Sealing #1 pine for food prep readiness?

So, I'm just curious what others would consider as a sealing product for #1 pine that will be used for food prep surface.

Wife and I recently decided we needed an island for our wee kitchen. In the interests of keeping costs low, we bought a 'work bench' kit at local hardware store made from #1 pine. It actually seems like it's going to work well and look pretty good.

Wondering what we should apply in the interests of keeping it from getting stained/marked by regular kitchen type processes (coffee's already been spilled on it, but I'm sure I can sand that out).

Despite being a painter, I've never done anything like this. Thought of Varethane, but not sure if that's the best choice. Any thoughts?

Obviously wouldn't be used as a cutting board or receiving any heavy/brutal use. It's still pine after all.

 

Rather than applying a finish like polyurethane, I would probably just oil it occasionally with Mineral oil, which is a food safe product. It will look more natural that way, and you can add more oil anytime you feel it needs it.

You could also google "food safe finishes" and get more ideas. There are recipes online for cooking up a mineral oil - beeswax combination that will give you a waxier finish that repels water nicely.

 

I'm also thinking some type of food safe oil would be the way to go. I'd be leery that any paint/poly type finish could get cut and chips possibly finding it's way into your food

We have an island in our kitchen that came from the unfinished furniture store. I stained and poly'd it but my wife never prepares food directly on the top. She uses a cutting board for anything she needs to cut and if she isn't using a container to prepare food on the island she'll lay down wax paper or aluminum foil.

A lot may depend on how you intend to use the island. Ours is big enough to accommodate 2 bar stools so it's also used for eating.

 

Oil is the traditional finish for such things but polyurethane is food safe once it's cured.

 

Thanks guys. For ease of recoating, I think we'll be going with the suggestion of mineral oil.

 

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I've used this stuff......Emmet's Elixir.....has mineral oil, lemon extract and bees wax.

It's a little better than straight mineral oil......the wax helps protect against spills.

I bought it at Home Hardware.......or can be ordered online.


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Huh. Thanks Halton. Noticed you're in Canada too. I went to Home Hardware earlier and they said they don't sell Mineral oil and I'd have to go to a pharmacy to get it? Weird. Maybe it's just the one hear that doesn't carry it.

Anyhoo, they sold me this stuff called Circa1850, Terra Nova Naturoil. Bottle doesn't even specifically say what's in it other than "a blend of pure natural oils". For cutting boards, salad bowls, wooden pot handles, etc. Food safe and FDA approved.

Either way, I showed it to my wife (boss). She instructed me that I'm not opening it as the bottle isn't very big and she wants to see how much mineral oil costs first. If we can get a HUGE JUG of that for cheaper, that's what's happening. I think I'd best comply.

Might also check that stuff out. Someone earlier mentioned the bees wax thing, which sounds like a good idea.

 

I could be imagining this but I seem to recall that there are different grades of mineral oil and only some of them are food safe. I would think anything from the pharmacy sold as a laxative would qualify.

 

Whoah! Laxative? That's what this stuff is used for? I had no idea.

I think the wife is going to be disappointed because if they sell this stuff in big jugs, someone's got serious problems! I'm thinking I'm going to find a wee little bottle.

 

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yep.....you can even get the mineral oil at Walmart.....in the Pharmaceutical aisle.

Just don't buy Baby Oil.....it's mineral oil as well but loaded with perfume.

As I recall......I think I had to actually order the Emmet's Elixir at Home Hardware.

Have someone at the store look it up on their computer if you choose to go that route.


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I buy it in sixteen ounce containers, a lot like rubbing alcohol containers. Yep, baby oil is nothing more than cheap mineral oil with perfume added to it.