wooden bowl for kimchi? (and food processor)

[Guest guest]

I'd like advice/thoughts on purchasing a large wooden bowl for kimchi

making (wilting the cabbage and then mixing ingredients). I've got

some Christmas money and I like to use it each year to purchase nice

things for the kitchen. Right now I've been using a stainless steel

bowl which is getting pock marks from the salt. I know plastic is an

option -- I don't like plastic and I like the idea of having

something beautiful and special.

Is there any reason not to use a wooden bowl for this purpose? I

looked online and found that some bowls are protected with mineral

oil, some w/vegetable oil(soybean -- agh!), & one company uses a

combination of mineral oil and beeswax. The websites say mineral oil

is fine. I tend to doubt that, but don't know for certain. Can

anyone tell me? Can I buy a bowl w/an unacceptable oil, but wash it

off w/soap and water at home? What's the best oil to use at home

when the bowl needs to be re-oiled?

Also, does anyone have a favorite food processor? I think this has

been discussed in the past, so i'll check the archives, but if anyone

absolutely loves or hates theirs, feel free to let me know.

TIA!