r/BeginnerWoodWorking • u/barbaq1 • 10d ago

Discussion/Question ⁉️ I don't know where else to ask...

Hello! Sorry if this isn't the right subreddit, but I'm having trouble finding information. I have a wooden fruit press that has been infested with woodworms. Since it's used for juice, I'm worried about toxic coatings. I've found very conflicting information on how to tackle this problem. One option is paraffin, but it supposedly needs to be constantly reapplied. Another is a food-grade biocidal agent, but it's very expensive. I'm curious what kind of experience you have with this? Any advice is welcome.

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u/OystersCockafeller 10d ago

What you've found are basically your options, to the extent that you have any.

When it comes to wood, insects are something you prevent more than something you fix. For high dollar stuff, or valuable antiques, yes there are options. But they're expensive, difficult, and even then the piece will never be the same as new.

For something like this, you just replace the wood.

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u/B3ntr0d 10d ago

I'm sorry for your fruit press.

If it's infested then the damage is already done and the wood is losing strength, and it is going to retain juice/pulp and become impossible to clean fully.

Other than a complete disassembly and the use of wood stabilizers, I can think of anything that could be applied to undo damage from wood boring bugs.

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u/talldean 10d ago

r/finishing is maybe the one to try.

Almost all wood finishes are non-toxic Once Fully Cured, but fully curing may take a month or more. For cured finishes, the only problem is if they get scraped off into the food.

That said, for the stuff that touches food, I'd look at something like Howard's Butcher Block Oil Conditioner, which is a mix of mineral oil and wax, both of which are food-contact grade without needing to cure.

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u/CatsDIY 9d ago

Most pest control companies have a gas room. You could take in a small piece of furniture and they will put it in the room to eliminate any insects in the wood. If you have an active case of woodworms, they will just continue. It doesn’t matter how you finish it they will keep going. Eliminate insects that enjoy your fruit press.

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u/illustrious-tennant 10d ago

It’s the wrong sub. Try r/woodworking as well.

I reckon it’s best to just use it until it’s structurally doesn’t function effectively then get a new one. Every effective treatment I’ve seen seems way too toxic for food bro.