How to Make Wood Conditioner with Beeswax

- By roostandrestore

I have a love for using wooden utensils in my kitchen. Wood bowls, wood cutting boards, rolling pins… you name it. And while yes they are pretty to look at, and work well with just about any type of cookware, they do require a little bit of maintenence. What’s the solution? An easy-to-make homemade wood conditioner using beeswax or as I like to call it…Wood Butter!

Wood gets thirsty. And when it is thirsty it has a tendancy to dry out, become rough and eventually crack and splinter. This is true across the spectrum. When wood weathers it cracks, it ages, thats what draws us to it really.

But as pretty as that weathered, dry cracked wood may look, it does not pair well with cooking in the kitchen. This is where seasoning comes in and I recently came acroos a recipe for making your own “wood butter.” I recently seasoned all my spoons and wood bowls using this technique that I share HERE

However, my do-it-yourself-and-become-more-self-sustaining heart has decided that it would be better to make my own “seasoning” if you will in the form of wood butter. Follow my instructions below to make your own, and apply it like I did HERE

Let’s get started

Wood Butter

A creamy homemade wood butter to contition woods in your kitchen

2 tbsp beeswax (pellets)
6 tbsp coconut oil (refined)

Place 2 tablespoons of beeswax and 6 tablespoons of unrefined coconut oil in a small glass jar (A small jelly jar should do the trick)
Fill a small saucepan 1/3 of the way with water and place jar in the water. Set a burner on medium-low heat until the beeswax/oil mixture is completely melted.
Remove jar and allow to cool and solidify
Apply liberally to wooden spoons, cutting boards and utensils

Medium-Low and occasional stirring will be plenty here. Careful not to overheat.

It will be runny and clear right after removing from the water. Allow it to cool about 2 hours or until hard with the lid off the jar. If you notice little clumps that are resisting to being melted simply stir constantly until melted.

What else in my kitchen can I use wood butter for?

I suggest using this wood conditioner using beeswax on old and new utensils. Oftentimes those thrift store pieces need a little extra love before use, and just like cast iron, your wooden utensils are going to get better with time and seasoning. Seasoning a new spoon before use will set your spoon up for a good lifespan.