How to seal a grazing trolley benchtop?

[Sim-one]

I’m making a grazing trolley. The top is made from cypress floor boards with stainless trays cut into it. Any suggestions on appropriate sealant I should use. It has to seal surface & be food  safe. I will be using cutting boards on top. No direct cutting on surface 

[EricL]

Hello @Sim-one 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It’s fantastic to have you here and thank you for sharing your question about selecting a food-safe finish for your benchtop.

If your benchtop is untreated and has no existing coating, I recommend considering Gilly’s Chopping Board Oil (250ml), Gilly’s Food Safe Wax (200ml), or Cabot’s Satin Clear Benchtop Timber Finish (1L). Both the oil and wax provide a natural, food-safe finish but will require periodic reapplication as they wear away with use and washing. These options are ideal for maintaining the wood’s natural appearance while ensuring it remains safe for food contact.
 

Cabot’s Benchtop Timber Finish, on the other hand, is a varnish-style sealer that forms a durable, clear protective layer once fully cured. While it is food-safe after curing, I wouldn’t recommend using it on a platter intended for cutting, as knife marks could compromise the seal and expose the raw timber beneath.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric