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Are you thinking of buying a new chopping surface because the wooden board in your kitchen has become dull with lots of use? If you’re knife’s blade is rusted, or your silverware is dull, we have a cost-effective solution for you; food-grade mineral oils. A lot of people are usually unaware of this versatile product. Besides restoring the shine of wooden utensils and protecting silverware from rust, it is also used for personal care. Pure mineral oil has high-grade moisturizing power, and it even has laxative properties. So, buy a gallon of the top mineral oils of 2024. We have also included a detailed buying guide to help you make an effective purchase.
Reviewing the Premium Mineral Oil of 2024
Raw Plus Rare — Best Overall
If you are looking for an oil for topical skin use, the Raw Plus Rare Mineral Oil can help. The presence of vitamin E quickens the healing process of dry skin with eczema. You can also use this product in your kitchen to keep your wooden boards, handles, and steel knives stay shiny. There are no additives to interfere with the food’s odor or taste.
The jar’s design is suitable for easy handling, and the narrow mouth ensures the oil will come out in the right amounts. Its resealable cap guarantees long-lasting use under the proper storage conditions. This mineral oil is equally beneficial in removing makeup and scrubbing kitchenware. Its ingredients have been certified Kosher-safe and are great for homes with children. This product tops our list because of its excellent formula and great results.
Pros
- Made from clean ingredients
- Enriched with vitamin E
- Avoids clogging pores during makeup removal
Cons
- Has variable consistency
Sanco — Most Lightweight
The Sanco Mineral Oil is a highly effective liquid for cleaning kitchenware. Be it those dull-looking wooden utensils or rusted metal machinery; this oil can make everything look brand-new in your kitchen. The NSF certifies the product safe for use on food-contact surfaces.
Its composition of carnauba and beeswax combine to restore the glossiness of wooden boards. This low-viscosity oil evaporates well, leaving no stickiness on the surface. The product makes your crockeries shine and eliminates potentially harmful microbes. Its use for dry skin and makeup removal is also another plus.
Pros
- It has a light consistency
- Does not absorb food odors
- Can be used on the skin
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Average bottle quality
Thirteen Chefs — Versatile Use
This Thirteen Chefs Mineral Oil product can be ideal if you want an all-purpose mineral oil. It can be used on wooden surfaces, marble, or steel-based kitchen equipment for top-quality results. This lab-certified liquid complies with FDA’s food safety conducts. The oil has no color, smell, or taste, just 100% pure minerals.
The squeezing liquid flask with a push closure offers easy kitchenware treatment. Pour the oil directly on the butcher block, rub it with a clean cloth, and you are ready to go. It is all possible because of the oil’s high absorbing power. White mineral oil can rehydrate all types of wood material while those ugly cuts disappear. Bring your kitchenware back to life with this high-quality oil.
Pros
- It is budget-friendly
- Used for multiple purposes
- Highly effective on leathers
Cons
- It takes extra time to dry
UltraPro — Best For Bulk Use
The UltraPro Mineral Oil is ideal if your kitchen houses lots of wooden, steel, and marble equipment. The large gallon is enough to hydrate all those dull utensils without compromising food safety. Whether lubricating the knife’s blade or polishing bamboo handles, this liquid shows equally effective results. The oil powerfully works on wooden surfaces, forming a water-repellent coat.
You can even use it outside your kitchen for beauty, automotive or industrial purposes. Are you facing dry skin? Create a mixture of this mineral oil with your favorite scent and enjoy a gentle massage. Your skin will become as soft as silk.
Pros
- It prevents rust formation on steel surfaces
- Available at an affordable price
- It has no preservatives
Cons
- The packaging could be better
Swan — Great For Personal Care
Most mineral oils have broad use in the kitchen, but the Swan Mineral Oil is more directed towards personal care. Its 99.9% organic composition relieves frequent constipation in six to eight hours. The oil also helps moisturize dry, eczema-prone skin. If you are tired of being embarrassed by an itchy scalp, apply this liquid as a conditioner and watch your scalp look cleaner and healthier in just days.
The tocopherol added as a stabilizer has antioxidant properties leading to fresh skin by eliminating all the harmful free radicals. It is hypoallergenic, while the lighter consistency allows the skin to absorb oil in a few seconds, leaving no sticky traces behind. The oil’s inclination towards personal use doesn’t mean you can not use it in the kitchen as it works perfectly fine there as well.
