Am re-doing kitchen countertops and love the look of sealed butcherblock (sealed with layers of polyurethane). I’m very good about using cutting boards, so I’m not too worried about scratches.
Our gc and architect are advising against it, but I really love the look and the price.
Has anyone had good or bad experiences with this?
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Replies
Why are your GC and architech against it? In the house I am currently working in, they have a very large island with 20 year old butcher block on it. I think it looks good.
Coming to you from beautiful Richmond, Va.
Joey, is your butcher block polyurethane finished? My in-laws have a house that was remodeled by the previous owner with a lot of poly on wood in the kitchen and one bath. Water marks have been a problem, as has water that gets under the poly through cracks.
The best butcher blocks I've ever seen have been used for years and regularly washed and scraped, with periodic light oil rubs. I have an unfinished wood table that has been my baking surface for over ten years now. Mostly I knead bread on it, but I also use it for rolling our pastries and cookies. To clean it I wipe away crumbs, wipe with a wet sponge, scrape with a baker's counter tool, then wipe again with a clean sponge and dry with a towel. The table has a surface like satin. Well, stained satin--it is a family kitchen table after all-- but smooth and clean. My mother treated her unfinished butcherblock counter the same way with good results.
If Boston puts this question to the folks in Cooks Talk, I'm sure they will have some good ideas about wood surfaces in the kitchen.
No Tish, the butcher block has no poly, just mineral oil. I like 'em probably cause I am so tired of seeing granite. Soapstone is also a beautiful option.Coming to you from beautiful Richmond, Va.
If you want butcherblock, dont seal it with poly. Sand and seal with food grade mineral oil. I don't think that poly is food safe, is it?
Do the butcher block if you are planning to live in the hosue for a while, not if you are planning to sell within 5 years. It wont help the sale.
I've done a few that way. if it's the look you like, that's what you should have. some very high end clients like it that way.
Another option for you though is to use Behlen's Salad Bowl Finish. It is easy to apply in a rubbing oil fashion and it is repairable like the mineral oils that are usually used with just another few swipes. It produces a sheen similar to poly with enough coats. It is a food safe product. I used it on John Travota's kitchen countertop and he loved it.
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What is Behens Salad Bowl Finish ???
I think I spelled it wrong. ( sheepish grin and sorry!)
Behlen isth name brand. I get it from Woodworker's Supply
800-645-9292 or Woodworker.com
But I just looked at the most recent catalouge and they have changed the name to Clapham's Salad Bowl Finish.
They also have another safe product called Preserve rubbing oil and Preserve woodworker's cream ( which is the nut oil with wax added to rubb in luster)
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Polyurethane will chip. I have a maple butcher-block counter and I think its great. The wood stains so you have to get used to that. I oil my counter periodically with walnut oil. I've tried everything else, and I think walnut oil (available at my healthfood store) is best. Mineral oil is too heavy.