The food-safe finish that appeals most to me is a mixture of mineral oil and beeswax. To make it, warm the mineral oil in a saucepan over low heat, an add a chunk of beeswax equal to about one-fifth or one-sixth the volume of the oil.
Pure Tung Oil ranks high on the list when you want to know how to treat wood charcuterie boards. Also known as chinawood oil, this all-natural finishing oil is FDA approved for food contact and contains no VOCs, heavy metals, additives or distillates for added peace of mind.
The best finish for walnut is a clear one. Several coats of Danish oil provide clarity. For protection, add a compatible clear topcoat.
Walnut oil hardens into a food-safe, satin finish for bowls, untreated butcher block, utensils, and other natural wood products. It is a slow-drying oil that will cure faster in a warmer environment, although room temperature is typically best.
Vegetable oil, corn oil, peanut oil, and olive oil are often suggested as simple, foodsafe finishes.
According to Food 52, your best bets are: Linseed and walnut oils: These “polymerizing oils” will harden as they dry, creating a pretty durable finish. They can take a while to build up, and can cause your board to darken in color, but once you've got a solid foundation they're pretty easy to maintain.
We recommend using tung oil for walnut. This type of oil will darken the grain, enhancing and protecting the wood.
As a charcuterie board material, black walnut wood is probably one of the best you can pick. Its natural resistance to water and bacteria ensures your food stays hygienic. While its strength and hardness withstand regular use and knife cuts with ease.
Danish Oil
It usually consists of linseed oil, Tung oil, mineral spirits, synthetic resins, and/or varnish. It is usually food-safe (check the label) so it is a popular option for kitchen cabinets, cutting boards, and wood counter-tops.
Watco® Butcher Block Oil + Stain is specially formulated for use on wooden butcher blocks, cutting boards, salad bowls and other wood applications which require a food safe finish. Easy to apply and maintain, it is nontoxic and safe for food contact when fully dried (meets government standards of 21CFR 175.300).
It has a solid grain and it's strong making it an ideal choice for dining room tables. It is very easy to repair if damaged, the table can easily be re-sanded and oiled. Walnut is moderately dense and can and will hold up to whatever you throw at it.
In short: Yes, you can without any doubt use tung oil on walnut. By penetrating the wood's pores, this oil smoothens its surface and lends a lucent brown hue to the walnut for protecting it from moisture, ultraviolet radiations, and other environmental components.
Moreover, stains tend to wash out the grain, removing bits of character. For this reason, a natural walnut wood product is rarely stained. Instead, walnut furniture tends to get a clear coat finish; either of some type of varnish, wax, oil, or lacquer.
Can I use olive oil on wood furniture? Yes, you can. Use a cloth to work the oil into the wood grain, rubbing back and forth. When the wood has absorbed the oil, leave it for ten minutes then wipe the excess off with a clean cloth.
Woods such as oak, mahogany and walnut are characterized as having “open grain” because the wood pores are large. In contrast, “closed grain” woods like hard maple, cherry, poplar and beech have smaller pores. You don't have to fill the pores of any wood before applying a finish.
Olive oil treatment will not damage your wood, it will feed and nourish the wood and bring out it's natural shine.... but, you might want to limit your use of the oil, as, just like any wax or polish they can make the surface difficult to paint or varnish in the future... will be fine to use it every year or so.
Fortunately, walnut is a safe cutting board material. It's non-toxic and has antimicrobial properties that help to keep your food free of bacteria and germs.
Tung oil is extracted from nuts. Known for good water resistance, it often requires numerous coats. It leaves a natural finish that showcases the grain. Once thoroughly cured, it is food-safe.
Walnut Oil protects and nourishes the timber to create a beautiful, durable and food safe surface. Walnut oil is perfect for use on chopping boards, worktops, children's toys, furniture etc. It produces a low sheen finish that repels water and is resistant to heat.