Boos block with flour and dough on marble countertop

Frequently Asked Questions

Taking proper care of your John Boos products can ensure that they maintain the level of beauty and durability synonymous with the John Boos brand. Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most frequently regarding proper John Boos product care.

Cutting Boards

A minimum of once a month (depending upon the use and household conditions), apply an even coat of Boos® Mystery Oil to all surfaces of your wood cutting board using a cloth or disposable towel. Allow the Mystery Oil to fully penetrate through the wood fibers overnight, then wipe off any excess oil. Apply additional oil to any visible dry spots or for any other necessary reasons. For additional protection, it is recommended to use Boos Block® Board Cream to seal the top of the wood surface in conjunction to the Mystery Oil. Apply an even coat of the Board Cream using a cloth or disposable towel. Allow the Board Cream to penetrate the wood surface overnight, then wipe off any excess cream. Our Boos Block cutting boards ship from the factory with a Boos Block ® Cream Finish (with Beeswax). When the cutting board becomes dry and lighter in color, you know that the time has come to re-oil your board. NOTE: Use only John Boos ® Mystery Oil or Boos Block ® Cream when oiling your cutting board. An quick alternative would be to use mineral oil only. DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF COOKING OIL ON YOUR WOOD CUTTING BOARDS. THIS WILL DAMAGE YOUR BOARDS. With a minimum amount of care and maintenance, you can lengthen the life of your Boos ® Board by many years. To see the instructional video, visit our YouTube Channel.

Sprinkle kosher or table salt on your cutting board and then use a damp sponge or paper towel to rub the stained or discolored area. The salt will absorb stains, flavors, and odors. For stubborn stains, try sanding down the area with a 200 grit sand paper. It is very important to sand with the grain of the wood, never against the grain. This sanding process exposes a brand new wood work surface. Once sanding is complete, it is recommended to oil your cutting board with Boos Block Mystery Oil and follow up with Boos Block Board Cream with Beeswax. This product protects the board and controls its moisture content, keeping it from drying out, cracking or splitting.

Lemon or lime juice with a little salt will go a long way to reducing odor. Sprinkle your Boos ® cutting board with kosher or table salt. Cut a lemon or lime into quarters and use these quarters to rub the salt into the board, squeezing juice onto the board as you go. Let sit for 2-3 minutes and then wipe the cutting board clean with a damp cloth. Use a clean paper towel to remove excess water or let the board air dry by standing it on end.

Maintenance of you wood cutting board is important to maintain warranty coverage. Mystery Oil or a food-grade mineral oil are required. The Mystery Oil should be applied first. The Mystery Oil penetrates deeply through the wood fibers, and the Board Cream is a denser, thicker formula that protects the top layer of the wood surface and is recommended. Using both care and maintenance products will prolong the life of your Boos Block cutting board.
• Boos Block® Mystery Oil is a NSF certified food-grade oil that easily absorbs and penetrates deeply into the grain of the wood to help protect, revitalize, and moisturize the wood fibers.
• Boos Block® Board Cream contains all natural, unbleached beeswax and food-grade oil formula. Board Cream is denser, and thicker which gives a protective top layer to the wood surface and protects against, stains from foods and liquids. It helps keep the water out and the oil in.

Proper storage of wood cutting boards is crucial to prevent warping. Unlike plastic, glass, or composite boards that can be stored flat, wood cutting boards should be stored on their edge and away from direct sunlight. Placing a wood cutting board flat for an extended period of time on a cold stone countertop can hinder airflow and lead to moisture imbalance. If you wish to showcase your cutting board on the countertop for an extended period of time, ensure proper air circulation by using a mesh rubber mat underneath for reversible boards. This ensures the beauty of your cutting board is maintained while preventing potential warping issues.

End Grain Cutting Boards features the end pieces of wood rails approximately 1-1/2″ x 1-3/4″ that are glued together into a traditional square pattern. During cutting or chopping, the end grain wood fibers absorb the impact of the knife blade, allowing your knife to stay sharper and your board surfaces to stay smoother. Edge Grain Cutting Boards features full length wood rails approximately 1-3/4″ wide that span the entire length of the board. Edge Grain Cutting Boards feature a uniform thickness and true flat cutting surface. Click here see our video showing the differences between and end grain and edge grain cutting board. 

Although Boos ® Hard Rock Natural Maple cutting boards DO NOT harbor bacteria, it is a good habit to use separate cutting boards for different types of food prep. For example, use one for raw meat, poultry, or fish, and another for cooked or ready-to-eat foods such as salad, vegetables, and breads. This will ensure protection against cross contamination and will prevent the spreading of certain food borne bacteria such as E-Coli.

A scientific study conducted by Dr. Dean Cliver, Ph.D has proved that maple cutting boards inhibit bacteria growth, while plastic boards have been scientifically proven to harbor bacteria inside the cut grooves. Also wood cutting boards are known to be easier on your expensive knife blades. Click Here to read more on Dr. Dean Cliver’s study.

Keep your Boos ® cutting board sanitized by simply washing it with hot soapy water after each use and drying it with a clean paper towel or letting it air dry. If you want to sanitize the board more thoroughly, use a diluted mixture of chlorine bleach or vinegar solution that consists of one teaspoon of liquid chlorine bleach in one quart of water or a one to five dilution of vinegar. Do not soak or submerge the board in water, as this will disrupt the moisture content causing the rails to split. Wood cutting boards are NOT dishwasher safe.

You can purchase directly from our online store or contact one of our our authorized John Boos & Co. retailers. To find an authorized retailer near you, visit our Find An Authorized Seller Page.

Butcher Blocks

Sprinkle kosher or table salt on your Butcher Block and then use a damp sponge or paper towel to rub the stained or discolored area. The salt will absorb stains, flavors, and odors. For stubborn stains, try sanding down the area with a fine grit sand paper. It is very important to sand with the grain of the wood, never against the grain. This sanding process exposes a brand new wood work surface. Once sanding is complete, it is recommended to oil your Butcher Block with John Boos ® Mystery Oil and/or Boos Block ® Board Cream with Beeswax. This product protects the block and controls its moisture content, keeping it from drying out, cracking or splitting.

Lemon or lime juice with a little salt will go a long way to reducing odor. Sprinkle your Butcher Block with kosher or table salt. Cut a lemon or lime into quarters and use these quarters to rub the salt into the board, squeezing juice onto the board as you go. Let sit for 2-3 minutes and then wipe the cutting board clean with a damp cloth. Use a clean disposable towel to remove excess water or let the butcher block air dry.

Maintenance of you butcher block is important to maintain warranty coverage. Mystery Oil or a food-grade mineral oil are required. The Mystery Oil should be applied first. The Mystery Oil penetrates deeply through the wood fibers, and the Board Cream is a denser, thicker formula that protects the top layer of the wood surface and is recommended. Using both care and maintenance products will prolong the life of your Boos butcher block.
• Boos Block® Mystery Oil is a NSF certified food-grade oil that easily absorbs and penetrates deeply into the grain of the wood to help protect, revitalize, and moisturize the wood fibers.
• Boos Block® Board Cream contains all natural, unbleached beeswax and food-grade oil formula. Board Cream is denser, and thicker which gives a protective top layer to the wood surface and protects against, stains from foods and liquids. It helps keep the water out and the oil in.

It is extremely important to give your Butcher Block a good oiling on all surfaces every 3-4 weeks depending on your usage. For oil-finished Butcher Blocks, we recommend keeping them oiled with Boos Mystery Oil and Board Cream with Beeswax. When the Butcher Block becomes dry and lighter in color, you know that the time has come to re-oil your block. NOTE: Use only Boos Block Mystery Oil or Boos Block Cream when oiling your Butcher Block. A quick alternative would be to use food-grade mineral oil only. DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF COOKING OIL ON YOUR BUTCHER BLOCKS. THIS WILL CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR BLOCKS. With a minimum amount of care and maintenance, you can lengthen the life of your Butcher Block.

Keep your Butcher Block sanitized by simply wiping the surface with a clean hot and wet soapy towel after each use and dry it with a clean paper towel or let it air dry. If you want to sanitize the block more thoroughly, use a diluted mixture of chlorine bleach or vinegar solution that consist of one teaspoon of liquid chlorine bleach in one quart of water or a one to five dilution of vinegar. Do not soak or submerge the board in water, for this will disrupt the moisture content and cause the rails to split.

