Butcher block countertops have been around since 1881 and are a natural, renewable countertop that is both beautiful and extremely sanitary. In general Butcher block countertops are constructed from a hardwood such as maple, cherry, walnut, red Oak , lyptus and can even be made of bamboo. Having a countertop that is made completely of all natural materials means that there will be no two countertops exactly the same. Just like a fingerprint, your butcher block counter top will be unique and one-of-a-kind. Butcher block is not only used for kitchen countertops, it is also used for workbenches, kitchen islands, kitchen tables, cutting boards and unique butcher block furniture.
Not only are butcher block tops affordable and stylish, but is also one of the most sanitary kitchen countertops you can have installed in your home. Butcher block can be custom ordered to fit your kitchen countertops and can be installed professionally by a contractor or installed by the average do-it-yourselfer. If you want to build your own countertops from the ground up, you can order butcher block plans and get instructions to build them completely yourself.As with most countertops such as granite, Corian, Formica and laminate countertops, butcher block countertops also allow you many of the same options for style and design. You can choose various thicknesses, edge grain and end grain along with many different edge details such as square edge, round over, ogee, cove, classical and double ogee.
Depending on the wood that you choose for your butcher block kitchen countertops, the color range can vary quite a bit. From yellows and reds to light brown and chocolate brown to just about any color in between. If you’re having trouble deciding what would grain, color, or edging you should select for your countertops in your home you can also order a butcher block hardwood sample kit that will supply you with all the different varieties of butcher block that you can have installed in your home. This will give you an opportunity to see firsthand the look and feel of the different hardwoods that can be used and whether or not they will complement your kitchen cabinets, your flooring and other kitchen decor.
As with any remodeling project you may undergo for your home, it is important that you take the time to research the materials being used along with any maintenance and care that may be needed to protect and sanitize your butcher block counter top. With butcher block, there is routine maintenance that must be done in order to ensure the longevity of your countertops. There are conditioners and oils that must be applied regularly and because butcher block is made of natural wood, it has a tendency to absorb the smells of foods that were prepared on them more readily than a granite or laminate countertop would.
When cleaning and maintaining your butcher block countertops it is important to clean up all spills immediately to avoid stains and any other damage to your counter tops. Light scratches, dents and dings can easily be sanded out of the butcher block boards using a high grit sandpaper and a little elbow grease. Recondition and oil your boards and your butcher block countertops look as good as new. Butcher block does not hold up as well in ordinary kitchen conditions as some countertops will. It is important that you do not set hot pots and pans directly on to the butcher block, instead make sure to use a pad to protect your butcher of a from the heat. Cleaning is easy and should be done using a sponge with warm soapy water, followed by a quick drying using paper towels.
The use of wood in the kitchen brings warmth and comfort that other material can only try to replicate. A nice way to achieve this is to opt for butcher block countertops. Many people who have done this are extremely pleased with the outcome, but these types of countertops have to be maintained regularly to keep up their appearance. Another way to get the feel and look of wood in the kitchen, but having less time spent in maintenance, is to purchase or build a butcher block island.
Butcher block kitchen islands are a popular choice because they cut down on the cost of doing the whole kitchen in butcher block, but also because of their practicality in cooking preparation. There are different types of styles a person can purchase depending on the money they want to spend, the style they like, and the amount of space they have to devote to a butcher block kitchen island. One of the more expensive and attractive ways to set up an island is using a butcher block table island. These types of islands have the homey appearance of a table, but the top is made out of a durable butcher block in any choice of wood. They can be wide or somewhat narrow and have drawers, baskets, or even shelves for extra storage. People can even design and build their own kitchen island with butcher block top by building a new or recycling an old table bottom and placing a butcher block on top.
Butcher block table islands can come in any of the woods used in butcher block kitchen countertops, such as, maple, walnut, oak, and even cherry. Maple and oak are the most popular choices out of the different woods available, but if someone wants something out of the ordinary, a dark walnut, cherry, or even a butcher block that uses a combination of woods may be worth the time and money to look into. Whatever the choice in wood, a person still can further personalize their block by their choice of legs A person’s butcher block table’s legs can be made of metal or wood, be cut straight down, be curved, or even have the traditional look of most table legs. If a person chooses the legs made of wood, the legs can be left the natural wood color or even be stained or painted a different color to add a little drama to the kitchen.
Another way to set up a butcher block kitchen island is to use the cabinets in an existing island or purchase new cabinets and place a butch block on top to form the counter. This way a person still has the storage of a regular kitchen cabinet island, but also has the practicality and appearance of a butcher block top. If a person is short on space, they can consider using a butcher block kitchen cart. These types of butcher blocks can be rolled out of the way like a cart or stand stationary, depending on a person’s needs.
Before using a new butcher block, a person needs to prepare or “season” it to prevent staining and absorption of bacteria and food odors. Subsequently, a person needs to regularly treat the wood with a cutting board oil to fill the wood’s pores, repel food particles, oil, and other liquids, and guard against germs and mold. What cutting board oil should a person then use to give their countertops or cutting boards the best protection? Well, a person never should use any cooking oil, such as, vegetable or canola oil to treat or finish a cutting surface. This will cause the wood to smell horrible when the oil spoils and turns rancid. But a person does have a number of different types of oil that can be used as cutting board oil. Some of these are mineral oil, beeswax, and coconut oil.
