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Butcher Block Countertops
If you are looking for a warm, natural look
in your kitchen, nothing beats butcher block
countertops. A favorite of serious cooks,
butcher block is made by gluing 1 1/2 or
2 inch strips of hard maple together with
the wood’s edge grain up. This makes the
countertop more warp and wear resistant;
it also makes it more water repellent. Butcher
block is available in lengths up to 12 feet
long and 4 feet wide, but longer pieces can
be specially ordered. Its chief advantage
is that it is very practical; it is easy
to install, and the cook can cut and chop
right on its surface. Scratches, cut marks
and scorching simply add to the patina, or
they can be periodically sanded or scraped
out.
Consider the following if you
would like
to install butcher block countertops:
- It is not advisable to use butcher block
around the sink, where water can eventually
warp and discolor the area. If you want to
use it there, you should carefully seal it.
Two or three coats of high quality urethane
can be applied, but you cannot cut directly
on a urethaned counter.
- Manufacturers usually seal butcher block
with oil to prevent it from absorbing moisture
and cracking. Repeated cleaning with soap
and water will gradually wear away the oil,
so it needs to be occasionally re oiled with
tung, vegetable, or mineral oil. Stains can
be removed by using lemon juice or diluted
chorine bleach.
- Butcher block countertops are heavy. Make
sure that the cabinets you
are installing
can hold their weight. The
countertops are
usually installed by gluing
them to the tops
of the cabinets with silicone
or epoxy or
by screwing them in from the
underside.
If you like the look of butcher block, but
do not want to deal with water problems around
the sink, consider installing it in only
part of your kitchen. |
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