Varnique Finish is a smooth semi-gloss finish. This type of finish is used for aesthetic purposes or for general food preparation tasks, including rolling dough, but directly cutting on the surface will damage the varnique finish. This finish requires low maintenance and can be easily cleaned with mild soap and warm water and will not need refinished or re-oiled. Varnique is also more resistant to water spotting and staining. If the varnique surface is cut, it will need to be resealed using our Boos ® EZ-DO finish. Natural Penetrating Oil Finish is a type of finish used as a cutting surface and is food-safe. The natural oil finish seals and protects the surface of the wood and unlike the varnique finish, can be cut directly upon the surface. It is recommended to re-oil the wood surface every 3-4 weeks depending on your usage. This maintenance keeps the butcher block from drying out and helps preserve the block and extend its life over time. Natural oil finishes can easily be sanded and re-oiled for a like-new appearance.

You can purchase directly from our online store or contact one of our our authorized John Boos & Co. retailers. To find an authorized retailer near you, visit our Find An Authorized Seller Page.

Kitchen Countertop

You can find a installation guide for your butcher block countertops here. Butcher Block Countertop Installation Guide

Here you will find a variety of Edge Detail Styles that we offer for our Boos Block ® Countertops. Edge Detail Styles – Kitchen Countertops.

A diagram on the proper procedures of overhang installation on kitchen countertops can be found here. Overhang Instructions Diagram PDF.

Minor splits may occur at the ends of your kitchen countertop, if it was cut for installation and the end not properly resealed. If you notice this condition, the cracks should be immediately filled with a matching color wood filler, sanded smooth, and refinished with Boos ® Mystery Oil or Cream.

Warpage of a kitchen countertop occasionally occurs, if one surface expands at a greater rate than the other side. Since the moisture content of the wood used in producing butcher block countertops is tightly controlled, a warped top can be easily corrected. Placing the block onto your cabinet base, it can be drawn down to a flat condition by using 3 or 4 bolts across the width. On an oiled butcher block top the warped condition can also be corrected by covering the convex side with mystery oil and plastic, and then rubbing oil into the concave side of the board repeatedly. This evens out the moisture content of the counter top, and will bring it back to its flat condition.

The wood in a John Boos butcher block top has been kiln dried to a 6% moisture content. During times of high humidity it tends to absorb moisture, which will cause it to expand in width. During low humidity (winter months) it will contract back to its original dimension. When installing a butcher block, allowances need to be made for the seasonal changes. Some cabinet manufacturers slot the top mounting bolt holes. If your cabinets have this feature, be sure the mounting bolts are centered in the slot to allow for both expansion and contraction. If the wood or metal mounting brackets are not slotted, allowance can be made by drilling the hole through the counter approximately 3/8” oversize, and using a washer under the head of the bolts. Attach countertop to counter base using 1/4” lag bolts. The length will vary on the application, but a good rule of thumb is to use a bolt long enough to penetrate one half the top’s thickness. Use one bolt per foot to attach the top widthwise. Use a minimum of four bolts on both ends. Use one bolt per every two feet to attach the length on both sides.

Cutting a butcher block top exposes unprotected hardwood. This needs to be refinished immediately. Failure to do so could lead to cracking of the top. Once you have made a cutout in the top, you should coat the exposed area with EZ-DO poly gel or a silicone acrylic clear caulk. EZ-DO gel is available from your John Boos dealer, the caulk is available at most hardware stores. The EZ-DO poly gel or caulk should be spread evenly with a putty knife the full thickness of the cut portion. EZ-DO poly gel or caulk should also be spread one inch wide around the face side of the cutout perimeter. The bottom side of the top should have a three inch wide spread of caulk around the cutout perimeter. Allow EZ-DO poly gel or caulk to dry. Run a bead of caulk around perimeter of cutout where sink ring will rest. Once sink and ring are in place, wipe off excess caulk squeeze out from ring with a damp cloth. For other concealed cutting alterations apply caulk to unprotected area of cutout only. For areas above dishwashers apply caulk to bottom side of countertop that is overhung from the front of the dishwasher. The caulk should be applied with a putty knife and spread three inches past the unit’s width on either side. All exposed edges that have been altered should be refinished w/oil or EZ-DO poly gel.

We offer two types of finishes for your Kitchen Countertops. Varnique Finish or Natural Penetrating Oil Finish. Varnique Finish is a smooth semi-gloss finish, this type of finish is used for aesthetic purposes or for general food preparation tasks, including rolling dough, but you do not wish to cut upon it directly for it will damage the varnique finish. This finish requires low maintenance and can be easily cleaned with mild soap and warm water and will not need refinished or re-oiled. Varnique is also more resistant to water spotting and staining. If varnique surface is cut, it will need to be resealed using our Boos EZ-DO finish. Natural Penetrating Oil Finish is a type of finish used as a cutting surface and is food-safe. The natural oil finish seals and protects the surface of the wood and unlike the varnique finish, can be cut directly upon the surface. It is recommended to re-oil the wood surface very 3-4 weeks. This maintenance keeps the butcher block from drying out and helps preserve the block and extend its life over time. Natural oil finishes can easily be sanded and re-oiled for a like-new appearance.

