On Mon, 07 Mar 2005 01:29:57 -0500, "Bob (this one)" >
wrote:

>
>A long time ago, it was animal fats. Butchers scraped their blocks and
>rubbed them with lard or beef fat. Country people rubbed pig tails on
>their skillets to grease them and their boards to "slick" them. Then
>when liquid oils became available, they were used. Then the carpenters
>and cabinetmakers got into the act and promoted mineral oil because it
>works on armoires and dining room tables, and they just figured...
>Normal people kept to food oils anyway, because they work just fine.


Ahem-- Cabinetmakers use hardening oils, like "boiled" linseed and
tung.Mineral oil doesn't polymerize. But woodworkers get nervous when
they make cutting boards and salad bowls, because their normal
finishing materials aren't rated for contact with food.

Mineral oil (USP) at least won't poison anyone, even if it does the
cutting board no good.



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


"Be careful. The toe you stepped on yesterday may be connected to the ass you have to kiss today." --Former mayor Ciancia