Wooden Coffee Mug: 14 Steps Behind the Apple Log Cup 74 Million People Watched

A wooden coffee mug sounds like something out of a fairy tale, a cup turned from a tree that can actually hold your morning brew. Woodturner Matt Jordan heard that request from his viewers so often that he finally made one, starting with a small apple log packed with burl. The video of that build has now been watched 74,394,822 times, which places it near the very top of all woodworking videos on YouTube. There is something calming about watching a rough log spin into a smooth, glossy cup, and something even better about seeing it filled with steaming coffee at the end. Below, we walk through the steps he showed, explain why each one matters, and share a few easier wood projects you can try at home this fall..

Meet the Woodturner Behind the Wooden Coffee Mug

Matt Jordan runs a woodturning channel with about 1.28 million subscribers, and a drinkable mug was the project his viewers asked for most. He posted the build on March 24, 2020, and it has since collected more than 922,000 likes. You can watch the full wooden coffee mug video here. What makes it special is that nothing about it is a trick. It is a real mug with a real handle, made from a chunk of log most of us would toss on the firewood pile..

You will need: a wood lathe, turning gouges, a chuck, a face shield, a dust mask, sandpaper, a food safe finish and a small burl log. This is a project for experienced adult woodturners, not a beginner or kids build.

How to make it: 1. Pick a dry, crack free log section a little bigger than your finished mug. 2. Learn safe lathe basics on simple bowls first. 3. Sketch the mug shape and handle on paper before you cut anything.

Step 1: Choosing an Apple Log Full of Burl

The build starts with a small apple log covered in knobby burl. Apple wood is dense and smooth, which helps a thin walled cup stay strong, and the burl adds the wild pattern that makes viewers stop scrolling. Matt chose a section that would let the burl show right on the wooden coffee mug body. The log looks like nothing special at first, which is half the fun of the reveal. Have you ever spotted a lumpy growth like this on a tree in your yard?

You will need: a short apple or fruit wood log, a tape measure, a pencil, a saw used by an adult and work gloves.

How to make it: 1. Check the log for deep cracks or soft rot and skip any piece that is not solid. 2. Mark the best burl area so it ends up on the outside of the mug. 3. Trim the ends square so the log can be mounted safely on the lathe.

Why Burl Makes Such Wild Grain

A burl is a rounded growth on a tree where the grain grows in a tangled, irregular pattern instead of straight lines. Once it is cut and polished, those tangles show up as tiny eyes, ripples and swirls. That is why a wooden coffee mug made from burl never looks like any other mug in the world. Turners treat it with care, since the twisted grain can tear if tools are dull. Would you rather drink from a plain cup or a one of a kind swirl?

You will need: sharp tools, patience and a piece of burl from a trusted wood seller or a fallen tree you have permission to cut.

How to make it: 1. Look for burl at local sawmills, woodturning clubs or firewood sellers. 2. Seal the cut ends with wax so the wood dries slowly and cracks less. 3. Store it in a cool, dry spot until it is ready to turn.

Step 2: Rounding the Log on the Lathe

Once the log is mounted on the lathe, the first job is turning that lumpy shape into a smooth cylinder. This part is loud and messy, with chips flying everywhere, so a full face shield and a dust mask are a must. Turners take light cuts and keep the tool rest close to the wood. It is amazing how fast a rough chunk of firewood starts to look like a wooden coffee mug in the making. Do you find this part of turning videos as satisfying as we do?

You will need: a wood lathe, a roughing gouge, a face shield, a dust mask and hearing protection.

How to make it: 1. Mount the log securely and spin it by hand to check that it clears the tool rest. 2. Start at a slow speed and take light cuts off the high spots. 3. Stop often to check that the blank is round and free of loose bark.

Step 3: Shaping the Outside of the Wooden Coffee Mug

With a round blank ready, the outside of the mug gets its final shape. A gentle curve and a steady base make a big difference in how the cup feels in your hand. A small tenon is turned on the bottom so the piece can be held in a chuck for the next step. This is also when the burl really starts to show, with dark eyes appearing under the tool. Which shape do you love most for a coffee cup, tall and slim or short and round?

You will need: a bowl gouge, calipers, a pencil and your face shield.

How to make it: 1. Mark the top and bottom of the mug with a pencil while the lathe is stopped. 2. Shape a gentle curve with the gouge, working from the base toward the rim. 3. Turn a small tenon on the base so the mug can be held in a chuck.

Step 4: Hollowing Out the Wooden Coffee Mug

Hollowing is the trickiest part of the whole project. The inside needs to be deep enough to hold a real serving of coffee, but the walls must stay even so the cup does not crack later. Turners check wall thickness again and again with calipers as they go. The curls of shavings that pile up under the lathe are half the fun of watching. Could you resist checking those walls every few seconds?

You will need: a chuck, a hollowing tool or bowl gouge, calipers and a small flashlight to check the inside.

How to make it: 1. Drill a starter hole to the planned depth. 2. Hollow from the center outward in small passes. 3. Measure the walls often and keep them an even thickness from rim to base.

Step 5: A Burl Handle With a Pewter Center

The handle is what turns a wooden cup into a true mug. Matt made it from burl too and gave it a pewter center piece for a little shine. The handle is shaped to follow the curve of the cup, then fitted tightly to the body so it can carry the weight of a full drink. It is the detail viewers comment on most, and it makes the mug look like an heirloom. Would you add a metal accent or keep your handle all wood?