Pros
- Treats skin irritation
- Can be used as a gentle facial cleanser
- It is non-toxic
Cons
- Quality issues in the container
Mineral Oils Buying Guide
Food-grade mineral oil is applied for multiple purposes, including cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and kitchen use. You should be mindful of certain factors while buying high-quality mineral oil, or your kitchenware will spoil. This buying guide will help you make a good decision.
Things To Look for When Buying a Mineral Oil
Mineral oil must fit specific criteria for safe kitchen use. Look for the following aspects before investing money in mineral oil.
Label
The foremost thing to inspect while shopping for mineral oil is the label found on the oil container. It must have certification remarks from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), which indicate its usage safety. NSF only approves products with FDA-certified ingredients. Therefore, it is a valuable parameter to judge mineral oil’s safety.
Use
There are two types of mineral oils; for cleaning utensils in the kitchen and for vehicles. For use in the kitchen, you must opt for a high-quality food-grade product, as it concerns your health. If you accidentally use industrial oil on your favorite dinner set you may compromise the health of your loved ones.
Fragrance
You will find some fancy scented mineral oils on the market. Be sure to avoid them, as they can potentially contaminate your silverware. To ensure the oil does not affect the taste or smell of your food, you should opt for a non-scented product.
Container
Food-grade mineral oil comes in various containers of different volumes, from 8 to 128 ounces of fluid. Their container types include squeezable flasks, aluminum sprinklers, and pumping bottles. All these bottles are ideal for removing a small amount of oil at once.
Other Ingredients
When inspecting the mineral oil label for NSF certification, look at its ingredients section too. Many oils contain vitamin E and essential scented oils. While vitamin E is a good addition, you must avoid scented oils, as they can interfere with your food’s taste.
Uses of Mineral Oils in the Kitchen
Do you ever wish that you could keep your kitchenware looking like new for longer? This is where mineral oils come into action. This exceptional cleaning product has several uses in your kitchen. Let’s explore them briefly.
Protecting wooden kitchenware
Wooden cutting boards are among the most widely used kitchen items and require appropriate cleaning. You can use mineral oil for this purpose, as it disinfects the board while maintaining its shine. Say goodbye to all the germs, wood-spoiling wetness, and ugly cuts. The food-grade oil makes your cutting equipment look brand new.
Shining silverware
Are you tired of buying knives because the old ones keep getting rusty? It happens because the silver blade lacks components to keep the corrosion away. Using mineral oil is the only practical solution, as it serves three purposes. It protects the knife’s steel side from rusting, moisturizes it for better cutting, and restores its vibrance.
How To Use Mineral Oil for Cleaning
Mineral oil provides shiny results for your crockery, but you must use the proper technique. No matter how functional a product is, it is useless if you do not use it correctly. There are two ways to apply mineral oil with guaranteed results. Let’s take a look at them.
Flooding method
Suppose you have a chopping board that looks dull, has cuts, and boasts harmful organisms that you can’t see. The steps below can help your items look good as new again.
- Spread a newspaper on your kitchen counter to avoid mess.
- Ensure the board and your surface are completely dry.
- Soak the entire chopping board in food-grade mineral oil. Let it sit for an entire night. The oil should cover the entire board, but it should not be so much that it starts dripping off the side of the board.
- The next day, take some paper towels and remove the oil from the board. Repeat the process until the board is completely dry. Once done, your wooden cutting board is ready to use again.
Heat and treat method
This technique requires a bit of hard work, unlike the flood method, which you can execute in a few minutes. However, the results are satisfactory and worth the struggle. Let’s review the steps involved in cleaning a chopping board with mineral oil through heat.
- Take a small cup of mineral oil in a pan and warm it for a few minutes on the stove. Make sure the oil doesn’t heat up for too long, as it can become too thin.
- Grab a clean piece of fabric and immerse it in the warm oil. Rub that cloth on the cutting board and cover every side with oil.
- Repeat the process until the entire board has a mineral oil coating, from center to edges. It is good to wait a few minutes in between passes with the cloth. It helps the board to absorb mineral oil completely.
- Let the board sit untouched for at least one hour after completing the above step.
- Once the oil dries up, you can use a clean towel to remove the remaining oil from the board. Again, leave the cutting board for three to four hours. This duration is important for the hardening of oil, forming a finishing layer on the wood.
- Finally, rub the board with a dry cloth one last time. The board is now ready to use.
Although the process is a bit time-consuming, the results are highly effective. You do not need to repeat the method often, as heat treatment lasts for three to four years.
