How do I maintain my HexClad wooden products?

Before First Use

So you’ve snagged one or more of our stunning cutting boards or Bistecca plates. Smart move. Now let’s keep them looking fantastic.

• Before first use, wash with warm soapy water, rinse and dry completely.
• Then apply a small amount of food-grade mineral oil to the board and let sit for a few hours to absorb into the wood before using.

How to Clean 

You’re going to want to serve charcuterie, cheese, snacks and meats/steaks in addition to cutting and prepping on your new boards and plates. Fortunately, it’s easy to keep them in top shape.

After each use, scrape food particles off your board or plate before washing both sides with hot, soapy water and a clean sponge. 

• Pat dry immediately with a clean towel or paper towels and stand upright on your kitchen counter to dry completely.
• Do NOT put it in the dishwasher.
• Do NOT use bleach, which could stain wood and dry it out.
• Do NOT leave the board or plate soaking in water.
• Do NOT store in high-humidity environments, which may cause warping.

How to Sanitize and Remove Odors

Even the most high-end wooden boards and plates can pick up odors. And we’d understand if you’d want to clean them extra-well after chopping up raw chicken or garlic, for example. Happily enough, sanitizing these beauties and keeping them super clean and odor-free is a no-brainer. 

• For added sanitation or to remove odors, create a paste with a mixture of coarse salt and lemon juice and scrub the board or plate with it. 
• Let the salt-lemon mixture dry on the board, and then scrape it off using a metal spatula. 
• Rinse with hot water and dry immediately with a clean towel or paper towels. 
• You can also spray with a 25% vinegar and 75% water solution. Allow it to dry completely by standing it upright on your kitchen counter or in a clean dish rack.

How to Maintain 

Wooden boards are generally better to use than their synthetic counterparts, with an important caveat: You should oil them periodically. It keeps them from cracking; those cracks are where germs and bacteria can hang out and eventually cause issues. A quick oil rubdown on the regular can help minimize knife marks and other grooves–and keep these boards and plates from drying out or cracking. 

• Once you’ve washed and completely dried your board or plate, apply a small amount of food-grade mineral oil to both sides, and spread it using a pastry brush or paper towel.
• Let the oil saturate the board completely by placing it on a rack or standing it upright in a well-ventilated area. Allow it to sit for a few hours so the oil absorbs into the wood. 
• Store the clean, oiled board or plate in a cool, dry place once it is dry to the touch.  
• Note: Do NOT wash with soap and water until all the oil penetrates into the wood.