Wooden Butcher Blocks

You can also periodically reapply the sealant to keep the wood protected. Forklifts are one of the most significant pieces of material handling equipment in most industries. Lifts come in various types and sizes for material handling operations from warehouses, ... Balers in the material handling industry are used to compress disposable waste products such as plastics, paper, cardboard, metals, and other materials. American Surplus Inc. works with a variety of prestigious companies. We’ve always built a trusted reputation for exceeding customers' material handling equipment and warehouse storage needs.
Always allow the finish to cure before you use the surface for cutting. People recommend using mineral oil over others because it lasts a long while. Choosing a finish for wood is commercial butcher blocks typically an easy task to accomplish. Most of the time, you only have to care about the protection it can offer. It's a different case when applying a finish to a kitchen surface.

What type of butcher block wood would be the best fit for your kitchen aesthetically? How do you want the wooden boards arranged on your countertop? Do you have to consider any particular maintenance requirements? Or, asSouthern Living recommends speculating, do you want to incorporate different countertop materials in different areas of your kitchen? For example, you can use butcher block on just your kitchen island and quartz everywhere else. If your heart is set on butcher block countertops, here are a few handy things to know before you make the purchase.
I use antimicrobrial plastic cutting boards — separate ones for different foods — and only use wood cutting boards to serve cheese. I wash my boards in hot soapy water, rinse well and dry, but also leave them out to air dry thoroughly. If you’re just starting to upgrade your cookware to include wooden butcher blocks and cutting boards, you might not be ready to step up to an expensive butcher block oil.. So, our Top  Pick from Thirteen Chefs is a great food-grade mineral oil that’s perfect for beginners. It’s a great choice for sealing, hydrating and protecting your wooden surfaces.
It’s an affordable way to add character to your home and it’s fairly easy to DIY. Another reason I think it is a good buy is that it is an upgrade without being a huge, $10,000 investment that you may not get back if you sell your house. I know in my neighborhood, if I installed $10,000 granite or marble countertops, the next buyer would be doing a victory dance at my expense. Using a black tile backsplash can be tricky, but the white cabinetry is a great neutral background with black hardware. The butcher block counters add color to the space and are perfect for separating the backsplash from the bottom cabinets. The black and hardwood cabinetry complement one another in this kitchen, even though they differ.

That being said, it’s still well-constructed and provides plenty of storage space via the slatted shelf below, the basket-style drawer, and utensil hooks on the sides. If you love the look of a butcher block island but don’t want to spend too much, this is an excellent compromise. We have for sale at UKAA a large selection of original antique reclaimed butchers blocks which are available to view at our reclamation yard in Staffordshire. Our original wooden chopping blocks and boards are ideal to use as kitchen central islands, kitchen counter tops or as butchers block tables. Where possible we keep the original bases with the blocks or we can make a bespoke handmade butchers block base to suit your requirements. It’s easy to assume that this is a traditional wood stain, but this Watco butcher block oil is a food-grade sealant and finish in one container.
But for the serious foodie or chef, these can make a great gift as well. You can further define the look of your space through your choice of wood grain, or the pattern visible on the surface of your butcher block countertop. The two primary types of grains are edge grain and end grain. The surface of edge-grain butcher block resembles a series of long, lean strips like the sides of a 2×4.

If you will be cleaving meat and using knives directly on the butcher block, the wood should be hard enough that it will withstand this use without becoming badly damaged. From butcher knives to meat band saws and everything in between; Butchers Equipment Warehouse is the one-stop shop for all your butchering needs. The mysterious natural antibiotic effect of wood on food contaminating bacteria seems to work with old wood as well as new, and with every species of wood tested so far.
Make sure to keep the block well-oiled, and it will serve as a loyal friend in your kitchen. As well as woods that are considered beneficial for a butcher block, there are those that should be avoided. Pine can impart a taste, which might be pleasant in some foods, but you won’t want every meal to taste of pine wood. Ash and red oak are open porous, which means that they can be difficult to keep clean and they will harbor moisture and bacteria.
It can often be helpful or simply interesting to learn more about what a particular material or surface was used for. As McClure Block explains, butcher block was originally a countertop used for meat processing. Because it jointed a variety of strong wooden pieces together, the block could withstand more wear and tear from knives than a simple slab of wood. The butcher block countertop industry began in the 1870s, with two Midwest companies producing most pieces.

To apply an oil finish, you need some lint-free rags and some nitrile gloves. Pour some oil on to the rag, or directly on the wood surface. This type of oil is often considered a ‘treatment’, and not a true ‘finish’.
This means it’s less likely to warp or crack in a moist environment. Your board will most likely warp/crack from the high heat and humidity. Wipe off excess butter, and buff the board surface with another clean, lint-free cloth.

End Grain blocks are really what is most commonly referred to as butcher block. They  feature many square pieces of wood arranged on end and glued together to give the distinctive checkerboard look found in tradition butcher’s blocks. These blocks are most commonly used as Island tops are as inset accents in another type of top rather than as a material for entire kitchen counter. We didn’t use any additional oil on our countertops, just light coats of the Watco butcher block finish, and letting it sit between coats.