chestnut food safe oil - what is it like?

[banoffee]

i'm thinking of getting some of this to use on a pestle/mortar, chopping boards etc. i have not used it before and wonder if it is any good? would it allow the the item to be wiped clean with a wet cloth? i assume soap would strip it. can you use beeswax/woodwax 22 over it to get a sparklier finish? and any tips on applying it?

i've been turning for about 2 years now but i get the impression you need to have been at it for a good decade before you stop being a novice :wink: so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[paulm]

It seems to be liquid paraffin (mineral oil) with some added dryers as far as I can tell. Used it on a few salad bowls to good effect and fine to wipe down with a damp cloth. Needs reapplying every so often as it does seem to dry out over time and a quick refresh brings the item back to life again. Soapy water would speed the drying out and needing to reapply I would think.

It does give a matt/satin finish rather than gloss. Using wax over the top may well not work given the oil finish underneath but I'm not certain, but would defeat the purpose of using the food safe oil finish in the first place ? Wax wouldn't be suitable for a pestle and mortar, it wouldn't last long with the grinding/pounding, would transfer to the food to some extent and would be difficult to clean.

If using the oil just pour a bit in and wipe it around all surfaces liberally, leave for ten minutes or so to soak in a bit and then wipe off the surplus to avoid a sticky, messy layer, then repeat two or three times more over a couple of days or so.

Leaving the wood bare is another option that many take.

Welcome to the forum by the way !

Cheers, Paul

 

[Grahamshed]

What Paul said and welcome to the forum.

 

[CHJ]

It's :-
British Pharmacopoeia BP1998 Light Liquid Paraffin
US Pharmacopoeia USP XXIII Light Mineral Oil

Basic property being because it is the Light grade it penetrates slightly easier than the normal Chemists brands and commercial veterinary brands and dries off quicker.
I suspect using with another product would negate the food safe certification but I doubt waxes based on beeswax and carnauba wax would be significant on that front. (they are both food safe)
However if you coat it in a wax then, assuming you do not get a blotchy finish where the wax 'take' has varied because of any oil difference in drying, it will of course prevent any thorough recoating when the oil/wax seal deteriorates.

Yes it will stand a gently swill under a cold tap or wet cloth wipe and a drying off, use of soap or washing detergent will rapidly remove the surface protection.

 

[banoffee]

thanks! i will get some and have a go. perhaps not bother with the woodwax though!