There are many great reasons why every woodworker should learn how to use food-safe finishes. Many finishes contain toxic drying agents. Some people are sensitive to chemicals. Sometimes you just want to apply a finish, and have a little peace of mind.
Never fear. There are many excellent non-toxic wood finishes. My go-to finishes are Tung Oil and Shellac. Both are inexpensive, easy to find, and easy to apply. Better yet, both are completely food safe.
Tung Oil
Tung oil is produced by pressing the nut of the tung tree. It may also be labeled as China wood oil. Tung oil is 100-percent natural, easy to apply, and can be found online and at many woodworking supply retailers. Make sure that you only purchase 100-percent pure tung oil. Some brands of tung oil include toxic drying agents.
Tung oil leaves a natural finish that really lets the wood be the star. It penetrates deep into the wood and offers protection from moisture. One thing I really like about tung oil is that you can still feel the wood grain after many coats. It noticeably darkens the wood while adding a subtle amber hue. My preferred method of application is with a soft cotton rag. Apply a thin coat and wait a few hours before applying another. Repeat as desired.
Shellac
Shellac is made from a resin produced by the lac bug in the forests of India and Thailand. Don’t let that scare you. It’s completely harmless. Shellac comes in two common forms: flakes and liquid. The liquid variants are ready to go, but you must dissolve the flakes in ethanol. Look for dewaxed shellac when buying the liquid form. I prefer Zinser’s Seal Coat.
Unlike tung oil, shellac creates a film finish. Build up the finish with additional coats to create a more glossy appearance. Shellac also adds a subtle amber hue to the wood. One of the great things about shellac is that it is produced in many different hues: from clear to garnet. This gives you a very fine degree of control over the finished product.
I like to apply shellac with a fine horse-hair brush. Shellac can also be applied with a soft cotton rag. After the shellac has dried, I like to apply a little paste wax and buff it off with a cotton rag.
For more information about Shellac see Wilbur Pan’s excellent article on finishing cherry with shellac and wax.
The picture above shows shellac and tung oil applied to a piece of beech. The left side is finished with shellac and the right with tung oil. The light band down the middle is unfinished beech wood.
The great thing about both of these finishes is that they can be applied to wooden utensils and other items that will be used near food. The next time you’re at the store, pick one up and give it a try. You won’t regret it.
If using Tung oil you need to warn the person your giving or selling it to. The finish was made from nuts. Someone could have a food allergy to nuts.
Just wanted to follow up on your comment. After doing some research there does not appear to be any major issues for people with nut allergies reacting to tung oil. So, generally, especially once it is dried there should be no danger of causing an allergic reaction in the use of tung oil to finish things to a food grade standard. That being said, it would still be a good idea to include a warning label to advise people that you used it. Anaphylaxis is no joke. As to why you would want to use tung oil, as I understand it, it is not only food safe but is much better for waterproofing your projects. Since food safe items are usually for the kitchen, having them be better protected from water wouldn’t be a bad idea. But also as many have said there are other finishes out there that can do the job also.
Hi, I’m making a round wooden serving board with a decal. I’ve stained the pine wood twice applied the decal and now want to apply a food safe layer of – what’s best to only serve cheese, crackers n fruit in as a serving board – not a cutting board.. is shellac the best way to go. I’d like the layer to be very clear and to cover the decal as to not scratch it off.. I’d this my best product to use, which brand and does Home Depot carry it.. any help – please. I’m actually making this serving board for the person who owns the logo as a gift for him.. feel free to contact me personally -if this servicing board is well received – he might need more for his web site and I’d love to be able to partner with him. Thanks,
Julie
860-751-4078
Want to know good and safe wood glue for craft
Lawrence, it depends on what you mean by safe? Food safe? Water safe? Rot proof safe? Ground contact or buried safe? The answers can be very different depending upon what you are doing.