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True butcher block, made from strips of wood bonded together, serves as a work surface. It is the only countertop material appropriate for slicing and chopping. Most wood countertops are made from maple, though oak, cherry, walnut and teak are also used.
What is so special about butcher block?
What gives a butcher block its unique appearance and strength is the positioning of end or edge grain on the surface. Butcher blocks provide durability and are easily resurfaced through sanding to maintain a smooth sanitary surface.
What kind of wood do you make a butcher block out of?
Butcher blocks are commonly used as chopping surfaces by butchers but have become popular for use in home kitchens as wood countertops, kitchen islands, and cutting boards. Butcher blocks are typically made from assorted pieces of hard maple, teak, birch, or walnut wood, giving the block a striped appearance.
Is butcher block real wood?
IKEA butcher block countertops come in a solid wood option, but the store also sells some with only a thin surface layer of wood over a particleboard structure.
Can I make my own butcher block?
You can make up your own butcher-block countertop, or the same technique can be used to create cutting boards, or a top for a roll-around cart. The steps in creating the top are fairly easy, but the project does require some special tools, especially for the larger size tops.
Does butcher block stain easily?
Con: Butcher-block is susceptible to scratches, dings, and stains. If you plan on chopping directly on your countertops, you’re going to end up marking things up a little (or a lot). That glass you dropped might just leave a dent, and the wine inside could settle into a stain. Pro: But they’re easily restored.
Is butcher block cheaper than granite?
Lastly, butcher block is an affordable material, generally costing less than granite. If you have a smaller budget, then butcher block is a beautiful option that doesn’t put strain on your bank account.
How do you make butcher block waterproof?
To seal butcher block with mineral oil, you simply apply the mineral oil generously, let it soak in, and wipe off the excess. You need to do it fairly regularly at first but then only about once a month after you’ve gotten through several applications.
Can you make a butcher block out of pine?
Hardwood Lumber Company specializes in manufacturing quality butcher block countertops and wood countertops. Knotty Pine butcher block countertops can be custom made to your specifications. We can make Knotty Pine Edge Grain Butcher Block Countertops up to 4-1/2″ thick, up to 84″ wide, and the length up to 162″.
How can I tell if my butcher block is real?
With bigger, heavier butcher blocks or cutting boards, it’s not so much an issue. Grain edge is the other tell-tale sign of the role of a butcher block. In our opinion, all butcher blocks should be made with end grain as opposed to edge grain.
What is the difference between butcher block and wood countertops?
Traditional wood surfaces often are reserved for lower-traffic applications, such as islands that double as eating areas. True butcher block, made from strips of wood bonded together, serves as a work surface. Most wood countertops are made from maple, though oak, cherry, walnut and teak are also used.
Are butcher block countertops sanitary?
Once sealed, wood countertops are sanitary for chopping meat, and hot pots and pans can easily be placed on the surface because wood countertops are heat-resistant. Treat wood countertops with mineral oil every month.
What’s end grain?
End grain is the grain of wood seen when it is cut across the growth rings. The end grain boards are made by cutting the pieces of lumber into blocks and gluing the blocks together with the end grain up, forming the top surface of the cutting board.
Can butcher block countertops get wet?
You can’t avoid getting your wood countertops wet when you’re preparing food. The finish we use on butcher block is food-safe. It’s not waterproof, but the type of moisture that touches butcher block shouldn’t damage the wood as long as you clean up immediately after preparing your meal.
Can you put hot pots on butcher block?
Placing hot pots and pans directly on the butcher block surface is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make. It is also one of the most problematic. The hot items can burn and even crack the wood, leaving permanent damage, in most cases.
Should I polyurethane butcher block countertops?
To answer the question in short, yes polyurethane is food safe for wood countertops. Per the FDA to become food safe it must be fully cured and dried to the touch which ranges in times. The time it takes to fully cure is anywhere from days to a month.
Can you put polyurethane on butcher block?
Follow these steps to easily waterproof your butcher block countertops with Polyurethane: Sand the counters until they’re completely clean. Apply a thick coat of Polyurethane, a liquid coating that dries into a plastic. film, on top of the stain.
