Posts Tagged ‘butchers block counter tops’
Butchers-Block Countertops For All Your Kitchen Cutting Needs
One of the most useful pieces of kitchenware that you can buy is a butchers block. You may want to choose a large butchers block that is like a piece of furniture or you may prefer a smaller one that is more like a thick chopping board.
Butchers block is made of maple. Maple is the perfect wood for a cutting board or a butchers block. The wood is not so hard as to dull knives, but is hard enough to resist nicks and cuts from them. In earlier times, an apprentice butcher would buy a block that would last for his entire working life.
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.
Butchers blocks should be sanitized regularly. A solution of one tablespoon of bleach in a gallon of water will provide all the sanitization that is needed. Always sanitize between meats and vegetables. Wipe the board dry after each use to prevent bacteria from being absorbed into the wood.
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.
Tags: butchers block, butchers block counter tops, chopping boards, cooking, cutting boards, home, kitchen
Butchers Block Is Both Strong And Attractive
Butchers block has been around for a long time in professional kitchens and is now becoming more commonly seen in the home. butcher block consists of several boards that are glued together side by side, providing a great cutting surface.
Made out of Maple these boards are durable and resistant and provide a superior surface for cutting. More modern materials such as polyurethane do not hold up to constant use the way butcher block boards and counters do.
While concrete building materials have been popular for years, granite and similar products can be expensive and you certainly would not want to cut on them directly, chances are you would place a butchers block chopping board on top of your concrete counter to prep a steak. Why not just have your counters be built out of butcher block.
This material holds up well and provides a very different look to your kitchen. butchers block is typically manufactured from Maple and its naturally attractive surface matches wood cabinets of any type of wood or color of stain nicely. Maple contrasts darker woods such as Cherry very nicely and also matches maple cabinets with a touch of style.
The nice thing about butchers block is that it not just holds up well but it looks good doing it. Butcher block goes well with cherry or any other wood and provides a nice simple touch to your kitchens decor.
End grain butchers block is a popular gift around the holidays. It is a great beginning project for a wood worker, due to its simplicity and its attractiveness. These gifts can be found at craft shows and gift boutiques around the holidays, but can also be a fun project if you are looking to give something that you made yourself.
More popular of the two is end grain butchers block. The basic difference is how the grain is laid when the wood is glued together. With end grain the grain is laid perpendicular to the surface and with edge grain the grain is laid parallel. While both projects are similar edge grain butcher blocks are easier to make, but are not as resistant to wear.
Butchers and chefs have used end grain chopping boards for years as their preference for cutting surfaces. butchers block is more durable than polyurethane and it is actually better for the knife. The knife will slide between the grains on and end grain butcher block cutting board and therefore will allow the knife to stay sharper longer.
End grain butchers block is preferred by butchers and serious cooks since the end grain fibers take the impact of the knife blade. The knife actually cuts between the fibers and not only prevents the wood from getting scored but it also keeps the knife sharp longer. Edge grain butchers block is made in a similar fashion to end grain butcher blocks but in this case the fiber is parallel to the surface. This style of butcher block is easier to make but they are limited on how many times they can be refinished.
No matter if you choose end grain or edge grain, or if you make your butchers block work surface or decide to purchase it at a craft festival you cannot go wrong with butcher block cutting boards as a great gift decision.
Butchers block furniture comes in many colors, depending on the type of wood used in the construction, and the oil used to stain the wood – if any.
A new look in your kitchen deserves to have a smart look. After all chances are your kitchen is used on a regular basis. Why not use smart building materials when renovating. Not only will butchers block countertops save you money they will also hold up to your daily activity.
Tags: butchers block, butchers block counter tops, chopping boards, cooking, cutting boards, home, kitchen
