Help for new guy - food safe wood

[jroney]

I am new to carving, and want to do things like salad spoons, and other things that will be used for wood. I need help in2 areas :
Is there any common wood I should not use?
What is the best finish method to ensure safe food handling?

Thanks
John

[Mitchell]

Try a couple of these:

Spoon/Scoop Wood Type - Source
Food safe finish for spoon
Food safe mineral oil

Used the search function with the words "food safe wood".

You could most likely get good results by searching the internet also - just can't get the feedback like you can here.

Welcome to the site.

[jroney]

Thanks ...that was quick, and useful. As we used to say in school "you done good!".

John

[bhusbands]

If it helps I have been making cutting boards for quite a while and only use hardwood. I the give it a good coating of a product called "Preserve". Preserve is made from nut meats and is safe to use immediately. I guess the same principal would apply yo spoons.

Good Luck

[brian-bailey]

John,

Here's a link to Jeff Jewitt's website. He's an expert in the finishing field. Read the paragraph under Safety / Enviromental about food safe finishes.

http://www.homesteadfinishing.com/ht...singFinish.htm


Do a Google search on Wood Toxicity for species that cause problems.

Hope this helps.

[Dave J]

since I turn more than carve I have read that the very best and most used native wood in the old days is/was sycamore. the artical said it had the least toxins of all native US wood.

[jroney]

Thanks to ya'll for a lot of help!

Jroney

[Dave J]

Jroney,
I forgot, when it comes to food service probably the worst to use would be walnut! as far as domestic wood I should add.
it has been found that even to horses, walnut shavings/sawdust in a horse stall will make them sick thru thier hoofs.
There are numerous finishes usually called salad bowl finishes that are good for food utensils. even then wood food items should not be left in the dish water only as much as necessary. they say that common veg. oil can be wiped on once in a while