FAQ

  • Are your products handmade?
    • Yes.  All our products are made by me (Brian) in my tiny 100 square foot "woodworking shop".  I source local wood and create all products from scratch.  This means nothing is imported or pre-poured, and I don't own a CNC.  This also means some products may contain minor imperfections as these are not mass produced, but I like to think any imperfections ironically give a product more character and allow it to have its own story.

 

  • What’s the difference between a cutting board and a charcuterie board?
    • Cutting boards are designed for cutting and chopping food in preparation of a meal.  These boards are designed to withstand regular knife use.  Cutting boards only contain wood.
    • Charcuterie boards (also called serving trays) are designed to serve food in its final form (i.e. food that has already been prepared/chopped/etc.).  Charcuterie boards are not designed for cutting or chopping.  Charcuterie boards typically contain wood and epoxy (river boards and ocean boards).
      • While these boards are not designed for cutting or chopping, the wood portion of charcuterie boards may be cut on, but it may leave knife marks that impact the aesthetics of the board.  The epoxy portion of charcuterie boards should not be cut on, as it scratches easily and can create epoxy particles.

 

  • How should I clean my board?
    • DO:
      • Hand wash only.
      • Use warm water and liquid dish soap.
      • Wash both sides.
      • Air dry.
      • Try to allow both the top and back of the board to dry evenly to prevent warping.
    • DON'T:
      • Soak boards in a sink full of water.
      • Put boards in the dishwasher.
      • Put boards in the microwave.
      • Use boards as a hot plate.
    • All our products are made with natural wood.  Wood can warp and twist if it is subjected to too much water for too long or if different parts of the wood dry at different rates.  That said, don't be afraid to wash your board; if it's hand-washed quickly (not placed dirty in a sink with water) and allowed to air dry evenly, you should not run into any problems.

 

  • How should I store my board?
    • Boards should be kept in a cool location and out of direct sunlight as UV light will darken the wood and change the color of epoxy.

 

  • Do you dye or color the wood?
    • No.  The wood is never dyed or colored.  The only "color" added to boards is mineral oil and board butter which darkens the color of the wood (similar to getting something wet).  The bright colors you see are typically from exotic woods like padauk and purpleheart.  These woods are naturally bright, though they do fade over time.

 

  • What’s a juice groove?
    • A juice groove collects any juices, oils, or other liquids from food being cut.  It runs along the perimeter of the surface of the board.  While a juice groove does create a nice aesthetic to the top of the board and helps keep a clean counter, keep in mind it slightly reduces the cutting area.

 

  • Are the dimensions listed exact?
    • Pre-made products have dimensions listed within ¼”.
    • Made-to-Order Custom products:
      • Because our products are completely handmade, dimensions may vary slightly depending on the amount of finishing required.  Please expect the length and width to vary up to 1/2" and the thickness to vary up to 1/8" from the size selected on all products.

 

  • How long does shipping take?
    • Free shipping will utilize the most economic option which is usually 5-8 business days.  You can pay for upgraded, expedited shipping at checkout.
    • Processing time (time from when an item is ordered until it is shipped) is generally 5 business days.  Ready-to-ship items may ship sooner than this.

 

  • My board contains epoxy (river or ocean board).  Can I cut on the epoxy?
    • No.  Cutting on the epoxy will leave knife marks that cannot be easily re-finished.  This can also create small epoxy particles that you should not consume.

     

    • My cutting board is looking dry and not repelling water.  What do I do?
      • All our products come with food-safe mineral oil and board butter already applied.  If you use your board frequently and notice its color starts to fade and water not repelling like it used to, you can re-condition the board.  To do so, follow these steps:
        • Apply any food-grade mineral oil to the board and allow the wood to soak it in overnight, up to 24 hours max.  
          • Oil the entire board (not just the top) to ensure even absorption and to prevent warping.  Try to prop the board up or place it in a dish rack to allow air to flow all around the board. 
          • Wipe the board of excess oil after letting it sit overnight.
          • You can find mineral oil in grocery stores or major online retailers.
          • Never use oils besides mineral oil on the board (olive oil, vegetable oil, sunflower oil, etc.) as these oils can spoil and get rancid.
        • Apply a Board Butter to the board.  Board butter (or board conditioner as it's sometimes called) is a paste that contains beeswax and mineral oil (some contain additional waxes and vitamins) and provides additional protection and water repellency.
          • Simply buff the board butter into all surfaces, let sit 4-8 hours, then wipe away the excess.
          • Boards that see heavy use can benefit from board butter every few uses.  If board is on display, condition every 2-3 months.
          • We make our own board butter that works great with our boards.

     

    • My cutting board has a lot of knife scratches.  How can I refinish the board?
      • If your board has seen a lot of knife wear, you can re-sand the cutting area up to 220 grit.  Depending on the depth of gouges, you may start with 60, 80, or 120 grit.  After sanding, apply mineral oil and then a board butter.

     

    • Do you have any other board care tips?
      • The New York Times has a great article on board care tips.  Most of these tips are already covered in this FAQ, but take a look at this article for more care tips.

     

    • Do you offer a Warranty?  What about returns?
      • All my products are made with extreme attention to detail.  Because my products are completely handmade, minor imperfections can be expected, so long as they do not interfere with the purpose of the product.  That said, if there is a defect in the material or workmanship, products can be returned within 30 days.  Items must be returned in new condition and packaged well for the return.  Shipping cost and packaging are the customer's responsibility.  Windrift Woodworks is not responsible if the product was misused or exposed to extreme temperatures or humidity.  If you feel you need to return your product due to a defect in material or workmanship, please reach out to me on the Contact page, and we’ll work this out.