“I am feeling raised grain on the top of my cutting board, it’s not smooth anymore. What should I do?”
Wood is a natural material that responds to its environment, with its grain subtly shifting due to changes in heat, humidity and exposure to water or liquids. If you notice a raised grain, it’s often related to humidity, and there’s an easy fix. Use a fine 280-grit sandpaper to gently smooth the raised fibers. Generally, the raised grain will never appear again, so this process only needs to be done once unless the board is moved to an area with significantly different conditions.
It’s also helpful to let your board settle into its new environment by following a conditioning routine for the first month. To season the board, apply conditioner once a week on all wood surfaces (top, sides, and bottom) and let it sit overnight. In the morning, simply buff off any conditioner that hasn’t been absorbed. This step helps the board adapt and stabilize, ensuring lasting quality and reducing the chances of grain raising again. After this initial period, a monthly conditioning routine will help keep your board in top shape.
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Recommended Product:
Larch Wood Cutting Board Conditioner