Updated October 18, 2026.
The short answer: the best oil for wooden spoons is plain food-grade mineral oil. It has no taste or smell, it does not go rancid, and it is what both Wirecutter and America's Test Kitchen tell you to use. For extra water resistance, buff a thin beeswax blend over the oil. Our Board Balm Cutting Board Conditioner (80% food-grade mineral oil, 20% beeswax, $19.95 for 6 oz) does both in one step.
Key takeaways
- Use food-grade (white) mineral oil for routine oiling; it stays liquid in the wood and will not spoil. Here is why food-grade mineral oil is considered safe.
- A mineral oil and beeswax balm adds a water-shedding top coat. It is optional, but it helps spoons that live in the sink.
- Skip cooking oils like olive or vegetable oil: they can go rancid in the wood. See why olive oil is a poor choice.
- Oil when the spoon looks dry or dull, every few weeks for spoons in daily use (Wirecutter).
Which oils are safe for wooden spoons?
Wooden spoons need the same thing a cutting board needs: an oil that soaks in, stays put and does not change. Here is how the common options compare.
| Oil or finish | Good for spoons? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Food-grade mineral oil | Yes: the standard | Colourless, odourless and non-drying; permitted for food use under 21 CFR 172.878. Recommended for spoons by Wirecutter and ATK. |
| Mineral oil + beeswax balm (e.g. Board Balm Cutting Board Conditioner) | Yes: oil plus a top coat | Beeswax is affirmed as generally recognized as safe in 21 CFR 184.1973. Wirecutter adds beeswax after oiling to lock in moisture. |
| Blends with fractionated coconut oil | Yes, if you check the label | Some commercial cutting board oils use it alongside mineral oil and beeswax; for example, Walrus Oil Cutting Board Oil lists beeswax, fractionated coconut oil, mineral oil and vitamin E and names utensils as a use (checked October 18, 2026). |
| Olive, vegetable, regular coconut oil | No | Cooking oils can oxidize and turn rancid in the wood, leaving a sticky film and an off smell. |
| Tung oil, linseed oil | Only if fully cured | These are drying oils that cure into a film rather than staying liquid. Hardware-store versions can contain additives; see our food-safe finishes guide before using one. |
How to oil a wooden spoon in 6 steps
This routine follows Wirecutter's spoon-care method and ATK's wooden-tool guidelines. Boards follow a similar but longer routine; for those, use our cutting board oiling guide.
- Wash in the sink. Use unscented dish soap and hot water, and scrub off any stuck food. Scented soap can leave a residue the wood picks up (Wirecutter). Never soak them or put them in the dishwasher (America's Test Kitchen).
- Dry it completely. Towel it off straight away, then let it air-dry for a few hours, ideally overnight, before oiling. Never leave it soaking (Wirecutter; ATK).
- Apply a few drops of mineral oil. Work a few drops at a time into one section with a clean cloth or paper towel. Cover the bowl, the handle and the edges, which do the most scraping (Wirecutter).
- Let it soak overnight. The wood will darken right away; give the oil the night to sink in before you cook with it (Wirecutter).
- Optional: buff in a thin coat of beeswax blend. Rub in a dime-sized amount over the oiled spoon and buff it so the handle is not slick. Water beading on the surface means it is well conditioned (Wirecutter).
- Repeat when it looks dry. For spoons in daily use, that is every few weeks (Wirecutter). Replace any spoon that is cracked or badly splintered, since cracks trap food (Wirecutter).
Using Board Balm on wooden spoons
Board Balm's product page lists wooden spoons among the surfaces it is made for. Because it is already mineral oil plus beeswax, you can combine steps 3 to 5: rub a thin layer onto the clean, dry spoon, leave it to soak in (overnight for very dry wood), then buff off the excess with a dry cloth. One 6 oz tin of Board Balm Cutting Board Conditioner is $19.95.
Signs your wooden spoons need oil
- The wood looks pale, chalky or dull (Wirecutter).
- The surface feels rough or fuzzy after washing.
- Water soaks in instead of beading (Wirecutter).
Frequently asked questions
Can you use olive oil on wooden spoons?
It is not a good idea. Olive oil is a cooking oil that can go rancid inside the wood over time. Food-grade mineral oil is the safer routine choice; our olive oil guide explains the rancidity problem in detail.
Should I put coconut oil on my wooden spoons?
Not regular kitchen coconut oil, for the same rancidity reason. Fractionated coconut oil is a different, refined product that some commercial wood oils use; Walrus Oil lists it in its Cutting Board Oil (checked October 18, 2026). Read the label, and when in doubt use plain mineral oil.
How often should you oil wooden spoons?
Every few weeks for spoons you use daily, or whenever they look dry or dull, according to Wirecutter. Spoons that only come out on weekends need it less often.
Can wooden spoons go in the dishwasher?
No. In America's Test Kitchen's testing, just 10 dishwasher cycles left wooden spoons looking bleached and dry. Wash them in the sink with soap and hot water, and dry them straight away.
Keep your spoons and your board in the same routine. Board Balm is $19.95 for 6 oz, and if you own a Bevel & Bond end grain maple cutting board, register its warranty and we'll send you a free tin of Board Balm.
Keep reading
When was this article last reviewed?
This guide was written and last reviewed on October 18, 2026 by James Taylor at Bevel & Bond, which makes Board Balm. Care steps follow the Wirecutter and America's Test Kitchen sources linked above.
