A wooden bowl that gets used will change a little. After many salads and many washes, the surface may lose some of its soft sheen or feel dry under your hand. That’s usually a good time to condition it. The job takes a few minutes, but first, check the finish.
Does your bowl need oil?
If your bowl is one of our Driftwood, White Pearl, Ebonized Black, or Sea Glass pieces, leave the oil in the cupboard. Those finishes have a food-safe acrylic coating and don’t need conditioner. Wash them by hand and dry them well, as you would any of our bowls. Our care FAQ lists all four exceptions.
Black walnut is different from Ebonized Black: one names the wood, the other a finish. Color alone may not tell you which bowl you have. If you’re unsure, send us a photo before putting anything on it.
The steps below are for our bowls with finishes that can be conditioned.
When is it time?
Look at the surface after the bowl has been washed and dried. If the wood looks dull, has pale dry-looking patches, or no longer feels as smooth as it once did, it may be ready for a light coat. A bowl that still feels good and has its usual soft sheen doesn’t need an extra application just because a date has come around.
We recommend conditioning eligible bowls about once a month. That’s a useful reminder, especially for a salad bowl that is washed often. A bowl you use less may need attention less often. If dry indoor air or frequent washing leaves the surface looking dry sooner, take care of it then. There’s no need to follow a daily oiling schedule.
What should you put on it?
Use a conditioner intended for food-contact woodenware. We make two: Black Walnut Wood Conditioner, made with black walnut oil and candelilla wax, and a Beeswax Wood Conditioner. The black walnut version is vegan. Its name does not mean it is only for walnut bowls.
Food-grade mineral oil is another option our care guide allows for eligible pieces. You need only a little, whichever treatment you use. Ordinary olive or vegetable oil isn’t a good maintenance choice; cooking oils can turn rancid on wood, as University of Maine Cooperative Extension cautions for cutting boards. If you have an ingredient sensitivity, check the product label rather than relying on the name of a conditioner.
How to condition the bowl
- Wash and dry it. Use warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge. Towel dry, then let the bowl become completely dry before conditioning.
- Apply a thin coat. Put a small amount of oil or conditioner on a soft cloth or paper towel and wipe it over the inside, rim, outside, and base. You should see an even film, not puddles.
- Give it 10 to 15 minutes. That’s the time in our care directions for the treatment to soak in.
- Wipe it down. Remove anything left on the surface with a clean cloth, including under the bowl. It should feel smooth rather than greasy. Follow the bottle if its directions differ.
The grain may look a little richer after conditioning. It won’t erase a deep stain, close a crack, or make the bowl waterproof. If a bowl is damaged, ask us about it rather than trying to sand or refinish it at home.
Keep using it
The everyday habits matter as much as the occasional coat of oil. Wash your bowl soon after serving, towel dry it, and let it finish drying before you put it away. Don’t soak it or put it in the dishwasher. Keep it away from the stove or a radiator, where sustained heat can dry the wood. Conditioning doesn’t take the place of washing.
Some wear belongs to a bowl that’s part of the table. You may notice the faint trace of a fork or a slight shift in color over time. Give the bowl the care it needs, then bring it back out for the next meal.
