Foodsafe finish, without too much colour change?

[Lee roy]

Just finished a mobile butcher block for my wife, a little different than usual style in that the top is fixed. Quite happy with the result, but I was surprised how much the paraffin oil changed the colour of the beech from a light cream to now a honey gold colour.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h268/lharwood_2006/woodwork/3E7A82D5-EAC0-45E6-97F8-68779B933CCD-384-000000393EE5A605.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h268/lharwood_2006/woodwork/ABFA009D-1599-409F-8C64-518989137991-384-000000391D2F3EAE.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h268/lharwood_2006/woodwork/C015866B-DCDD-4580-BF6D-8054EE1583D3-384-000000392746F1A1.jpg

I am making another as a gift for my sisters birthday from eastern mahogany, (colour was more important in this case.) I don't want to change the colour of the natural timber too much if I can help it. I understand any coating will probably darken it somewhat, but I am looking for opinions on what the best food safe finish might be without changing too much of the colour. Is bees wax an option??

[Kev Y.]

Lee roy, I usually use grapeseed oil for my as my food safe finish. Readily obtained from the supermarket

[ubeaut]

Best thing since rice bubbles: U-Beaut - FoodSafe Plus (http://www.ubeaut.com.au/FS+.htm) Clearer than water, won't change the colour of timber any more than wetting it with water, and best of all it has no smell or taste. To top it off it's approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use on wooden food implements, chopping boards, bowls, bread boards, etc. etc. :2tsup:

Information Sheet available Here (http://www.ubeaut.com.au/pdf/14a.pdf)
http://www.ubeaut.com.au/FS+.gif
Yeah I know it's blatant advertising but after 13 years of this forum day in and day out, I reckon I've earned the right to sneak one in every now and again. :roll:

Cheers - Neil :U

PS There's a local butcher block maker in Geelong who sells all around Australia and beyond, he uses and recommends Traditional Wax (http://www.ubeaut.com.au/trad.html) which he refers to as "Our famous butchers block wax." Link to his eBay store is Here (http://stores.ebay.com.au/ihr001)

[Sam]

+1 for the Foodsafe Oil. Was very easy to use and didnt change the colour of two knife blocks I made earlier this year for a school.

[Lee roy]

Thanks guys, ordered one of each so will see how it goes.

[heffa]

Having come from the hospitality industry, I can vouch for grapeseed of Soya bean oil. We always treated wooden handles, some utensils and a number of chopping boards with one or the other, re-treating every 6-9 months for the heavy use. I treat my home chopping boards every couple of years, making sure to wash them in hot water strait after use.

[Lee roy]

Thanks for the advice guys, purchased both traditional wax and foodsafe plus.
Finished a beech frame with the wax and was VERY happy with the way it turned out, minimal colour change and lovely smooth finish. Also filled some small gaps in my mitre cuts.
I Am keen to finish the butcher block top with the wax as well BUT, the smell.... It's quite strong and don't want food to take on the odour. Haha
Does the smell subside after a week or so? The frame has settled down but still noticeable in the room.
Really very happy with the finish, so I'm itching to use it but I need to be sure the smell will subside.