Take part in our Christmas game and try to win a handmade wooden product 🌿🎁

Grapeseed oil, an elixir for wood

Widely known in the world of cooking and cosmetics, grapeseed oil is also a treasure for wood care.

This article introduces this oil and explains how to use it to embellish and prolong the life of your wooden crockery.

Anne-Laure CompainAnne-Laure Compain

Anne-Laure Compain

Nature Lovers
Published on 1 November 2023 (Updated on 2 February 2024)
bunch of grapes
grapeseed oil in a bottle
bunch of grapes on a vine

What is grapeseed oil?


How is grapeseed oil made?

As its name suggests, grape seed oil is made from the grapes used to produce wine.

Thanks to its cold extraction process, this oil is naturally rich in antioxidants.


What is grapeseed oil made of?

Grape seed oil is a nutrient-rich oil that is highly beneficial to the human body.

It is naturally composed of fatty acids and powerful antioxidants such as vitamin E.

Why use grapeseed oil to care for wooden crockery?


Why this oil and not the others?

Grapeseed oil offers more advantages than other wood care oils such as linseed oil, Danish oil or tung oil.

  • It's very light and less oily than other oils, which means your wooden crockery will dry faster and won't stick during drying.
  • It's also odorless and won't stain wood, unlike linseed oil.

🌳 Grape seed oil is sustainably produced from grape residues from the wine industry, reducing waste. What's more, it's non-toxic and food-safe, making it an ideal option for kitchen utensils. 🌳


The benefits of grapeseed oil on wood

Protects wood

The antioxidant properties of grapeseed oil protect wood from light-induced discoloration. The oil also forms a protective barrier against moisture.

Nourishes wood

Grapeseed oil nourishes the wood deep down, preventing it from drying out and cracking.

Are you interested in the world of wood? 🌳

Discover the incredible versatility of wood through various species and the world of woodworking. By subscribing, you'll receive information on wood and wood species once a week.

How to use grapeseed oil on wooden crockery?


Wash the surface to be treated

The first step is to clean your wooden crockery. Use lukewarm water and mild soap to remove food residues and bacteria. Rinse and dry your wooden product thoroughly.

Make sure your product is not damp before applying grapeseed oil.

Why use lukewarm water?

  • Hot water will expand the wood and damage it.
  • Cold water will not remove food residues

Which mild soap should I use?

To wash your wooden dishes, use a natural, non-chemical soap. You can use a natural almond milk and honey soap, for example.

Choosing your oil

Here are a few things to look for when buying grapeseed oil:

  • Pure oil with no additives or chemicals
  • Organic, unrefined oil
  • Cold-pressed oil
Buy oil

Apply grapeseed oil

  • Pour a small amount of oil either directly onto your wooden crockery or onto a soft, clean cloth.
  • Spread the oil in a very thin layer over the entire surface of the crockery, not forgetting the edges or handle holes.
  • Allow the oil to penetrate for about 20-30 minutes, allowing the wood to absorb the oil thoroughly.
  • Remove excess oil with a cloth.
  • Allow to dry for several hours. Overnight drying is a good way to ensure that dishes are thoroughly dry.


Example: Maintaining your kuksa with grapeseed oil

In the photos below, you can see the kuksa on the left before applying the oil and on the right afterwards.

kuksa before applying grapeseed oil
kuksa after applying grapeseed oil

My feelings after using grapeseed oil:

  • This oil has no odor or color.
  • It's easy to spread with a cloth, but also with your hands.
  • It can be used in the kitchen, so it's reassuring when applied to wooden crockery
  • It's easy to find in stores

Advantages and disadvantages of grapeseed oil


AdvantagesDisadvantages

Light

Seed oil gives a natural finish to wood, as it is light and penetrates easily into the wood without leaving residues.

Reduced protection time

Compared with other oils, grapeseed oil requires more regular maintenance to keep the wood in good health.

Natural protection

This oil creates a protective barrier on the surface of the wood, helping to shield it from moisture, stains and scratches.

Complicated storage

Grapeseed oil goes rancid more quickly than other oils, so proper storage is essential.

Moisturizing wood

Grape seed oil deeply nourishes wood, helping to prevent it from drying out and cracking.

Durability

It's a light oil that doesn't offer long-lasting protection and requires more maintenance for frequently used crockery.

Fast drying

Short drying time, so dishes can be used quickly.

-

Want to know more about wood care?

If you like wooden products, then these articles should be of interest to you too.

Christmas game, Finnish tradition

Enjoy an authentic, traditional Christmas with our competition!

Try your luck at receiving one of our handmade wooden products, specially selected to dazzle your festive table.Each piece is imbued with the beauty of Finnish nature and reflects the warm spirit of Christmas.

Participate in the game
all-lutin-noel-7
Play our Christmas game

For Christmas, try to win one of our 3 favorite kuksa. A handmade wooden mug to celebrate the festive season. 🎄

To enter, add your email address below

Contest results on December 21. 🍀

kuksa tronc arbre bouleau finlande

Cookies

We and selected third parties use cookies or similar technologies for technical purposes and, with your consent, for experience, measurement and marketing.