24/11/2021
Why Raw Linseed Oil?
When purchasing Linseed Oil, you could be purchasing one of three main manufactured types of Linseed Oil. This depends on how the Linseed Oil is produced, or treated after or during production.
First up, Raw Linseed Oil.
Uncle John's Raw Linseed Oil is of course, Raw Linseed Oil. It is a thick oil that is extracted from 100% flax seeds producing a pure linseed oil. It can take several days to cure between coats, depending on the type of wood, application method, and ambient temperature. Raw Linseed Oil is safe to use on food contact surfaces, like cutting boards. It is also completely safe if it comes into contact with edible plants and their soil.
Next is polymerized, stand, or pure boiled linseed oil.
It is pure, and it has been boiled for several days for thickening, and is normally achieved by manufacturing at home. It can be quite hard to find commercially due to the time it takes to manufacture. It dries faster than raw linseed oil, but it does still need a few days to cure. It is completely safe on food contact surfaces or if it comes into contact with edible plants and their soil.
Finally, there is boiled linseed oil. This is linseed oil that has chemical additives in it, or the oil has been extracted with the use of chemicals to decrease drying time. It is not actually boiled, like traditional Pure Boiled Linseed Oil. Boiled Linseed Oil dries in as little as 12 hours. It contains can contain toxic additives, such as cobalt and petroleum, so cannot be used on food contact surfaces or anywhere it might leach into the soil and contaminate edible plants.
