Turned wood boxes inside finish?

[Mark Ahlenius]

Hi

Wondering what the experts here have to say about the inside finish for small turned boxes which might be used for food, eg things like salt and spices, etc?
Just leave it natural? Using; cherry, walnut and maple for these little gift boxes.

Note that the inset tops of these boxes will be small disks of splated maple, but that surface won’t be touching the inside of the lid.

Thank you,

‘Markl

 

[Gabriel Hoff]

I would use beeswax or a similar food safe oil finish such as Tried and True Original Wood Finish or Mahoney's Utility Finish. I put links to both down below. Just make sure to let it cure before letting food touch the surface.

Mahoney's Finishes Utility Finish

Mahoney's Walnut Oil Utility Finish is a specially blended walnut oil that penetrates deep into the wood and hardens quickly leaving a rich, durable wood finish that won't evaporate like "off the shelf" mineral oil finishes.Mahoney’s finishes are made with pure California Walnut oil that is very...

woodturnerscatalog.com

Tried and True Original Wood Finish

Original Wood Finish is a superior blend of polymerized linseed oil & beeswax that’s ideal for use on almost any type of woodwork. It’s easy to apply and provides excellent protection against water and liquids. Original Wood Finish is an excellent choice for use on kitchenware, salad or serving...

woodturnerscatalog.com

 

[Richard Coers]

NEVER use a solvent based finish inside a tight container. It will out gas for years and actually put a flavor in salt of spices. I leave them raw wood, but if you must put on a finish, water based finish or shellac would be my choices.

 

[Gord Cameron]

Mark, I would say that, for dry spices etc. in a box made of those woods, there is no need for any finish. If you want something for appearance, walnut oil or shellac will fit the purpose, and both are easy finishes to work with.

 

[John K Jordan]

Wondering what the experts here have to say about the inside finish for small turned boxes which might be used for food, eg things like salt and spices, etc?

Hey Mark.
If the inside is smooth I like to use shellac. Shellac is safe around food.

I usually don't go for gloss, but I like the looks of it when I make lidded boxes that are sort of "egg shaped" inside.


JKJ

 

[Webb Willmott]

Burnished wax. Both carnauba and beeswax are used on food. I never met a M&M I didn’t like and they are coated with carnauba wax. The box will be ready for immediate use and won’t impart any off flavors.u

 

[Steve Tiedman]

I agree- non-solvent finishes.

I'd leave the inside naked, and any of the Tried and True versions, or shellac, on the outside only. If you have pure tung oil on hand, that would work great on the outside, too.

I think I'd stick with one or two very light coats of oil, no surface flooding. T&T directions instruct "VERY LIGHT COATS" (yeah, capitalized and everything). I'd treat tung oil the same way.

I made a thin cherry bowl one time that had the oil pass through from one surface to the other as I applied it, showing speckled oily spots on the side I hadn't yet finished. I'll assume your containers will be fairly thin and light, so yes, very light coats.

 

[Mark Ahlenius]

All, thank you for each of your responses, all very helpful.