What Is Board Butter Wood Conditioner and Why Do You Need It?
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What Exactly Is Board Butter?
Board butter is a blend of food-safe mineral oil & beeswax (sometimes with a hint of Irish magic). It’s rubbed into wooden boards to protect, hydrate, and revive the grain.
Think of it like a moisturiser for your board—except it keeps the wood from cracking, drying out, or soaking up smells. Its important that its unscented, as you dont want to transfer artificial scents to your food.
If you’ve invested in a wooden chopping board, butcher block, or serving platter—especially something handmade—you’ll want it to last for years. But wood, being natural, needs a little care. That’s where board butter comes in. It’s not for toast. It’s for your timber.
Why You Need It (Yes, Even If You Rinse Carefully)
Even the best chopping boards suffer over time. Regular washing dries out the wood, while knife marks can trap food particles. Eventually, your once-smooth surface starts to feel rough, tired, and—let’s be honest—sad.
Here’s what board butter does:
- Seals the grain to repel water and bacteria
- Revives dried-out wood and restores colour
- Extends the lifespan of your chopping board
- Prevents splitting or warping
- Keeps your board looking (and feeling) like the day you bought it
Handmade Board Butter from Saw Swag
At Saw Swag, we hand-make our own board butter in Athy, Co. Kildare using:
- Food-grade mineral oil for deep conditioning
- Pure beeswax from Dingle Co. Kerry & Carnauba wax to seal, protect & give a little lustre.
- Small batch production so you get a fresh tin every time
Whether you’re caring for one of our Irish-made butcher blocks or a board you’ve had for years, this little tin is your board’s best friend.
How to Use Board Butter
- Clean your board and let it dry fully.
- Scoop out a small amount of board butter.
- Rub it in with a cloth (or your hands – it’s safe!).
- Let it soak overnight.
- Buff it gently in the morning.
You only need to do this every few weeks, depending on use. It’s a 5-minute job that makes your board last for years.
Bonus: It Works on More Than Just Boards
Board butter also works on:
- Wooden spoons & spatulas
- Butcher blocks & countertops
- Salad bowls
- Wooden knife handles
- Charcuterie & serving boards
If it’s wood and it lives in your kitchen, board butter will keep it happy.
Where Can I Get Some?
You can grab a tin of our handmade board butter on our website here. It pairs perfectly with any of our end-grain chopping boards and makes a brilliant little add-on if you’re gifting a board to someone else.
Final Word
Looking after your wooden board is more than a chore—it’s part of the story of owning something real, natural, and made to last. With a bit of care (and the right butter), it’ll look better in five years than it did on day one.
Want to add board butter to your toolkit?
Check out the full range from Saw Swag, handmade in Kildare and shipped across Ireland.