| Author |
Message |
    
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 101
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 12:03 pm: | 
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Does anyone have butcher block counters?
I would like to hear about your experience with them: cleaning, cleanliness, etc. Also, can you get darker colored block? I saw something that looked dark in Cottage Living Magazine (cover)
and was wondering what that could be...Thanks! |
botulismo
Citizen
Username: Botulismo
Post Number: 223
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 12:23 pm: |
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We have bought butcher block (maple) from IKEA twice and have had good experience. I believe they also have birch. Cleaning could not be easier. Seal with mineral oil. Darker stains can be removed by sanding if necessary. As for darker colors - two answers: choose a darker wood or get one that has been stained/dyed.
Almost all kitchen remodeling places can get what you want. Try also Jaegers on Rt. 22. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3885
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 1:00 pm: |
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We just bought rock maple butcher block from Jaeger Kitchens on Morris. Love them. You have to be prepared for them to get that "weathered" look (i.e., small knife marks, etc.) if you are using them for kitchen counters.
I agree with Botu about the cleaning and maintenance. We oil ours at least once a month or whenever it looks "dry". The mineral oil also appears to clean it at well. They will expand/contract with humidity, etc. and that is normal. The one thing that drives me nuts is that we have a bar sink & when water splashes onto it, I am obsessive about wiping it up. When we first installed one of the counters, a beverge cooler leaked a whole lotta water onto it over the course of several hours. By the time we noticed, it had warped & I thought I was gonna lose it. But, we oiled it right away & the wood settled back down after a couple days and you can't tell anything ever happened to it. |
mtierney
Citizen
Username: Mtierney
Post Number: 763
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 3:44 pm: |
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Have had butcher block countertops for 20 years! Love them. Sure, they "age" a bit, but that's what gives them that soft, lovely look. Recently saw butcher block counters in a magazine picture - first in a very long time - perhaps it is coming back? Sure beat that sterile stone look, IMHO. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3893
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 3:53 pm: |
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Coming back????? 
We wanted to be different...... 
We mixed marble, granite & BB. |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 437
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 5:22 pm: |
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I have mahogany countertops!
They are great. We treated them with a tung oil "stain" (it's totally safe, they use it on salad bowls). Now they are alot like the woodwork (or brightwork) on a wooden boat. Water just beads up and rolls off. They are very finely crafted, and yet there is the natural variations in the grain and little imperfections, so they hide all the abuse we throw at 'em.
We redid our kitchen 5 years ago and wanted it to resemble the original kitchen from the 20's...my 86 yr. old father-in-law didn't think we did a thing when it was done. He didn't notice the under cabinet lighting, "hidden" dishwasher, adjustable shelf cabinets and flush refrigerator! |
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 102
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 6:51 pm: |
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who did the mahogany???
that sounds cool!
what're your thoughts on e-coli and salmonella
living on the wood?
Thanks so much
|
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 511
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 14, 2005 - 8:05 pm: |
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I read someplace, a long time ago, that wooden countertops and cutting boards are naturally acidic and actually kill bacteria. That said, although I use a wooden cutting board, I have tile countertops. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3896
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 9:12 am: |
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Mel-
We use acrylic cutting boards for meat & poultry. As for things living on the wood, we have 3 cats. And even tho we all pretend that they are not allowed on the counters.....
So, all kinds of things walk around up there. I clean the counter top with a natural spray for wood (Method) between oilings, try to remember not to leave a sandwich sitting there without a plate too often & hope for the best.  |
botulismo
Citizen
Username: Botulismo
Post Number: 224
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 2:10 pm: |
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Most products labelled Tung Oil contain metallic driers which are not recommended for food use until fully cured unlike mineral oil which can be used wet. Check out the attached article. Fine Woodworking last year had a more expansive article.
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/features/finish3.html |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 439
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 10:18 am: |
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Melicious - We had them made. The cabinetmaker/carpenter fabricated them to our specs. Nothing fancy...a cove mould here, a trim piece there. It just took a litle planning around the sink etc.
Botulismo - We use an incredible product...Sutherland Welles something or another....it's available from Garret Wade. We apply a series of paper thin coats each New Year's day and let it all dry thoroughly. I love the look and I really don't prepare a whole lot of food right on the counter!
We do own at least 8 acylic cutting boards....since we typically cook Thai food we chop a lot of vegetables. I don't worry about botulism beacuse of all the cutting boards. Our counters are not "pristine" mahogany surfaces - they are also not intended to be chopping blocks. They are simply what they have been for the last 100 years...side boards (on top of which are the cupboards). |
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