rcd@opus.UUCP (Dick Dunn) (04/27/84)
I should have said more in my previous posting (a followup) about finishing
wood to be used with food.
Mineral oil will work for a first finish (I just checked on that) but has
to be renewed regularly.
The problems with most woodworking finishes are twofold. First, the finish
itself may be toxic, as I mentioned before. (It's most likely to be the
petroleum distillate used as vehicle that causes the problem.) But second,
foods can attack finishes and draw out toxic compounds. Two common
offenders are acids (vinegar, lemon juice in salad dressings, for example)
and alcoholic beverages. Hot foods can also be unkind - remember that if
you've just fried something it's going to come out of the fat at over 300
F.
An old Fine Woodworking magazine I have mentions two finishes - clear epoxy
varnish and Behlen's Salad Bowl finish. There are others, though it may
take some looking. The bottom line remains: Make sure it SAYS it's safe
for food.
--
...Cerebus for dictator! Dick Dunn
{hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd (303) 444-5710 x3086