what should I clean wood furniture with first?

I recommend Howard Orange Oil. It cleans wood items fantastically well, and I prefer it to Murphy's Oil Soap. I have all three products and the Orange Oil cleans and shines so well that I don't bother with the Feed N Wax most times. If I could only have one product to use with wood furniture and antiques I would choose the Orange Oil, but both it and the Feed N Wax are excellent products. I completely rejuvenated a depression era walnut buffet server, an old floor standing radio and a dried out and filthy butcher block style maple work bench with Orange Oil. It cleans better than Murphy's Oil Soap (or any other product I have ever used) and is absorbed by dry wood better than the Feed N Wax. It works wonders on old tool handles as well, such has hammers, axes, and shovels. And as a bonus, it cleans rust off the tools really well too.

Is this supposed to be a thick wax or a liquid product? Mine arrived and I'm wondering if it got frozen. It's thick.

The thickness depends on temperature. It contains carnauba wax which is a very hard wax and provides a more durable finish, however carnauba needs to be blended with softer waxes for application. This product is flammable so be very careful about heating it up, however, if you want to convert it to a more liquid form, you can put the Howard's bottle in a larger jug of some sort and fill the jug with hot water. The Howard's will gradually turn clear and become a very fluid liquid which may ease your application and/or allow for greater absorption.

Will this get rid of beverage rings on an oak table?

Restor-a-finish, light sand with 0000 steel wool wipe and wipe on and done. Made just for beverage rings.

Can this product be safely applied to a wooden bowl that will be eaten out of? Once the bowl is polished and dry, will it be safe to eat out of?

No! Absolutely not. However, do not fret because Howard's makes a phenomenal product just for the purpose you're inquiring about. It is 100% food-grade, non-toxic and won't become rancid or foul the way countless other oils will. I personally use the two part system that provides a FANTASTIC DETERGENT-FREE cleaner that is followed by the amazing wood conditioner.....here is the item: B07H2NT5XH Btw, you can get them separately, this just happens to be an amazing deal AND it is precisely what you need! I can attest to the awesomeness of their entire line of products, but I swear by the butcher block conditioner as it has been beyond my wildest dreams for protecting a handmade butcher block that is a Texas flag, where walnut is used for the vertical blue, maple for the star and horizontal white and red oak for the horizontal red portions of the flag. Lemme tell ya, it is GORGEOUS and it was beautiful to start with, but after 4 separate applications (one per week for a month just for extra good measure) that cutting board is so vibrant, smooth, eye-catching and has the most exquisite shine that I simply can't bear the thought of scoring the surface with knives now! I do recommend that you heat a large Pyrex or similar measuring cup full of water in the microwave....DO NOT BOIL, AS THAT MUCH HEAT WILL DEFORM THE BOTTLE BADLY....just about 150-170°F is plenty. Pop the top of the dispenser-cap just slightly to vent the pressure that will build up and set the bottle of conditioner in the hot water bath until it goes from a milky, opaque appearance to nearly transparent and more oily appearance. Only takes a few minutes, but then dispense onto your WELL CLEANED salad bowls, utensils, cutting board, etc., using a microfiber or other lint free, super soft rag, being certain to rub WITH THE GRAIN for best penetration! You may see folks applying in circular motion, but just as with sanding wood, this is best for applying oils, conditioners, stains & sealers!

Manufacturer	Howard Products
Part Number	FW0016
Item Weight	15.5 ounces
Product Dimensions	2.5 x 2.5 x 8.5 inches
Country of Origin	USA
Item model number	FW0016
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	No
Size	16 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Color	Orange
Style	Polish & Conditioner
Material	Wood
Volume	16 Fluid Ounces
Item Package Quantity	1
Measurement System	Metric
Special Features	Maintains restored finishes
Usage	Inside; Amateur
Batteries Included?	No
Batteries Required?	No
Warranty Description	Warranty

Howard Products Beeswax Wood Polish & Conditioner, Feed-N-Wax, Beeswax Furniture Polish For Wood, 16 Oz, Orange

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