Butcher block countertops

vikinganna87

We need to build our kitchen and are thinking about butcher block countertops.  If we do this, we'll likely have white cabinets and white tile between the cabinets and counter.  Stove, oven and fridge are stainless steel, dishwasher will be too.

Granite seems popular, so I don't have much experience with butcher block countertops.  Anyone have opinions or advice on this or suggestions for combinations with certain types of cabinets?  From an aesthetic or utilitarian perspective. 

AprilH81

The look will work but I would worry about the upkeep for butcher block.  Do you need to seal them?  How do you sanitize them?  How visible will cuts/nicks be?

JennyColada

We have a Boos block large butcher block cutting board, and we have a stand-alone center island also made by Boos.

Personally, I don't think that I'd want all of my counter space to be wood. It just seems too hard to clean and keep nice and un-stained. What if it cracks or warps? I dunno. It just seems like too much of a hassle.

huskypuppy14

We have one counter that is butcher block, but we still use a cutting board, we never cut directly on it. You can buy butcher block cleaner.

Our cabinets are white and the other counters are blue corian maybe. Not sure, but it's not granite. The backsplash is blue and white, and the appliances are stainless.

ashley8918

huskypuppy14 said:

We have one counter that is butcher block, but we still use a cutting board, we never cut directly on it. You can buy butcher block cleaner.

Our cabinets are white and the other counters are blue corian maybe. Not sure, but it's not granite. The backsplash is blue and white, and the appliances are stainless.

Same, except all of our counter tops are butcher block. I dont like them, but only becasue the look is not my style. They look fine, and I have had no issues with "upkeep" (and we dont do any, at all)

southernbelle0915

I'm not a fan. They look great at first but end up looking cut up, dull, and I can't see how they're totally sanitary.

julieanne912

I agree that doing all of your counters in butcher block may not be the way to go, simply because of the upkeep.  Either just having a separate large cutting board (I know I love my giant Walnut BoosBlock), or an island in butcher block is nice.  I know I wouldn't want butcher block anywhere near my sink. 

I have quartz countertops and I love them, and they come in a huge variety of styles, colors, patterns, etc. 

vikinganna87

@AprilH81 Thanks for the photos! Yes, we would seal them.  And evidently they need to be re-sealed with mineral oil every 6 months.  As for cleaning, evidently bacteria travels deep into the wood (far below the surface) and is killed by the wood's natural properties.  So soap and water for the surface should be okay.  

@jennycolada Cracking and warping will need to be considered.  If we do visible damage to the surface it can be sanded and re-sealed, so I guess we need to start off with a relatively thick block! 

It does sound kind of high maintenance.  Most of the stuff you do in the kitchen is out of habit, so, since my habits have been formed using granite countertops I'd have to re-train myself to be more careful with the surface.... 

ashley8918

vikinganna87 said:

@AprilH81 Thanks for the photos! Yes, we would seal them.  And evidently they need to be re-sealed with mineral oil every 6 months.  As for cleaning, evidently bacteria travels deep into the wood (far below the surface) and is killed by the wood's natural properties.  So soap and water for the surface should be okay.  

@jennycolada Cracking and warping will need to be considered.  If we do visible damage to the surface it can be sanded and re-sealed, so I guess we need to start off with a relatively thick block! 

It does sound kind of high maintenance.  Most of the stuff you do in the kitchen is out of habit, so, since my habits have been formed using granite countertops I'd have to re-train myself to be more careful with the surface.... 

We have never once resealed our counter tops, nor have we had any cracking or warping. We have lived in the house for 8 years and they were not brand new H bought the house.

vikinganna87

Thanks, @Ashley8918 !

hellosweetie1015

I LOOOOOOOOVE the look of butcher block countertops. Like. I would have them in my entire kitchen if FI would let me. Butcher block and a farmhouse sink, with antiqued cabinetry - it is my dream kitchen. 

Unfortunately... FI likes stainless. Which... doesn't go with farmhouse style. 

We may compromise and get him a stainless island. 

ETA and yes, I would baby the shit out of my butcher block counters.

jenna8984

I would worry too much about staining. I have personally never had these counters so I may very well just be imagining things, but I picture something like kool-aid staining the shit out of it. @ashley8918 has that happened with you/ your kids leaving a ring or anything?

ashley8918

jenna8984 said:

I would worry too much about staining. I have personally never had these counters so I may very well just be imagining things, but I picture something like kool-aid staining the shit out of it. @ashley8918 has that happened with you/ your kids leaving a ring or anything?

Nope, nothing I couldn't easily wipe off, even if I didn't notice it for a while. And my kids are FILTHY lol

hellosweetie1015

ashley8918 said:

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jenna8984 said:

I would worry too much about staining. I have personally never had these counters so I may very well just be imagining things, but I picture something like kool-aid staining the shit out of it. @ashley8918 has that happened with you/ your kids leaving a ring or anything?

Nope, nothing I couldn't easily wipe off, even if I didn't notice it for a while. And my kids are FILTHY lol

I will say that we had an unsealed butcher block on our island in the old house. It had red koolaid stains on it, but it was essentially koolaid mix, sugar, and 1-2 cups hot water to dissolve. And if something greasy got set on it (cheap-ass pizzas in cheap-ass pizza boxes, for instance) it'd get a greasy splotch for a while.

Of course, this was an unsealed piece of crap butcher block. Nicer pieces that have been properly sealed likely wouldn't have that problem.

hellosweetie1015

AAAAAAND now I'm browsing butcher block kitchens. And pinning them. 

Lord help FI. He is going to be in such trouble if/when we buy a house.

ashley8918

hellosweetie1015 said:

show previous quotes

ashley8918 said:

jenna8984 said:

I would worry too much about staining. I have personally never had these counters so I may very well just be imagining things, but I picture something like kool-aid staining the shit out of it. @ashley8918 has that happened with you/ your kids leaving a ring or anything?

Nope, nothing I couldn't easily wipe off, even if I didn't notice it for a while. And my kids are FILTHY lol

I will say that we had an unsealed butcher block on our island in the old house. It had red koolaid stains on it, but it was essentially koolaid mix, sugar, and 1-2 cups hot water to dissolve. And if something greasy got set on it (cheap-ass pizzas in cheap-ass pizza boxes, for instance) it'd get a greasy splotch for a while.

Of course, this was an unsealed piece of crap butcher block. Nicer pieces that have been properly sealed likely wouldn't have that problem.

Yes, this makes sense. If it is not sealed to begin with, I imagine this would be a problem.

littlemushroom

I am so happy I saw this thread. The house we are buying has an island with a butcher block top and I had zero idea about maintenance and upkeep for it. Now I have a jumping off point and am less concerned about ruining it inadvertantly right after we move in. Thanks all!