Help! My clock won’t work

It has been known for the mechanism on the clock to stop working. This can happen if the hands are moved manually, rather than using the wheel on the clock mechanism itself.

The good news is that new mechanisms can be sourced relatively cheaply from ebay. I would link to specific product, but depending on the dimensions of the clock, I could have used any number of variants. It’s probably best to send me an email at thomasgluce@gmail.com

Maintaining wooden boards

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Cleaning

I suggest just wiping your boards immediately after use with a wet cloth. Failing that, gently wash with warm soap and water and then dry with kitchen towel.

The less contact time the board has with water the better. You should never put wooden items in the dishwasher, or leave them in a sink full of water.

Oiling

Wooden boards dry out over time and need to be oiled on occasion to prevent them from cracking.

As a rule, the less aggressively you clean your board, the less you’ll need to oil/wax it.

You’ll have to oil/wax the board whenever you feel it getting a little dry.   The frequency of this will vary depending on how much you use it, but a rough guide is every 2-3 months.

What oil to use

As a rule you’ll want an oil that can penetrate the wood, but that is non drying and food safe.

Mineral oil is usually a good choice because of its properties that prevent water absorption, combined with its lack of flavour and odour. It’s often referred to as butchers block oil.

I make my own ‘spoon butter’ that I use to finish anything that needs to be food safe. It is a mixture of 4 parts mineral oil to 1 part beeswax. The wax gives a little more protection to the wood, and as a bonus it smells a bit like honey.

I provide a tub of this lovely stuff with any board that I sell.

 
 
 

How to apply spoon butter

  1. Wash board with water and soap

  2. Dry completely

  3. Use your hands or a cloth to apply the spoon butter mixture liberally, working across the entire surface

  4. Leave to sit for a few hours (I usually leave it overnight)

  5. Buff off all excess with a soft cloth

  6. You should have a nice, satiny surface, not at all greasy