The best food-safe finish depends on the specific kitchen item, the expected usage level, and your preferences for look and maintenance. Here are some recommended finishes for various wood projects:

Cutting Boards

Cutting boards endure a lot of abuse, so a protective finish is crucial. The finish needs to be non-toxic, moisture resistant, and easy to maintain.

• Mineral Oil – Mineral oil is the most common cutting board finish. It penetrates the wood to prevent moisture damage but remains liquid so it needs frequent reapplication. Simple to maintain by wiping on more mineral oil whenever the board looks dry.
• Beeswax Topcoat – A light coat of beeswax over mineral oil provides extra protection from moisture and surface abrasions. Reapply wax periodically to restore the protective barrier.
• Walnut Oil – Walnut oil is a good mineral oil alternative for darker colored wood boards. Provides a rich look.
• Salad Bowl Finish –blending beeswax into mineral oil helps keep moisture from penetrating the wood. Reapply frequently for best results.
• Tung Oil – Provides maximum protection but requires careful maintenance as reapplication can leave a tacky surface on a cutting board. Best for occasional reconditioning.

Utensils

For wood utensils like spoons, spatulas, and bowls, tung oil provides a durable, water-resistant finish. Other good options include:

• Tung Oil – Ideal for long-lasting protection with a natural look.
• Walnut Oil – Enhances darker wood tones beautifully.
• Shellac – Easy to apply and durable. Provides a nice film finish.
• Salad Bowl Finish – Light oil and wax blend to maintain unfinished utensils.
• Beeswax – Simple rub-on application for light protection.

Butcher Blocks

Butcher blocks require a tougher finish to resist deep stains from meat juices and heavy chopping.

• Tung Oil – The premium finish for maximum protection. Long oil curing time pays off in longevity.
• Shellac – Durable film finish shields against moisture and staining.
• Walnut Oil – Enhances rich wood tones while providing light safeguarding.
• Beeswax Topcoat – A thin wax topcoat helps limit watermarks and stains.

Serving Boards & Bowls

Serving pieces see lighter use than cutting boards. Focus on enhancing beauty along with protection.

• Tung Oil – Resists moisture with a deep, rich penetrating finish.
• Shellac – Durable film finish brings out wood tones.
• Walnut Oil – Lovely for finishing bowls while protecting the wood.
• Beeswax Topcoat – Provides extra protection against water rings.
• Mineral Oil – Subtle enhancement with light protection.

Tips for Applying Food-Safe Finishes

Following some best practices will help you achieve the best results when applying food-safe finishes:

• Carefully sand wood before finishing to remove dust and prepare the surface.
• Wipe wood surface with a clean tack cloth before finish application to remove all dust particles.
• Work in a clean, dust-free area to minimize contamination.
• Stir finishes like shellac frequently as you apply them to keep solids suspended evenly.
• Follow manufacturer advised drying times between finish coats.
• Apply finishes in the direction of the wood grain for an even look.
• Maintain a wet edge as you apply penetrating oils to prevent lap marks.
• Remove excess wax or oil after application by thoroughly buffing with a clean cloth.
• Sand lightly between coats of film finishes like shellac for proper adhesion.
• Check for food-safety – avoid any finishes containing VOCs or toxic chemicals.
• Fully cure new finishes by waiting 1-2 weeks before use with food.

Taking your time to apply food-safe finishes properly ensures you’ll achieve beautiful, durable, and non-toxic results!

Frequently Asked Questions about Food Safe Wood Finishes

Conclusion

Choosing the ideal food-safe wood finish might seem overwhelming initially. But doing your homework on the different finish options for your particular project will pay off with stunning results and peace of mind that your handcrafted pieces are safe for food use.