How to Make a Wood Slice Serving Board

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I love the look of wood slices – they’re so rustic looking. Here’s how to make a wood slice serving board.

I’ve been into charcuterie boards lately. My kids and I love nibbling on meat and cheese. Charcuterie boards are also great for when you have company as well.

This craft couldn’t be any easier. It’s simply how to take a wood slice and turn it into a serving board or tray. The key is to make it food safe.

Supplies Needed to Make a Wood Slice Serving Board

• wood slice
• sandpaper and/or palm sander (150 and 220 grit)
• food-grade conditioning oil – either mineral oil or a plant based oil; if using mineral oil, make sure it is food-grade (as opposed to regular mineral oil)
• rag: I use a cut-up old t-shirt
• food-grade sealing wax (optional)

You may be lucky to get a wood slice from someone’s tree. Be sure it’s nice and dry before you start this project. I just got the one off of Amazon.

It is important to treat the wood with oil intended for butcher blocks or cutting boards. This will keep the wood slice from drying out and cracking.

Mineral oil is a petroleum-based product that prevents the absorption of water. It is relatively inexpensive and is colourless and odourless. Unlike cooking oils we have in the kitchen (grapeseed, olive, coconut), mineral oil will not go rancid.

If you want something that is not a petroleum product, I came across this Caron & Doucet oil which is plant-based but will not go rancid. I liked the fact that it was natural and wanted to try it on my wood slice serving board.

How to Oil and Seal Your Wood Slice Serving Board

Ensure that your wood slice is clean. Check the bark for dirt and moss. Mine was a little delicate, so be careful.

You want the wood slice to be nice and smooth. Mine arrived from Amazon feeling quite smooth so I only sanded it a bit with 220 grit paper. If you got yours from the “wild”, you’ll want to spend some time sanding it carefully so that it’s nice and smooth.

Pour some of the mineral oil on the wood slice surface and rub it in with a rag. It’ll soak up a lot at first. As this is the first time you will want 3 to 4 coats. Allow it to dry for at least half an hour in between each coat. Don’t forget the other side as well.

The wood will suck up the oil and it will act as a seal. Oiling wood is something you should do periodically to ensure it doesn’t dry out.

As a bonus, you could also add some wax to it. Since I bought the 2 piece set I thought I would give it a try. The wax creates a hard finish and helps protect it from stains. Wax is not necessary since we added the oil, but it does make it look nice and I figure since it is being used for serving, having that added bit of protection would be helpful.

Incidentally, while I was at it, I took the opportunity to oil my wooden cutting board, which I will admit I have never done. They sure needed it.

Look how nice the wood slice turned out after it was oiled and waxed. Keep in mind that this is NOT a cutting board, but a serving board. I wouldn’t put raw meat on this, nor would I take a chef’s knife or cleaver to it. It does make, however, a lovely serving board.

This was a relatively easy craft that didn’t require too much. I love how it turned out.

Want to remember how to make a wood slice serving board? Be sure to save this to your favourite Pinterest board.