Caring for Your Heirloom: A Guide to Maintaining Your EkSeHandcrafted Board

You have acquired more than a cutting board; you have invested in a piece of living history. Crafted from natural Canadian Larch, your EkSeHandcrafted board is designed to last for generations, becoming a storied part of your kitchen's legacy.

Like any fine heirloom, it requires simple, thoughtful care to preserve its beauty and integrity. Follow this guide to ensure your Larchsmith remains as stunning as the day it arrived.

The Three Golden Rules

Never Submerge: Wood is porous. Never soak your board or let it stand in water.

No Dishwasher, Ever: The intense heat and harsh detergents of a dishwasher will cause the wood to warp, crack, and lose its natural oils. This is the quickest way to damage your board.

Dry Thoroughly: After washing, always dry your board immediately with a clean towel and allow it to air dry standing on its edge.

Your Cleaning Ritual (After Each Use)

Cleaning is simple.

Scrape off any remaining food debris.

Using a soft sponge or cloth, wash the board with a small amount of mild washing-up liquid and warm water.

Rinse immediately with clean, warm water.

Dry thoroughly with a towel and leave it standing on its edge to dry completely before storing.

The Rejuvenation Process: Oiling Your Board

Your board was delivered to you saturated with food-safe mineral oil. Over time and with use, you will need to replenish this oil to keep the wood conditioned and protected.

When to Oil: A good rule of thumb is "once a day for a week, once a week for a month, once a month for a lifetime." However, a simpler way is to look at your board. If it appears dry or is lightening in colour, it’s thirsty.

How to Oil:

Ensure the board is clean and completely dry.

Generously apply a food-grade mineral oil to all surfaces of the board—top, bottom, and all sides.

Let the oil soak in. For the first few times, the wood will absorb it quickly. Keep applying oil until it will not absorb any more.

Allow the board to sit for at least 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight.

Wipe off any excess oil with a clean, dry cloth. For an extra layer of protection and a beautiful lustre, you can finish by buffing in a food-safe beeswax board conditioner.

With this simple care, your Larchsmith board will not only withstand the tests of time but will also develop a richer patina and deeper character with every year that passes. It is a story you will write together.