100% Food safe home made wood finish.

Hello everyone, I made my first salad bowl on the lathe and was searching for a low cost finish. I found a few different types that are 100% food safe they are mostly in-expensive but I am giving this bowl to my fathers nurse as a gift and I wanted to send her something with the bowl that she could apply herself.
The ingredients are as follows
1 part Beeswax
5 parts Mineral oil (I used CVS brand (make sure you go with "orderless and tasteless"))

I used a metal bowl inside of a pot and made a makeshift double boiler. Temp is not important. just make sure that when the water begins to boil lower the heat to a little more than simmer and do not use too much water.
The bowl should only "slightly" float until bottoming out in the pot of water.
after the bar of beeswax is melted stir it until it completely dissolves. then let it cool
It will harden to the consistency of chap-stick and smells wonderful. 

To use the finish simply wipe on the butcher block or any wood product that you want to be "food safe", then wipe off.

Comments

[killbox]

I just used beeswax and a heatgun. after two applications my wood tray looks great after about 2 years.

[garret72]

I have used the same recipe for wooden spoons, but found it needed to be reapplied to often. I have taken to using flax seed oil, basically food grade linseed oil. After applying a couple of good coats, I "cook" it in the oven at about 170 degrees until all the wet spots disappear. Works great I've found.

[SlickSqueegie]

The difference being, the spoons are going to see a lot more water and liquids as well as heat so I would think they will require much more care. As far as the "salad bowl" I think this finish will hold up well. I have had many people tell me that they need to re-apply the "beeswax/mineral oil" finish about once a year to salad bowls seeing regular use. I researched the finish for this bowl quite a bit before I chose this recipe.
If you look at the food grade finishes/conditioners out there on the market shelves, they are 10Xs the price and they are the same exact ingredients with the addition of some having orange oil added for a good scent.

Time will tell I guess... Thanks for your input. Its definitely something to consider and look into for future use.

[garret72]

Ah, yes well that's true. The spoons will see a lot more moisture and heat. As for other conditioners, they are a little pricey. It really seems that these more simple solutions work the best for such things. Keep up the good work!

[SlickSqueegie]

:) thanks

[SlickSqueegie]

I wanted to add that, If you take an empty children's paste stick and pour the melted finish in the stick it will harden to the same consistency of chap-stick for easy application. I made a few of them for future applications and for the new bowl owner for future applications to further protect the wood.

[rimar2000]

Beautiful bowl!

Thanks for sharing your recipe.

[SlickSqueegie]

Thank you! and your very welcome. Hopefully more instructables to come.