You can purchase directly from our online store or contact one of our our authorized John Boos & Co. retailers. To find an authorized retailer near you, visit our Find An Authorized Seller Page.

Stainless Steel

When referring to the gauge (GA) thickness of stainless steel, the lower the number the thicker the stainless steel. For example, 14GA is a thicker quality stainless steel than 16GA while 16GA is a thicker quality stainless steel than 18GA.

Stainless Steel is durable, and can be long lasting if proper care and maintenance is provided. We recommend using our Boos® Stainless Steel Cleaner to be sprayed on and wiped down with a clean disposable towel. NEVER use an abrasive cleaner or chlorine bleach.

In-depth instructions on the care and maintenance of stainless steel. Covered are the tools and cleansers recommended. Other vital information about stainless steal is included in this document pdf. Download Stainless Steel Care & Maintenance Instructional PDF.

Product Warranty

John Boos & Co. warrants that its products (“Products”) will be free from manufacturing defects for one year from the date of purchase or date of delivery (if later than the date of purchase). Because John Boos & Co. cannot control the quality of products sold by unauthorized sellers, this warranty applies only to Products that were purchased from John Boos & Co. or a John Boos & Co. authorized reseller in the United States, unless otherwise prohibited by law.

John Boos & Co. reserves the right to reject warranty claims for Products purchased from unauthorized sellers, including unauthorized Internet sites. This warranty does not apply to damages which result from neglect, accidental or intentional damage, damage or wear to any swivel mechanism, normal wear and tear, misuse of product, unauthorized repair, exposure to extremes in temperature and humidity, and alteration or abuse of the product. This warranty is limited to the original, end-user purchaser or gift recipient in the United States. Wood products ordered “unfinished” do not come with a warranty. Repairs or replacement under this limited warranty will be made through an authorized John Boos & Co. reseller, if possible, the same authorized reseller from which the product was purchased.

Should the dealer or factory representative find return of the product to the factory necessary, all packing and shipping costs will be the responsibility of the customer. If an authorized reseller is not available, contact the Customer Service Department at John Boos & Co., 3601 S. Banker St., Effingham, IL 62401, Ph (888) 431-2667 for the name and location of the nearest authorized reseller.

Factory obligation under this warranty, is limited, at the option of John Boos & Co. to repair or replace the product (or one of equal type and quality if the product is no longer available), within 90 days after receipt of written recommendation from the dealer, provided none of the above exceptions are evident.

John Boos & Co. shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising from use, or for consequential damages. Some States do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

There are no warranties which extend beyond those stated herein. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES THAT MAY BE APPLICABLE TO PRODUCTS, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THIS WARRANTY. Some States do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you. This warranty gives certain legal rights and there may be other rights that vary from state to state.

What is California Prop 65?

John Boos & Co. is attaching Prop 65 warning labels to inform consumers that the product contains materials found on California’s Proposition 65 list. This does not mean the product is unsafe, since these labels will be attached to many household products. John Boos & Co. products meet or exceed safety industry standards, and this label indicates we are compliant with the State of California Prop 65 warning label requirements.

California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65) prohibits any person, in the course of doing business, from knowingly and intentionally exposing any individual to a substance, at or above particular exposure levels, known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity without first giving clear and reasonable warning to such individual. The labels you will see on some of the John Boos & Co. products will be the “truncated” label which indicates that the substance identified has minimal or no exposure hazards but are still presence in the product.

John Boos & Co. is providing this warning label to comply with California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 commonly know as” Proposition 65”. The amended Prop 65 regulations require a warning label on products that include any of the almost 900 chemicals identified by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) on the Prop 65 list.

 Attention California Residents Only
 WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

We are providing this label to inform our customers that the product contains materials on the State of California’s Prop 65 list. Please be aware, that many of these elements are found in everyday consumer products with minimal or no exposure hazards, and the presence of this label does not mean the product will cause Cancer or Reproductive harm.

aerial view of john boos cutting boards on marble countertop

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