I am turning a bowl of aeromatic cedar and I was wondering if this is ok to use as a salad bowl? Will the smell come through and not make a good bowl?
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Aeromatic cedar
- Thread starter Billhoward
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- May 16, 2005
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Odor is in the oils, and they will certainly add some flavor to the salad oil you use. Whether you regard it as spice or nuisance is a matter of taste.
Cedar oil concerns.....
Hi Bill:
I agree with MM that some of the cedar oils may come out into compatible liquid solvents into the bowl's contents, even if "oiled" with something like walnut or mineral oil - salad oil would be another solvent.
If 'aromatic cedar' (as in aroma) is what you are turning, and it is a Juniper species, some of the oil in the wood can come out and 'alter' the bowl's contents. In general, "cedar oil" is considered fairly safe in low concentrations, it is however used in various insect repellents, as additives to animal/hamster bedding, and in flea collars - not the kind of materials that I would think would add productively to a salad.
See the pdf at the following link for more information:
http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/3150fact.pdf
From a structural standpoint, juniper wood is fairly soft, and depending on how thin the wood is turned to, can be somewhat brittle. It also darkens excessively when oil finishes are applied. I personally would not consider making utility bowls from this wood, just based on these 'deficient' physical properties, let alone the possibility of serving food that might taste like "Pinesol salad".
BTW - I suppose 'aeromatic cedar' would be when a piece of juniper wood is chucked up in the lathe, spinning happily while doing a demo, and then launches into the air after you hit a bad knot. Ask the members of my turning club how I turned a piece of aeromatic cedar about 5 years ago!
Hope this helps...
Rob Wallace
Hi Bill:
I agree with MM that some of the cedar oils may come out into compatible liquid solvents into the bowl's contents, even if "oiled" with something like walnut or mineral oil - salad oil would be another solvent.
If 'aromatic cedar' (as in aroma) is what you are turning, and it is a Juniper species, some of the oil in the wood can come out and 'alter' the bowl's contents. In general, "cedar oil" is considered fairly safe in low concentrations, it is however used in various insect repellents, as additives to animal/hamster bedding, and in flea collars - not the kind of materials that I would think would add productively to a salad.
See the pdf at the following link for more information:
http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/3150fact.pdf
From a structural standpoint, juniper wood is fairly soft, and depending on how thin the wood is turned to, can be somewhat brittle. It also darkens excessively when oil finishes are applied. I personally would not consider making utility bowls from this wood, just based on these 'deficient' physical properties, let alone the possibility of serving food that might taste like "Pinesol salad".
BTW - I suppose 'aeromatic cedar' would be when a piece of juniper wood is chucked up in the lathe, spinning happily while doing a demo, and then launches into the air after you hit a bad knot. Ask the members of my turning club how I turned a piece of aeromatic cedar about 5 years ago!
Hope this helps...
Rob Wallace
Very good guys thanks for the words of wisdom.