African IROKO

[Badger Al]

Hi , anyone know if African Iroko can be used for chopping boards just purchased a job lot so I thought I'd make some chopping boards though I have heard it's a poisonus wood so not sure about it .

 

[ED65]

The main concern with all woods that are potentially toxic is your safety when working it, rather than to users of the finished article. But that said, iroko is known to be particularly irritating. If in doubt don't use it.

HSE document on toxic woods if you've not seen it, http://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/wis30.pdf

 

[Trevanion]

I think Iroko is one of the main timbers you can get kitchen worktops in besides Oak.

Main thing with it is the dust which is pretty nasty stuff, not sure if the oils in the timber are toxic or not.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

For decades the restaurant in the hotel where I worked used iroko boards for planked steaks - they were about the only wood that didn't split when left under a grill and soak up everything put on them. I never heard a complaint or knew them to cause any problem. Whether it could be done today is of course another thing.

 

[woodbloke66]

The main concern with all woods that are potentially toxic is your safety when working it, rather than to users of the finished article. But that said, iroko is known to be particularly irritating. If in doubt don't use it.

HSE document on toxic woods if you've not seen it, http://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/wis30.pdf

Absolutely. It's horrible, nasty stuff to use and I for one find the dust irritates my hooter and tubes, but once it's been made into something it's brown and bland and ought not to cause any problems. Good also outdoors - Rob