Wood is a hygroscopic material, it continues to gain and lose moisture through out its life. Wood is porous, so the surface should never be left wet, so although a wooden butcher block is appealing in the kitchen - is not advisable around or close to a sink. Wood is a natural material that responds to changes in temperature and humidity, so will need maintaining once installed.
A butcher-block is made by gluing pieces of wood together, with the wood fiber parallel to the surface in the case of edge grain, and perpendicular to in the case of end grains. Oil finishes tend to darken over time and must also be re-applied from time to time as exposed, unfinished wood will degrade fairly rapidly, especially if left wet. Dense woods are needed to withstand the demands placed on them and hardwoods like oak, maple or rubber wood are usually used.
The best quality butcher’s blocks are usually made of maple, built of solid wood and finished in a durable, lacquer-coated white or natural-finished base. Work surfaces made from solid wood are never going to date, they just ooze quality and you do away with all the disadvantages of laminates as well as being kinder to the environment.
Maple and other woods
Maple, Red Oak, Ash and Lyptus are also standard woods to use in the construction of butcher blocks. Maple Wildwood is a lower grade product which is designed for workbenches, shelving, rustic tables and other utilitarian applications rathe than a professional kitchen setting or for use in the home as a cutting board.. Maple blocks are available in a wide variety of standard sizes in thicknesses of 7/8″, 1 3/8″ and 1 7/8″, but also made to order in custom sizes. Different makers use different techniques and woods- Lewisohn, for example, manufacture from kiln-dried Appalachian hardwood, featuring Red and White Oak, with White Maple available upon request. They also make a hard rock maple and stainless steel top which is 1-3/4″ thick. The woods used include Maple, beech and ash. Whether it is the clean straight grained look of maple or the rich honey tones of Oak, cherry or bamboo, they are good choices for tough surfaces with enough give to protect your knives. Harder than maple lighter than oak and resistant to scratches and moisture bamboo makes the ultimate cutting board, according to some. A solid edge grain Maple with a natural oil finish and features a groove around the edge so juices wont overflow to your countertop for barbecuing is my preference.
Cutting
Using a separate cutting board for garlic and onions is a must, but it does not need to be a full size board. If you do a lot of cutting, wood is the perfect choice. How do I oil a cutting board or butcher block surface? you may ask. Easy - After cutting meat or poultry, the butcher block should be cleaned with mild soap and a disinfectant, such as a small amount of bleach, then use a small amount of penetrating Oil. Butcher’s blocks are a favorite among chefs due to the fact that all counter surfaces can be used as cutting areas without dulling the knives. Just like wooden cutting boards and butcher blocks, the natural wood surface of the table kitchen island with butcher block is protected by special penetrating oil, which is actually absorbed into the fibers. One side of these cutting boards often features a holding wedge”- a slim groove that runs around the edges of the board and grips your poultry or roast to keep it from sliding off the board while you carve. Oak, cherry, bamboo, and maple butcher blocks are good choices for tough surfaces but with enough give to protect your knives from damage
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Butcher block has gone from being the mainstay of butcher’s cutting boards to being commonly used as a material for home furniture. Butchers block countertops and furniture have become extremely popular, largely thanks to the durability and relative price when compared to other materials.
The first butcher’s block was built in Michigan in 1881, using a technique called “wood welding,” which is basically gluing under high pressure. Butcher block is made by assembling small pieces of wood into a single piece, using glue to hold to boards together and was originally created, as the name suggests, to use as cutting boards by butchers. This need came about because the boards in use at that time were becoming unsanitary. Until that time, butchers would use a section of tree trunk.
There are several different types of block, and professional butchers usually prefer end-grain blocks because this tends to allow the knife to go between the grains and stay sharper longer. Sugar Maple is the preferred wood although other types of wood may be used – especially for home furniture.
Butcher block is used to form counter tops, table tops, cutting boards, workbench tops, kitchen islands, work benches, carving boards, dining tables; and even occasionally the traditional meat block. It is extremely easy to work on after production and was designed to allow the surface to be sanded down after cutting meat directly in the surface. Traditionally, a butcher would buy one as an apprentice and use one block throughout his career.
Although practical, their appeal as household furniture comes not only from the relative durability when compared to other products, but the true beauty of the material when finished with oils. Rolling carts are extremely popular and were the original household item as opposed to the professional block used by a full time butcher. These are often made using northern hard Maple wood or red oak and come with wheels fitted, a built in drawer and one or more drop leaves.
Many professional chefs prefer to use hardwood butcher block as a cutting surface because it is less likely to blunt a knife. Apart from that the natural beauty of the wood makes a welcome addition to any kitchen – professional or amateur. Often used as not only cutting boards, but kitchen islands and preparation carts. There are also a growing number of manufacturers making environmentally friendly butcher blocks using renewable resources such as Lyptus wood, or recycling other woods.
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Butcher block cutting boards make great wedding gifts or house-warming presents regardless of whether you’re looking for edge grain or end grain, maple, birch, cherry or walnut board. Every one loves a heavy, wooden butcher block cutting board. A butcher block cutting board is also perfect for the culinary geek or gourmet aficionado in your life. I once owned a big thick board that was so heavy I could barely pick it up to clean, but I would not part with it until I had a bigger one. The smaller boards are better for cheese, but there is nothing like a big heavy board, especially of you are doing any butchery – such as cutting up a chicken.
