You may have seen butcher's block before. These heavy durable cutting surfaces are fantastic because they are reasonably priced, long lasting and easy to find. It is simply how you want to incorporate them into your home that can be a problem.
Butcher block got its name from where it was first used. This material was a favorite of butchers who loved the fact that it could handle being hit with a heavy knife. As well, it was so thick that when it came time to resurface the block, it didn't matter how many times you did so since it never got any thinner. Butcher block was traditionally well over four inches thick, which made it extremely durable and long lasting.
Advantages to butcher's block include its versatility. You can get counter tops made of butcher block as well as individual cutting boards. There are two different types of butcher block including end grain, where the wood grain is perpendicular to the surface of the block, and edge grain, where the grain is parallel to the surface of the board.
How is the board formed? This can be an influence on how you will use the board in your home. If you will be doing a lot of prep work, consider an end grain block. Because the wood fibers in these boards are perpendicular to the surface of the block, they absorb the force of knife blows and will not dull the edge of the knife. They are also harder to mark on the surface. This can be great if you are someone who does not want to have to worry about resurfacing and conditioning your board any more than is necessary.
If you want to incorporate butchers block on a budget, consider edge grain blocks. These are less expensive than end grain but they are not as durable and may not be desirable to serious cooks. Consider trying a separate block first to see if you like how you care for your block.
Think about the use you will be putting your block through. If you love the look of natural wood and want a lot of work space where you can cut food, consider using butcher block as a counter top. If you love the look of stone but you want to have some ability to use butchers block, think about an island or a separate board. You can even build or buy portable stands which place the block at cutting height but are not a permanent part of your kitchen and can be moved around. When selecting any block, consider how the pieces have been stuck together and how they have been treated. Make sure it is with food safe oils.
Since you need to treat the block with oil to keep the wood supple and sand the board down when it becomes scratched and marred, you may want to make sure that you are incorporating butcher's block on a limited basis. It can be inconvenient if you are unable to use your counter tops because they are being resurfaced and oiled on a regular basis.
If you have decided to incorporate butcher's block into your home, you should think whether you want to use a separate cutting block. If you are resurfacing your cabinets, consider using butchers block for all or a part of your counter top. This way you have the richness and beauty of wood with the versatility of having a counter long cutting surface to prep food on. Whatever your choice, you should know that you can enjoy the beauty and durability of a butchers block for years to come. - 30241
Butcher block got its name from where it was first used. This material was a favorite of butchers who loved the fact that it could handle being hit with a heavy knife. As well, it was so thick that when it came time to resurface the block, it didn't matter how many times you did so since it never got any thinner. Butcher block was traditionally well over four inches thick, which made it extremely durable and long lasting.
Advantages to butcher's block include its versatility. You can get counter tops made of butcher block as well as individual cutting boards. There are two different types of butcher block including end grain, where the wood grain is perpendicular to the surface of the block, and edge grain, where the grain is parallel to the surface of the board.
How is the board formed? This can be an influence on how you will use the board in your home. If you will be doing a lot of prep work, consider an end grain block. Because the wood fibers in these boards are perpendicular to the surface of the block, they absorb the force of knife blows and will not dull the edge of the knife. They are also harder to mark on the surface. This can be great if you are someone who does not want to have to worry about resurfacing and conditioning your board any more than is necessary.
If you want to incorporate butchers block on a budget, consider edge grain blocks. These are less expensive than end grain but they are not as durable and may not be desirable to serious cooks. Consider trying a separate block first to see if you like how you care for your block.
Think about the use you will be putting your block through. If you love the look of natural wood and want a lot of work space where you can cut food, consider using butcher block as a counter top. If you love the look of stone but you want to have some ability to use butchers block, think about an island or a separate board. You can even build or buy portable stands which place the block at cutting height but are not a permanent part of your kitchen and can be moved around. When selecting any block, consider how the pieces have been stuck together and how they have been treated. Make sure it is with food safe oils.
Since you need to treat the block with oil to keep the wood supple and sand the board down when it becomes scratched and marred, you may want to make sure that you are incorporating butcher's block on a limited basis. It can be inconvenient if you are unable to use your counter tops because they are being resurfaced and oiled on a regular basis.
If you have decided to incorporate butcher's block into your home, you should think whether you want to use a separate cutting block. If you are resurfacing your cabinets, consider using butchers block for all or a part of your counter top. This way you have the richness and beauty of wood with the versatility of having a counter long cutting surface to prep food on. Whatever your choice, you should know that you can enjoy the beauty and durability of a butchers block for years to come. - 30241
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Some things to consider before buying butcher block furniture or cutting boards, is whether it is end grain or not. Generally, end grain butchers block is better for using with heavy knives, although it is more expensive it is far longer lasting.