Mineral oil is a popular choice made by many because the oil is one of the cheapest food-grade oils on the market. Mineral oil remains safe throughout its lifetime and there is an array of different oils available for butcher blocks. To apply the mineral cutting board oil, wipe it on the top of the board and allow it to be absorbed by the wood. Do as many applications of the oil as the wood will absorb. When the cutting board oil will no longer absorb any more oil, wipe away the excess oil with a clean, dry cloth.
Beeswax can be added to mineral oil to give it a more durable finish. It helps keep the wood water resistant which helps the wood to remain its appearance longer, give the block a good smooth finish, and give it a pleasing fragrance. To make your own cutting board oil with beeswax, add about a half of a teaspoon of beeswax to every cup of mineral oil in a microwave safe dish. Then place it in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds. Stir. After that, apply it to the cutting board or butcher block while the cutting board oil is still warm. Another, option is to simply apply the beeswax to the top of the board, after it has been oiled with the cutting board oil, using a clean cloth. Instead of soaking into the wood, the beeswax top coat sits on the board. It helps to keep out moisture, bacteria, and other contaminants. Once the top coat of beeswax has had time to dry it can be buffed to give the cutting board an attractive shine. This may seem like a lot of work but it is well worth it, especially on your butcher block countertops.
Some people also use food grade coconut oil or butter as cutting board oil. This oil is highly stable and resistant to rancidity because of its high proportion of saturated fats. This is also applied to a cutting board by rubbing it in repeatedly and wiping away the excess with a clean cloth.
Most people prefer to apply cutting board oils to their cutting boards, butcher block kitchen islands or counter tops monthly or about every six weeks.
Butcher block cutting boards and countertops have been prized by professional chefs and home cooks for centuries. The beauty, durability, practicality of butcher blocks cannot be beat by most other countertop materials. There are many different types of woods that can be used as a kitchen cutting board, but whatever wood a person chooses, one thing is certain, it better be a hardwood. If it isn’t hard enough the board could be cut too deeply, scratch more easily and fall apart quickly. Most of the woods used for a wood cutting board are maple, walnut, oak, birch, and cherry. These woods are well known for their durability and hardness. Maple cutting boards are by far the most popular and favorite choice of many people.
Maple cutting boards are known for their exceptional beauty and practicality. Maple is a hard, dense, fine-grained wood, and also relatively inexpensive. All these are great qualities to find in a kitchen cutting board. When shopping for maple to build a kitchen cutting board, a buyer wants to be aware that there is both hard and soft maple wood. This is not a big setback, as both are common, but if a person is not very knowledgeable about different types of woods, it would be wise to ask a professional to assist them in choosing which board to purchase. Maple is also known to naturally resist mold and bacteria.
Bamboo butcher blocks are a type of kitchen cutting board that is relatively new to the market. Some people claim it is the best cutting surface and because bamboo grows so rapidly, using it is environmentally friendly. Others claim that it has a short lifespan compared to other kitchen cutting boards because it absorbs so much moisture and then releases it as it dries, causing the board to swell and shrink. This is bad for any type of kitchen cutting board because it causes the glue in the joints wear out faster, which causes the board to fall apart. Bamboo butcher blocks also have not been approved by the NSF and makes people wonder about the safety of these boards.
Walnut butcher blocks are somewhat more expensive than other kitchen cutting boards, but their beauty is also superb. They have a dark, rich coloring and even if a person is just using it on an island, free standing block, or as a countertop cutting board, it can only attribute to the warmth in a kitchen. Some kitchen cutting board manufacturers allow people to design their own boards and when walnut is paired with a lighter wood such as maple it makes a beautiful statement. Some basic choices people make are to have walnut and maple laid out in stripes, or to have an initial placed in the wood. Either way the affect is great!
When a person builds their own board or buys a board from a manufacturer, they need to consider what type of cut they want. By turning the board different ways, it changes the final outcome of the kitchen cutting boards’ appearance and durability. End grain kitchen cutting boards are one of the more durable ways to put a board together. If a person imagines they are looking down at a tree stump, they will be looking at the end grain. The reason people chop wood on tree stumps is that they are durable. This way of making a butcher block also carries that durability. But, when buying an end grain board a person should buy a board at least two and a half inches thick. It might seem bulky to some, but it will help the board last much longer.
After a person decides on the wood, they need to choose whether they want the board for a top of the counter cutting board or an island cutting board. If a person chooses a smaller wood cutting board to use on top of the countertop, they need to make sure the board dries on both sides after washing to prevent warping or cracking. There are two types of island options for wood cutting boards. One is two have a solid piece of wood that reaches the floor and the other is to have a board that has legs. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. A solid wood cutting board with no legs can be turned over and used on both sides. The board with legs cannot be used on both sides, but it also is more resistant to mold and bacteria and also warping and cracking because it has airflow on top of the board as well as under the board.
With any wood cutting board a person should maintain the board with cutting board oil and buffing to help maintain the appearance and longevity. Doing this keeps the board water resistant and also fills in any knife marks or other scratches.
