If you want a piece of kitchenware that will protect both your countertops and your knives, consider investing in a butchers block. You will find large stationary butchers blocks as well as thick chopping boards that are glued in a butchers block pattern.
The best butchers blocks chopping boards are made of white maple. White maple is a closed grain wood that prevents absorption of any liquids that are left on the block’s surface. Oak is an open grained wood and will absorb these liquids. White maple is not going to dull your knives and will resist nicks and cuts from them.
Maple helps to keep butchers blocks resilient to bacteria. Juices from meats or other items that are cut on the board are unable to penetrate the closed grain wood. You still should keep your block wiped clean after each use.
Butchers block cutting boards that have a urethane or varnish finish are only for decorative purposes. They will not stand up to cutting purposes. Instead, you want a butchers block that has been treated with mineral oil. Never use vegetable based oils to treat a butchers block.
Always sanitize your butchers block when you change from cutting meats to vegetables. This will prevent cross contamination. A dilute bleach solution (one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water) works well to sanitize the board. In addition, clean the block each time it is used immediately. This will prevent the wood from absorbing any of the juices of what you are cutting.
If your butchers block has started to show signs of wear, it can be resurfaced by sanding. Start with a course grit sandpaper to remove any deep cuts or gouges, and work your way to fine grit sandpaper that will restore the smoothness of to the surface of the butchers block. Wipe away any dust and re-oil the surface.
The recent proliferation of high quality butchers block boards and proven sanitary benefits are encouraging people to buy butchers block for use in home kitchens. Artisan made Maple blocks, which make the best butcher block counter tops and cutting boards are preferred.
Filed under Blog by on Mar 22nd, 2010. 
Butchers Block Kitchen Countertops
The first job, when laying out a new kitchen or refitting an old one, is to determine the positioning of the counter tops, based on available space and required appliances. Next job is choosing the material. Butchers block has become increasingly popular as a kitchen counter-top thanks to it’s natural beauty and practicality. There are a number of manufacturers to choose from, using a number of different techniques to build the blocks. Other variables include woods used and finishes. This is a review pf the best makers on the market, in no particular order.
Michigan Maple Block Co and Bally Block Co have been making butchers block since 1881. World renowned, their products are literally used all over the world. They make a range of products in sizes to order from Maple, Ash, Red Oak, Lyptus, Black Walnut, Black Cherry, and Teak. The company uses old fashioned machinery going make to 1905 to produce a distinctive and unique “double dovetail,” joint. Their products are highly recommended and a built to outlast the owner.
Their technique involves “wood welding,” which involves gluing at high pressure. They produce numerous sizes which they hold in stock ranging from 25-36 inches deep, and from 12-144 inches long. They will also make to order in unusual sizes. There standard finish is “edge grain,” and the tops are 1 1/2 inches thick. Each top is unique, and they can be finished to your specifications, including Durakryl 102, which is a food safe finish. Although you can cut directly on this, it is highly recommended to purchase a smaller cutting board for the task.
John Boos is another well-established name in the kitchen countertop world. They offer a spectacular 3″ thick butcher block counter top, which is available in 27″, 30″, 36″, 38″, 42″ and 48″ depths and up to 145″ long. These are once again edge grain , and can be ordered with s standard (non-food safe) oil finish, or a varnish that will repel most house hold solvents and detergents. As with the previous maker, it is recommended not to use these as a cutting board, and buy a smaller board for the task. But the John Boos American butchers block counter top
They also keep a large range of cutting boards, wood care products and oils; and cutting implements of the highest standard. Which ever maker you choose, be sure to read the care instructions carefully and if you are cutting directly on teh surface, ensure the finish is food safe. Given proper care, a butchers block kitchen countertop will last a lifetime – or more.
Filed under butchers block furniture by on Sep 4th, 2009.