To improve the longevity of your kitchen wooden products such as chopping boards and culinary utensils, you can use oil. Not only does it penetrate through the wood but also bolsters the aesthetics of the products.
Furthermore, oil is food-safe, meaning you can use it on any kitchen surface. But which should you use? Boos Mystery Oil or mineral oil?
In this Boos Mystery Oil vs mineral oil, we look at where each is applicable, their benefits, and how they compare.
This will help you make the right purchasing decision. So, let’s get into it.
What Is Boos Mystery Oil?
Boos Mystery Oil is produced by John Boos, a renowned butcher blocks and cutting board manufacturer. The oil can be used on wooden culinary utensils, countertops, cutting boards, and butcher blocks.
The food-grade oil is made of food-safe ingredients making it an ideal option for home to restaurant kitchens.
Unlike other oils, it penetrates deep into the wood, protecting and revitalizing every fiber. As such, your cutting board or butcher block will last for an extended period.
In addition, it helps repel water and stains, making it easier to clean and sanitize your wooden countertop.
Since the ingredients are food-safe, you can use the oil on food preparation surfaces. As you’d expect, it is biodegradable and non-toxic.
Why Should You Use Boos Mystery Oil?
- Contains Antimicrobial Properties: Boos Mystery oil not only makes wooden surfaces easy to clean and appealing but also kills bacteria. According to a University of Illinois study, the oil improves the hygiene of your wooden surfaces. The study states that it creates an antimicrobial, hydrophobic surface that significantly reduces bacteria build-up in less than three hours. So, if you want to improve your kitchen’s hygiene, consider using Boos Mystery Oil.
- Easy Application: The oil application is straightforward. Just apply a generous amount and let it sit overnight. This will help reduce the dryness of the wood. You can then wipe off the excess oil the next day.
- Protects the Wood from Tear and Wear: Since Boos Mystery Oil penetrates deep into every fiber, it helps reduce and prevent moisture loss. As such, susceptibility to cracking, drying, and splitting is reduced significantly. This means you can use your butcher for years before replacement.
- Bolsters the Wood Appearance: Besides protecting against tear and wear, the oil also enhances the color and grain of the wood. In so doing, it helps restore the cutting board’s natural beauty.
- NSF Certified: As an NSF-certified oil, it means it is safe for use since it meets the National Sanitation Foundation’s standards.
You can get the Boos Mystery Oil in 2 ounces, 16 ounces, and 128 ounces capacities. When using it, you should avoid over-oiling your wood products.
What Is Mineral Oil?
Mineral oil is a colorless, odorless, and oil liquid extracted from petroleum distillation. Unlike Boos Mystery oil, it is used in many applications such as medicine and coating wooden surfaces.
It is used on wooden surfaces to create a shiny appearance. Like Boos Mystery Oil, it contains food-safe ingredients allowing you to use on kitchen surfaces such as chopping boards and butcher blocks.
Since there are many types of mineral oils, ensure to buy one that is food-safe. Otherwise, you might contaminate your food. Food-safe options are odorless and contain no harmful additives.
Unfortunately, mineral oil does not penetrate deep into every grain fiber, meaning it offers inferior protection.
Why Use Mineral Oil?
- Safe to Use: Mineral oil is food-safe meaning you can use it on kitchen surfaces and other food-contact surfaces.
- Helps Bolster Durability: Like Boos Mystery Oil, it helps harden the wooden surface making it more resistant to wear and tear.
- Improves Aesthetics: As mentioned, mineral oil creates a shiny appearance that bolsters the product’s appeal to the eye.
- Prevents Entry of Moisture: Mineral oil creates a coating that is resistant to moisture, mitigating splitting, warping, and cracking.
- Readily Available: Unlike Boos Mystery Oil, mineral oil is easy to find. Not to mention it is cheaper. You can find it in local grocery stores and drug outlets. Boos Mystery Oil is available in select kitchenware stores and online retailers.
Boos Mystery Oil Vs Mineral Oil – Comparison
As you can see, Boos Mystery Oil penetrates deep into each grain fiber offering superior protection.
Mineral oil on the other hand penetrates shallowly, meaning a cutting board with Boos Mystery Oil will outlast one with mineral oil.
Furthermore, Boos Mystery Oil creates a more durable barrier on the wood’s surface. It is not uncommon to find cracks on chopping boards where mineral oils have been applied.
While both are food-safe, Boos Mystery Oil is NSF certified, while mineral oil is not. This means the former is better suited for commercial use. Mineral oil is ideal for home use or applications that don’t have stringent regulations.
| Boos Mystery Oil | Mineral Oil | |
| Ingredients | Mineral oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax | Mineral oil |
| Price | Expensive | Cheaper |
| Penetration | Deep | Shallow |
| Surface protection | Excellent | Average |
| NSF certified | Yes | No |
| Food-safe | Yes | Yes |
How Do You Apply Boos Mystery Oil or Mineral Oil?
Since both are oils, you’ll need to prepare your wooden surface before application. Here is a step-by-step guide.
- First, clean the cutting board or any wood product with soapy water. You can also use salt and lemon to remove stubborn residue. Once clean, allow it to dry thoroughly.
- Once clean, take a soft cloth pour a significant amount of oil, and apply it in an even layer over the wooden surface. Depending on the wood’s texture, you can rub it lightly. Apply as much as you can but do not overdo it.
- Let the oil soak overnight. This will allow the oil to penetrate into the wood, especially Boos Mystery Oil.
- Wipe off the excess oil the next day with a dry cloth. Using the same cloth, buff the surface in small circles until it becomes shiny.
- Let the board or countertop sit for a few hours until it is dry enough.
- Now you can chop your meat or vegetables on it.
How Often Should You Use Oil on Your Wooden Products?
Well, this depends on the type of wood and how often it is used. If you want to oil your chopping board or butcher board, you can do so once a month.
But if the products are used regularly, oiling twice a month would be an ideal option. Once you notice the surface is becoming faded and dry, consider oiling it.
Boos Mystery Oil Vs Mineral Oil: Which Should You Use?
Boos Mystery Oil is an ideal option if your wooden products such as chopping boards are used regularly. This can be useful in restaurants, butcheries, and similar places.
It is also a perfect choice if you want to improve the longevity of your culinary utensils or countertops. Mineral oil is ideal for home use since it is cheaper and readily available.