You will need: a burl offcut, carving tools or a rotary tool, a waterproof wood glue, clamps and adult supervision for every sharp tool.

How to make it: 1. Draw the handle shape on the offcut and rough it out. 2. Refine the curve with files and sandpaper until it feels good in your hand. 3. Shape both ends to match the mug and glue the handle in place with clamps until dry.

Step 6: Sanding Smooth Inside and Out

Sanding is where the beauty really shows. Working through finer and finer grits removes every tool mark and makes the burl glow. The inside of a wooden coffee mug matters just as much as the outside, since that is where your lips and your drink will touch. Turners often sand with the lathe spinning slowly, then finish by hand along the grain. How smooth do you think a cup needs to be before it feels just right?

You will need: sandpaper from 120 to 400 grit, a sanding block, a dust mask and a soft cloth.

How to make it: 1. Start with a coarse grit to remove tool marks. 2. Move up through each finer grit without skipping any. 3. Wipe away the dust and check the surface in bright light before finishing.

Step 7: Five Coats of Pure Tung Oil

To protect his wooden coffee mug, Matt finished it with five coats of pure tung oil. The oil soaks into the wood and hardens as it cures, which helps the surface stand up to warm drinks. Each coat goes on thin and the extra gets wiped away. If you try a cup of your own, read the label and choose a finish the maker says is food safe once fully cured. Are you a fan of a glossy look or a soft satin glow?

You will need: pure tung oil or another food safe finish, lint free cloths, a small brush and gloves.

How to make it: 1. Apply a thin coat with a cloth or brush. 2. Let it soak in, then wipe off the extra. 3. Let each coat dry fully before the next, and lay used oily rags flat outdoors to dry before you throw them away.

Step 8: Letting the Wooden Coffee Mug Cure for Four Weeks

Here is the part nobody likes: the waiting. According to the video description, the mug needed about four weeks to cure before it was ready for coffee. Curing lets the oil harden all the way through the surface. Rushing this step is the most common mistake people make with a wooden coffee mug, so set it on a shelf, admire it and plan your first cup. Could you wait a whole month to use your new mug?

You will need: a clean, dry shelf with good air flow and a calendar reminder.

How to make it: 1. Set the mug on a clean shelf with air around it. 2. Keep it away from dust and direct heat. 3. After about four weeks, check that the finish feels hard and has no smell before the first use.

The Payoff: A Wooden Coffee Mug That Holds Hot Coffee

The final scene is the one everyone waits for, when hot coffee is poured into the finished mug. The wood looks rich and warm, the handle sits comfortably in the hand and the burl swirls look almost like smoke. That simple moment helped carry the video past 74 million views. For another log that turned into something amazing, see this giant bear chainsaw carving. Would you drink from it or keep it on display?

You will need: your finished cup, your favorite coffee and a slow morning.

How to make it: 1. Rinse the mug with warm water before the first use. 2. Hand wash only and keep it out of the dishwasher and microwave. 3. Dry it right away and re oil the outside whenever it starts to look dull.

Try It: A Hand Carved Wooden Spoon

If a lathe is not in your future, spoon carving is a gentle way to enjoy the same wood magic at the kitchen table. A green branch, a straight carving knife and a hook knife are all you need to start, and the shavings are just as satisfying. Your first spoon will be a little lumpy, and that is part of the charm. Wear a cut resistant glove on your holding hand and always carve away from your body. Who would you carve your first spoon for?

You will need: a fresh birch, cherry or maple branch, a straight carving knife, a hook knife, a cut resistant glove, sandpaper and food safe oil.

How to make it: 1. Split the branch in half and draw a spoon outline on the flat side. 2. Carve the outside shape with the straight knife, then hollow the bowl with the hook knife. 3. Let it dry, sand it smooth and rub in a little oil.

Try It: Wood Slice Coasters

Wood slice coasters are the fastest way to bring that cozy, natural look to your coffee table. Thin slices from a log or a craft store pack get a light sanding and a protective coat, and they are ready in an afternoon. They make lovely gifts tied in a stack with twine, and they pair perfectly with a handmade mug. Add felt dots on the bottom so they do not scratch your furniture. How many would you make for your own table?

You will need: 4 to 6 wood slices about half an inch thick, sandpaper, a clear waterproof sealer, felt pads and twine.

How to make it: 1. Sand both sides of each slice until smooth. 2. Brush on two thin coats of sealer and let each one dry. 3. Stick felt pads on the bottom and tie a stack with twine for gifting.

Try It: A Rustic Mug Rack From a Branch

Every handmade mug deserves a place to hang. A sturdy branch mounted on the wall with a few wooden pegs makes a rustic rack that shows off your collection and frees up cabinet space. Pick a dry branch with interesting bark and give it a good brushing to remove dirt. It is a simple weekend project that makes any coffee corner feel special. Which mug would get the place of honor on your rack?

You will need: a dry branch about 2 feet long, 5 wooden pegs or hooks, a drill used by an adult, wall anchors, screws and a stiff brush.

How to make it: 1. Brush the branch clean and let it dry completely. 2. Drill evenly spaced holes and glue in the pegs, or screw in hooks. 3. Mount it to the wall with anchors or into studs and hang your mugs.