Burn Your Own Pun-ny Cutting Boards

Posted by Nadine Williams

Keeping our farm going is hard work y'all... that's why I decided to do something nice for Jake to celebrate #NationalSpousesDay. He is getting his very own set cutting boards that I burned with dad jokes—he is sure to appreciate! Since he loves grilling (even in January), these will get a lot of action!

Honestly, with the right (relatively inexpensive) tools these boards are a snap! I tend to like throwback songs—I mean who doesn't?!? So my three puns are:

Chop it! Like it's Hot
Wish That I had Jessie's Grill
Don't go BACON my heart

THINGS THAT YOU WILL NEED:

FREE Template- Download and print here
Cutting boards (I sized the templates for our cutting boards, but you can easily print the templates at your own size)
Carbon Paper
Wood burning Tool
Mechanical Pencil
Tape
Meet Clean Wood Butter (optional)

*Some of the links provided are affiliate links.

STEP-BY-STEP PUN CUTTING BOARD DIRECTIONS:

Get your supplies ready, download and print template(s), and protect your work surface.
Fold your template to get an idea of where you would like to position your design. Then layer carbon paper under template and secure to board with tape.
Use mechanical pencil (without lead) to trace the design onto your board. (Try not to rest your hand on the board- you will inadvertently rub some unwanted ink onto the board.)
Remove template and use your wood burner to trace the designs and make them permanent. Be very careful- your wood burning tool will get VERY hot.
Wash and dry your board(s).
Step optional, but recommended: The wood burning process drys out the area where you are burning and also exposes fresh wood to the surface, it is a good idea to season your cutting board by moisturizing and protecting the surface. I used our Meet Clean Wood Butter product that is made with all organic ingredients and free from mineral oil.

TIPS FOR WOOD BURNING:

Use the right tips! The tool from Harbor Freight that I recommend above comes with a blunt tip and pointed tip that allowed me to follow these templates. (These are standard tips that most all tools should come with.)
Take it slow and repeat strokes. To get the "black/charred" look that I wanted, I had to burn over the same letter 2-3 times. Just be patient.
Take breaks! Your tool will get hot. It is a good idea to let your tool (and your hand) cool down every once and again.
The "Wish That I Had Jessie's Grill" template is the most difficult of the designs and takes the longest! I used the pointed tip to burn all of the lined letters, but it takes a steady hand. Go slow and I'm sure yours will turn about amazing!
Clean stubborn ink off cutting board with lemon, salt and a little elbow grease.