Is Polyurethane Food Safe On Wood Countertops? A Simple (But Complete) Guide
When you are done varnishing your countertop or dining table, do you know the feeling? You cannot wait to use it when you look at it shining and glazing your eyes.
However, despite the tops looking glossy, you wonder exactly how safe the Propylene, ethylene, Propylene, and Butyl Methacrylate in the finish are for you and your family.
With children constantly licking things and surfaces, you can’t help but wonder how Polyurethane could affect your household.
To answer your question;
Is Polyurethane Food Safe for Wood Countertops?
Polyurethane is ideally food-safe. The FDA has proven that it has no toxic effects as long as the required precautions are taken. Polyurethane cannot react after it is cured, which may take up to a month, depending on the type you use.
Water-based Polyurethane only needs three days to cure completely.
How Long Until the Polyurethane is Safe on Countertops?
Polyurethane is very toxic and dangerous to ingest if it is uncured. Uncured Polyurethane is a finish that has not entirely solidified and dried.
Different polyurethane varnishes cure differently. The oil-based Polyurethane takes about 30 days to cure completely. After this period on your countertop, you can use it even with food.
Water-based Polyurethane takes a much shorter time to dry and cure completely. It will be beneficial if you don’t have much time to spend away from your countertop.
How Can You Tell Whether or Not Your Polyurethane Countertop is Completely Cured?
There is no test for this. However, it is easy to tell based on observation. Cured Polyurethane feels completely dry to the touch. It is not sticky, and though it appears glossy, it does not seem too oily or liquid-like.
If anything feels different, it is not dry even after more than three days for the water-based polyurethane varnish and 30 days for the oil-based Polyurethane. Therefore, it is not food-safe.
So you might want to wait a little longer. Better late than sorry, right?
After curing, both water and oil-based varnishes are safe for contact with food.
What Will Happen if Food Comes in Contact with Uncured Polyurethane?
Uncured Polyurethane is unsafe for consumption, and it can cause serious health problems. Consuming food that has been in contact with uncured Polyurethane can cause nausea, vomiting, and throat irritation.
When consumed, the Polyurethane, through a chemical reaction, forms a hard, sticky substance that keeps expanding. The hard glue-like matter then blocks the passage of food to the stomach, causing an obstruction.
As the hard matter reacts with even more substances in the elementary canal, it continues to swell.
The oesophagus is lined with a thin and delicate mucus-like layer. The swelling of the now hard substance causes tearing and bruising of the entire lining of the oesophagus, causing severe difficulties in your health.
The dangers of consumption of uncured Polyurethane affect both humans and animals. It would help if you watched your pets not to be in contact with any uncured polyurethane. What is unsafe for you affects them as well.
After noticing the symptoms associated with consuming uncured Polyurethane, the best course of action is to rush to the hospital.
Since the symptoms do not show instantly, the sooner you get to the hospital, the better you or your family.
In addition, pets should be rushed to the vet as quickly as possible.
FAQs
1. Is Polyurethane safe for Butcher block countertops?
Yes, Polyurethane is food safe only if it is fully cured and dry and cannot cause harm if you cut meat on it. However, always cutting things on it will ruin your new, shiny countertop.
It won’t harm you, but you might damage it, and it will end up not giving you the service you anticipate.
2. How many coats of Polyurethane should you apply on the countertop for best results?
The number of polyurethane coats is determined by the state of the wood beneath it. Unfinished wood requires at least three coats of varnish to be durable and robust.
Finished wood only needs two coats of Polyurethane, and it is good to go.
3. Is inhaling uncured Polyurethane harmful?
Yes. Inhaling uncured varnish of any kind causes difficulty in breathing. In addition, it is hazardous to people with underlying respiratory disorders like asthma.
Always wear gloves, a mask, and protective gear when handling Polyurethane.
Safe food saves life
Sure, Polyurethane is food safe for your countertops, but you have to wait until it is dry. It may take a while, but if it assures you of safety, I say, why not?
Try your best to keep off wet and uncured varnishes to avoid food contact and inhalation since it can be just as dangerous.
Water-based Polyurethane is more convenient since it dries faster, and you start using your countertop after only three days.
Check out other advantages of water-based Polyurethane here.
The Best Epoxies for a Cutting Board
Cutting boards are some of the most used kitchen items. They are used for functions ranging from the usual chopping and slicing to a particular serving.
Therefore, cutting boards get in contact with all sorts of things, from meat, vegetables, and even cheese.
They are therefore prone to damage and even rotting depending on the wood. Coating your cutting board with epoxy increases its durability, functionality appearance, and resistance to wear.
Here is a list of the best epoxies for your cutting board;
1. MAX CLR Epoxy Resin
If you are looking for an excellent food-safe epoxy to coat your cutting board, MAX CLR Epoxy Resin is ideal for you. You can use it on your tables and cutting boards without fearing it may be harmful to you and your family.
Its chemical resistance reduces the risk of damage by hot items or drinks, alcohol, and cleaning supplies. With this coating, you might have a cutting board for generations.
It also comes with self-explanatory instructions that make the application process easier and more manageable. A little goes a long way with MAX CLR Epoxy Resin, and you, therefore, don’t need too much of it.
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Durable
- Shiny and glossy finish
- Food safe
- Impact-resistant
- Mild smell
- It doesn’t tint or yellow
Cons
- It takes long to dry
2. ZdSticky Epoxy Resin
ZdSticky epoxy is not only food safe but also environmentally safe. It guarantees safety during the application process and after it is all over and done.
You can comfortably use this epoxy without worrying about food safety in your household.
The technology used in its manufacture includes formulations that allow for easier application, fewer bubbles during application, a glossier finish that will complement your cutting board, and more hardness, ensuring that your cutting board is not easily damaged; it lasts a long time in mint condition.
Pros
- Food safe after curing
- Non-toxic to inhale and to the environment
- Easy application
- Money-back guarantee
- Stable performance
- Clear and glossy appearance
Con
- It takes longer to cure
3. NicPro Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin
You cannot go wrong with the NicPro Crystal Clear Epoxy Resin. The clear instructions and easy ratio of 1:1 make it easy to work with.
In addition, its crystal clear appearance is maintained after curing, which only takes 24 hours.
Additionally, NicPro, being clear allows you the liberty to add any desired pigment for your desired appearance. You can even make patterns because it gels so well with other pigments.
Its self-leveling and degassing formulation makes it so easy for you. You get to coat our cutting board and sit back for 24 hours till it’s cured, level, and free of any bubbles.
Pros
- Money-back guarantee
- Food safe
- Mild smell
- Fast curing
- UV resistant
- No tinting
- Versatile to work with
- Easy to use
Con
- Hard to smooth
4. Pro Marine Clear Table Top Epoxy Resin
The Pro Marine Clear Table Top Epoxy Resin is perfect for cutting boards that may be used for chopping vegetables and meats due to its toughness when it cures.
This epoxy coating is easy to apply due to its easy mixing ratio. You cannot make any mistakes with this one.
You do not need any experience to use this epoxy.
You can coat your cutting board even with people around. With this epoxy, you don’t have to worry about fumes or smells since it is low on odor and is free of any volatile organic compounds.
Pros
- Easy application
- Durable
- Not easily damaged
- Glossy finish
- 100% food safe
- Safe to apply and use
- Crystal clear setting
- No bubbles
- Minimal fumes
Con
- Hard to spread
5. Incredible Solutions Crystal Clear Cast Table Top Epoxy
This epoxy gives you the desired outcome; a shiny, solid and safe cutting board top. In addition, it is entirely food safe after curing; therefore, you don’t have to be afraid to use it for food.
Just wash it before using it, and you are good to go.
The Incredible Solutions Crystal Clear Cast Tabletop Epoxy dries quickly with a clear and transparent finish. It remains this way even after years of use because it is reinforced with UV inhibitors that prevent any yellowing of the epoxy.
Pros
- No tint Incredible Solutions
- Durable
- Clear and glossy finish
- Easy to apply
- Quick to cure
- No odor
- No bubbling
- Super smooth surfaces
Cons
- Thick layers cure slowly
Factors to Consider When Buying Epoxy for Cutting Boards
1. Curing duration
It is important to consider how long the epoxy cures to ensure it corresponds with the time you are willing to dedicate to the process. For example, oil-based epoxies take longer to cure than water-based epoxies.
Depending on your schedule and how soon you want to use your cutting board, you can choose the suitable epoxy.
2. Texture: hardness or softness
Cutting boards are used for different functions. For example, the hardest option would be best suited when using epoxy to coat a cutting board used to cut meat.
Therefore, the texture is very dependent on the intended function of the cutting board.
3. Price
The goal is always to achieve the best quality at the most reasonable price. However, epoxies come in different amounts and at different prices.
Therefore, choose an epoxy-based on how much you need to cover and the quality you intend to achieve.
4. Food safety
Many epoxies contain VOCs, which can be scary, especially when using it in the kitchen or kitchen appliances.
Always check to see that it is food safe, according to FDA, before buying any epoxy that could come in contact with food.
5. Durability
While epoxies play a significant role in enhancing the appearance of items, they also reinforce their strength. In addition, the harder the epoxy sets, the harder it is to damage.
This makes it more durable than softer epoxies that may scratch or wear easily in a short period.
FAQs
1. Is it safe to eat epoxy resin?
No. ingesting epoxy is very dangerous as it can affect your entire digestive system.
Ingesting foods in contact with uncured epoxy could also cause serious health complications. However, after it is completely dry and cured, epoxy is completely food-safe to use in the kitchen.
2. Can you put dried fruits in resin?
Yes. One advantage of using epoxy and resin is that you can decorate it as you would like. This includes putting dried fruits and plants in resin.
However, you have to be very careful by ensuring that the items used are completely dry, with no moisture.
Otherwise, they will start to rot and cause your cutting board to rot as well. This may be hazardous, and it won’t last as long as it should.
Conclusion
If you are on the hunt for the best epoxy for your cutting board, the Pro Marine Clear Table Top Epoxy Resin takes the price. While all the epoxies are food safe and hard to damage, it is easy to apply; it gives the best results.
With the Pro Marine Clear Table Top Epoxy Resin, you don’t have to worry about bubbles or tinting.
Therefore, you can use the top as it is or customize it using your preferred colors.
Its ability to harden also makes it difficult to damage, thus making it durable.
This epoxy is also perfect for a cutting board because it is 100% safe, as proven by the FDA. It cures and dries quickly, so you won’t have to wait around all week to use your cutting board.
At a reasonable price of $15.98, you can coat your cutting board with this epoxy assuring you safety and durability.
