Howard butcher block alternatives

[izzy_a]

Hi all,

Just wondering if there are any alternatives to Howard butcher block conditioner that I can get in Sydney?

Thanks heaps.

[cava]

Try our benevolent dictators product, Foodsafe Plus.

[izzy_a]

Does it contain beeswax?

[cava]

Even though I use it for chopping/cutting boards I do not know with any certainty. But I don't think so as the finish is not too waxy.

[izzy_a]

Thanks cava.. I’ve just installed a laundry wooden countertop and planning on using paraffin oil and topped with something similar to the Howard conditioner which will give it extra protection. Hoping to get something that’s readily available locally.

[shanesmith80]

Not sure if this is actually what your after but I found Ikea have mineral oil a lot cheaper than i've found anywhere else.

[Nifty Nev]

How about U-Beaut Traditional wax. Also food safe. U-Beaut Polishes - TRADITIONAL WAX Polish (http://www.ubeaut.com.au/trad.html)

[izzy_a]

Not sure if this is actually what your after but I found Ikea have mineral oil a lot cheaper than i've found anywhere else.

Are you referring to this?
SKYDD Wood treatment oil, indoor use - IKEA (http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/00170993/?query=00170993&cid=a1:sm%7Ca2:au%7Ca3:appshare%7Ca4:store_app%7Ca5:ios%7Ca6:share%7Ca7:ikeaglobal%7Ccc:216)

[izzy_a]

How about U-Beaut Traditional wax. Also food safe. U-Beaut Polishes - TRADITIONAL WAX Polish (http://www.ubeaut.com.au/trad.html)

That could be an option... The Howard product seems so easy to apply without having to buff

[groeneaj]

You could make your own. I make my own conditioner out of beeswax wax, mineral oil and orange oil. I have a wooden countertop that I apply it to regularly with good results. I plan on adding carnauba wax to the mix which will give a harder wearing finish. I use it on my cutting boards and even in the workshop on some tools.

[cava]

You could make your own. I make my own conditioner out of beeswax wax, mineral oil and orange oil.
What ratios are you using?

[izzy_a]

What ratios are you using?

Also interested to know. Thanks

[shanesmith80]

Are you referring to this?
SKYDD Wood treatment oil, indoor use - IKEA (http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/00170993/?query=00170993&cid=a1:sm%7Ca2:au%7Ca3:appshare%7Ca4:store_app%7Ca5:ios%7Ca6:share%7Ca7:ikeaglobal%7Ccc:216)

Yep, that's it. Maybe it was on special when I got it, pretty sure it was only a couple of bucks.

[groeneaj]

I’ve made quite a few different batches. I find 1 part beeswax to 4 parts mineral oil to be a bit too hard. It’s fine if you’re applying it to a small surface area like a small cutting board, but I like it to be easier to apply. So I tried 1 part beeswax to 5 parts mineral oil and that’s my go to ratio. I can easily scoop it out of the container and it’s easy to apply.

I then got some food grade orange oil and mixed 1/3 mineral oil, 1/3 beeswax and 1/3 orange oil. This consistently goes on easily and is my favourite. I bought around 60 of those 150gram containers and just write the ratios on top.

I got a 1KG block of medical grade beeswax for about $55 and use the mineral oil from ikea. I know you can get it cheaper than this if you do some research. This way you can make up and experiment with different ratio and see what works for you.

[izzy_a]

I’ve made quite a few different batches. I find 1 part beeswax to 4 parts mineral oil to be a bit too hard. It’s fine if you’re applying it to a small surface area like a small cutting board, but I like it to be easier to apply. So I tried 1 part beeswax to 5 parts mineral oil and that’s my go to ratio. I can easily scoop it out of the container and it’s easy to apply.

I then got some food grade orange oil and mixed 1/3 mineral oil, 1/3 beeswax and 1/3 orange oil. This consistently goes on easily and is my favourite. I bought around 60 of those 150gram containers and just write the ratios on top.

I got a 1KG block of medical grade beeswax for about $55 and use the mineral oil from ikea. I know you can get it cheaper than this if you do some research. This way you can make up and experiment with different ratio and see what works for you.

That’s excellent! Will definitely give it a go. Thanks

[cava]

I then got some food grade orange oil and mixed 1/3 mineral oil, 1/3 beeswax and 1/3 orange oil. This consistently goes on easily and is my favourite.

Is the ratio by weight or volume?

Also where did you get the Orange Oil from? I have some Gilly Stephensons Orange Oil, is this acceptable?

George

[groeneaj]

I do it by weight, so 100 grams of mineral oil and 20 grams of beeswax.

The orange oil I use is Gilly Stephenson and it’s equal parts with the mineral oil and beeswax. The pic below was part of a small batch I did a few months ago. I include these with the boards that I sell.

I put all the stuff in a mason jar and once melted, I stir the ingredients and let it solidify. If I’m testing a new ratio, I let it sit for a little while in the mason jar and then test the consistency. If I’m happy I melt it up again and pour into the containers. If it’s too runny I add beeswax, or too hard I add mineral oil.

439827