Let’s Make: DIY Cutting Boards

DIY cutting boards for the win!

I’ve made DIY cutting boards before (this one). BUT not like these! I wanted to do something a bit more unique. Something that would stand out, sitting on the counter or as serveware when we have people over. But more importantly, something that still functioned as a cutting board – using the best food safe wood, oiling it properly, etc.

I did a lot of research and learned a ton along the way, so I’m sharing everything I learned in this tutorial.

My favorite of the three boards is definitely the long wiggly one (scalloped), but I love them all. Here’s how I made DIY cutting boards with just a few supplies from the hardwood store…

Why use a cutting board made of wood?

Wood is preferred by chefs and how cooks because they’re durable, generally wear better than plastic (so they can be used longer), are easy on knife blades, and easy to clean. Plus, they look cute imo. You can leave them out on the counter, use them as a serving platter for fruits, cheeses, charcuterie, etc.

I wouldn’t recommend using a wood cutting board to cut raw meat, but I use it for cutting everything else.

What kind of wood should you use for DIY cutting boards?

Generally, you’ll want to use a closed grain wood if you’re making cutting boards. This means the wood is durable and able to resist bacteria because of its small, basically invisible pores. Open grain woods have visible pores and soak up moisture and bacteria – not good for cutting boards.

And another thing you’ll want to consider is searching for food safe wood, which usually produce edible nuts, fruits, leaves, or sap.

I used maple wood for two of my cutting boards and I love the results. Maple is my favorite, personally. And also easy to find at hardwood stores at a high quality. So it’s my top pick. Other woods that are great for DIY cutting boards include: walnut, cherry, beech, and teak.

DIY Cutting Board Materials

• food safe wood of your choice
• jigsaw
• pencil
• bar clamps
• sander or sandpaper
• food safe cutting board oil
• cloth or rag

How to Make a Cutting Board

1. Drawing a design.

Start by drawing out your initial cutting board design with a pencil, so you can use it as a guide. I didn’t follow my drawings precisely when I started cutting. But it was nice to see the drawing, so I had an idea of the shape I wanted to create.

2. Clamp the wood.

Next, clamp your piece of wood down to the table or another sturdy surface, so the wood doesn’t move around while cutting.

3. Cut the board out with a jigsaw.

Then, using a jigsaw, carefully cut out the design you drew on the board in step one. I typically go slow with the jigsaw, so I can see where I’m cutting and it helps with precision too.

4. Sand the board.

Once the cutting is done, use a sander to sand every surface of the finished board (including the sides). You can also sand by hand, but it will take longer. A small detail sander is great for curved areas that are hard to get to with a larger sander. It’s also good for smoothing the interior areas of any handles you create, that would otherwise be difficult to get to for smoothing.

5. Oil and/or wax the board.

Once all the sanding is complete, wipe the board of any debris and use a cloth to evenly wipe the oil over the entire board – front, back, and sides. Let the oil sink in and repeat the process if necessary. Most of the things that I’ve read about oiling say to do two coats, so that’s what I would recommend. Then, it’s ready to use.

How often should you oil or wax your cutting board?

It depends. If your cutting board starts to look uneven (light in some areas and dark in others) or looks dry, that’s a sign that it needs to be oil or waxed again.

Other signs that a wood cutting board needs to be oiled include:

• if you notice liquid seeping into your board
• if there are stains on the board
• if the board starts to smell

Should I use wax or oil?

This is a preference thing. You can use either one. Generally, oil penetrates deeper than wax. But many people use wax after applying oil, for an extra layer of protection and durability.

You can also just us wax and nothing else, but you’ll need to heat the wax up so it’s easy to apply. Beeswax and coconut cutting board wax would well.

Thank with Google

I’m excited to continue to be one of Google’s paid early testers for their Thank with Google pilot program, which allows you to purchase virtual stickers to show support for the content I create, if you’d like.

Thank with Google is an experimental feature that I have early access to and get to test out here with you. So, if you come across something of mine that you love (a DIY project, a room makeover you love, etc), you now have the ability to show your support in this way. You can even attach a personal note to a paid virtual sticker, which is sent directly to me.

For me, these virtual stickers translate to direct revenue for creating more of the content that you like most. So I hope you’ll give it a try.

You can find the Thank with Google feature as a button at the top and bottom of my blog posts now. Thanks as always for your support.