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Calendula-Infused Homemade Wood Butter

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Wooden kitchen utensils and cutting boards are essential kitchen tools. Like all kitchen tools, they require a little TLC to stay in top condition. Neglecting them can lead to dryness, cracking, and even the harboring of harmful bacteria. That’s where homemade calendula-infused wood butter comes in! This simple, natural recipe hydrates and protects your woodenware, keeping it looking beautiful and functioning perfectly for years.

Why Wood Butter?

Regularly conditioning your wooden utensils with wood butter is crucial for several reasons:

Prevents Drying and Cracking
Wood is porous and can dry out, especially with frequent washing. Wood butter penetrates the wood fibers, replenishing moisture and preventing cracking and splitting.

Hygienic Practice:
A well-conditioned surface is less likely to harbor bacteria. Wood butter creates a protective barrier, making it harder for food particles and moisture to penetrate the wood.

Enhances Longevity:
By preventing damage and maintaining moisture, wood butter significantly extends the life of your beloved wooden tools. Some wooden utencils are so well cared for they can be passed down to the next generations. Supporting a more sustainable and resourceful way of living.

A Special Ingredient: Calendula

Our recipe features a special ingredient: calendula-infused oil. Calendula flowers are known for their soothing and antimicrobial properties. Infusing oil with calendula enhances the wood butter with these benefits, offering extra protection against bacteria. The light yellow hue of the infused oil can also help maintain the color of lighter-colored wooden utensils. Calendula is easy to grow. The plant typically produces many flowers that dry easily and quiickly-making it an excellent plant for beginner gardeners.

You may enjoy one of one of our favorite ways to creatively use calendula- as a natural dye!

Before You Butter: Cleaning Your Woodenware

Before applying wood butter, it’s important to thoroughly clean your wooden utensils. A simple yet effective method is a hot water and vinegar soak:

  1. Fill a cup or container with a mixture of hot water and white vinegar (a 1:1 ratio works well).
  2. Submerge your wooden utensils in the mixture for about 20-30 minutes.
  3. Scrub gently with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to remove any remaining food particles.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow the utensils to dry completely before applying the wood butter.

Important Note

If you notice any cracks in your wooden utensils, discard them. Cracks can harbor bacteria that are difficult to remove, posing a potential health risk. It’s better to be safe and replace damaged items.

Need to Replace Your Wooden Utensils?

If your audit of your wooden utensils does not end favorably, it may be time to replace your wooden cooking utensils. Below are a few of our favorite utensils and wooden kitchen tools to consider.

Shop the Wooden Tools

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Homemade Calendula Wood Butter Recipe

This recipe uses calendula-infused mineral oil for optimal results.

Ingredients:

1 cup dried calendula flowers

1 cup food-grade mineral oil

4 ounces beeswax pellets

Instructions:

  1. Infuse the Oil: Combine the dried calendula flowers and mineral oil in a clean, airtight jar. Store in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks, shaking occasionally.
  2. Strain the Oil: After 2 weeks, strain the oil through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh sieve to remove the calendula flowers. Discard the spent flowers.
  3. Make the Wood Butter: Gently heat the calendula-infused oil in a double boiler (or a heat-safe bowl set over simmering water).
  4. Add the beeswax pellets to the warm oil and stir continuously until the beeswax is completely melted.
  5. Remove from heat and carefully pour the mixture into clean jars or containers.
  6. Allow the mixture to cool and solidify at room temperature for at least 24 hours.

Substitution Ingredients

  1. Calendula: If you don’t have calendula flowers, you can omit them. The wood butter will still be effective at conditioning and protecting your woodenware. You may also use other dried herbs known for anti-microbial properties such as lavender or rosemary.
  2. Mineral Oil: Food-grade mineral oil is the recommended choice. However, you can substitute with fractionated coconut oil or food-grade walnut oil if you have allergies or preferences. Be aware that walnut oil is not suitable for people with nut allergies.
  3. Beeswax: If you are vegan, candelilla wax can be used as a vegan alternative to beeswax. Use the same measurements as you would with beeswax.

Applying the Calendula-Infused Wood Butter

  1. Once the wood butter is solid, apply a small amount (about a teaspoon) to a clean cloth or paper towel.
  2. Rub the wood butter into the surface of the clean, dry wooden utensil, working it into the grain.
  3. Allow the wood butter to absorb for several hours or overnight.
  4. Wipe off any excess butter with a clean cloth.

Regular Maintenance

Condition your wooden utensils with wood butter every few weeks, or more frequently if they are used and washed often. With proper care, your wooden kitchen tools will remain beautiful and functional for years to come.

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