How to Care for Epoxy Charcuterie Boards
Cutting boards with epoxy features and charcuterie boards with epoxy coatings have become very popular over the past decade. It is important to point out that you should never cut directly on epoxy. In fact, no shiny finish (except glass) is safe to cut on. Epoxy is easily scratched by sharp blades. It is a finish, not a cutting surface. Epoxy is more durable than most finishes and is impervious to most food stains and acidity. The tabletop epoxy we use is food safe, extremely durable and UV resistant (more on that later) and can even resist solvents as aggressive as acetone – not all epoxies are this durable.
Can You Refinish an Epoxy Charcuterie Board?
A satin epoxy finish is relatively easy to restore with sanding. However, a gloss finish must be sanded and polished. This takes tools, multiple grits of sandpaper and buffers – not something the average person has on-hand.
How to Use and Maintain Epoxy Cutting Boards
1 – Cutting boards with epoxy edges are easy to maintain. We often make cutting boards with epoxy edges. These boards can be used exactly like ordinary cutting boards. The only difference is that the edges can be sensitive to high temperatures. See the temperature warnings below. Most of these cutting boards have a satin-finish to the epoxy and can be easily sanded out, along with the boards wooden cutting surface.
2 – Do not cut on the epoxy, only cut on exposed wood. If your board is fully coated in epoxy, it is a no-cut board – it is a serving board only. Rinse clean and wash with a soft sponge or towel using dish soap. To dry, wipe with a soft, clean cloth to ensure maximum clarity and shine. If your board is glossy, DO NOT use paper towel to dry it, it can cause scratches.
3 – Do not place HOT items on the epoxy. Although the epoxy we use is burn resistant to 400-degrees, it will soften if heated too long. Warm foods are fine – if you can easily pick it up, it’s probably safe to leave on the epoxy. Hot pans, chafing dishes and hot plates should be kept away from your epoxy board. Exposure to heat can soften the epoxy, cause marks or even deform it. Note: Minor “dents” left in the epoxy from heat or pressure often correct themselves over time.
4 – Do not place your board near HOT items. As stated above, heat can soften epoxy. Do not place epoxy boards on or next to a hot stove, toaster oven or grill. Do not put them on a table too close to hotplates, burners, crockpots or hot lighting fixtures/candles. Be aware of hot pots and pans touching the board during service until they have cooled down.
5 – Do not store epoxy boards in direct sunlight. We use UV resistant epoxy, but most epoxies are not. This means that our epoxy is resistant to yellowing, but if stored where direct sunlight hits it daily, it too will begin to yellow in a few years. Also, direct sunlight is hot (especially here in Florida) and can potentially warp your board over time. You may display it anywhere you like, just be sure to keep it out of direct sunlight so will last for decades to come. Note: Wooden boards should also not be stored in direct sunlight for many of the same reasons.
In summary, epoxy boards are extremely durable but can be heat sensitive and should not be stored in direct sunlight to preserve their clarity – and you should not cut on the epoxy. If a glossy board is damaged, it will need to be polished to restore it. If a satin finished board is damaged, you may sand it just like a normal wooden board. Click here for info on Cutting Board Refinishing