Cutting and cleaning – How do you clean the black knife marks on a butcher block cutting board?
We’re going to sanitize it with some vinegar water or mild bleach. First spray the Cutting Board With Vinegar Water or diluted bleach or Boos cream. They will sell this wherever you buy the cutting boards from. The big things with cutting boards are never put them in the dishwasher or soaking in the sink, or they will split. I will repeat that – never ever place a butcher board in a dishwasher, or you will destroy it. After drying, oil about once every three months. Now your cutting board has been cared for properly. And, if you repeat that after every use, these cutting boards will last decades. I’m glad others agree that wood is the ultimate cutting surface, and it certainly is kinder on knives. How do you season a butcher block cutting board and what kind of finish do you use for a wood cutting board? You don’t want to get sick from a dirty cutting board, so it is vital to keep it clean, but only season occasionally.
I prefer a square board with enough space to do my cutting but some people like to serve cheese and hors d’oeuvre on them so they buy an assortment of shapes and sizes. I also have a selection of smaller boards. But you also want to know that plastic cutting boards are a little rougher on your knives and I would not use a plastic board.
Cooking without the proper kitchen tools is a pain in the ass, but cooking with the proper tools is a pleasure and a wooden board like these is a proper tool. The practical butcher block board and maple kitchen cart can last for many years if cared for properly. Wooden butcher block board and maple kitchen island countertops are obviously much more durable than other kitchen accessories made of other materials such as melamine. A kitchen island can provide you with extra storage space, added style, and enhanced work area if it is properly designed. Some people may say it should depend on the size of your kitchen and where you are going to store it but I think you should base your decision on what you are going to use it for and how often. Personally – I always buy the best I can afford and then base the decision on that.
Which wood should you buy?
Some of the best woods to use include oak, cherry, maple, and walnut. Oak is 16% harder than maple, which means less visible knife marks, and that’ll keeping the cutting board looking great for years. You can of course, mix it up – for example, you can lay out a strip of maple, a strip of cherry, a strip of walnut; then, repeat the process in order to make a pattern. The most popular wood is Maple – readily available in the North of North America where these blocks originated from in the first place. 1181 saw the first butcher block produced in Michigan.
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Most butcher block countertops are manufactured using traditional techniques going back to the 1800s. In fact, the first maker of butcher’s block was a form in Michigan that developed the process known as “wood welding,” which involves gluing pieces of wood together under pressure to form a solid bond.
There are two basic types of butcher’s block:
Edge grain
As suggested by the name this type uses pieces of wood glued together with the grain direction being parallel to the surface and often ends up appearing similar to hard wood flooring. The more expensive countertop will feature wood that has rails running the entire length of the counter, although some pleasing patterns can be created using smaller pieces or recovered wood. In fact, the tendency recently to create eco-friendly furniture using recovered wood is also becoming more popular and can produce extremely attractive kitchen counter-tops.
End grain
Once again – as the name suggests, this type of butcher block uses pieces of wood that have been glued together with the grain running perpendicular to the surface. Generally professional chefs prefer these and most blocks that are intended for use by a butcher will be end grain rather than edge grain. The reason they are preferred is the fact that the end grain allows the knives to slip between the grains, meaning any knives or cleavers used will stay sharper for longer. In olden days, it was typical that a butcher would buy a block at the beginning of his apprenticeship and never need to replace it as long as he lived. The surface is sanded down to produce a new layer of wood and the block becomes moulded as it ages.
Once the blocks are complete, it is easily possible to create furniture from the resulting wood blocks. Many different types of butcher-block countertop styles are available And in many different finishes. Standard wood finishes can be applied if there is no intention of using the countertop as a work surface and cutting food directly on it. If it sis to be used as a cutting board, it is possible to apply some non toxic oils, but a plain unfinished wood works well.
Kitchen counter tops can be extremely attractive when made in this way and stained to match existing woodwork. Butcher blocks certainly have come a long way since being the “Sanitary Meat Block,” it started out as. Most companies that make kitchen counter tops from these are bespoke and made by hand, which means no two pieces are exactly the same.
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A Butcher block is made from strips of wood glued together to look like one solid piece. Butcher block islands give you the perfect surface for chopping, while providing an extra work station and storage space; also it’s a quarter of the price of stone, and it’s very warm and homey. Butcher block is common for chopping as is marble for baking and is a good neutral choice which allows you a lot of flexibility to redesign your kitchen later on without having to replace the countertops to fit the color.
Kitchen Countertops
Before you design your home, chose your kitchen layout first. In recent years, the butcher block has become an essential piece of kitchen furniture. Most kitchen islands have a butcher block surface that can be used for food preparation and as a work place. In addition, kitchen islands and butcher blocks provide handy extra storage. Some freestanding butcher-block kitchen islands are large enough to be used as a breakfast bars.
Butcher’s block counter tops and tables give a beautiful effect to any modern kitchen. A kitchen is the heart of the home meaning the result is a charming, functional kitchen with a unique look that reflects your personality and style. Kitchen countertops are usually made from end grain. The kitchen has become more than just the place where meals are prepared. Choosing a kitchen counter material can be an overwhelming task in the midst of a huge kitchen makeover, but the butchers block countertop is a must.
Boos countertops
Boos also makes great kitchen worktables with butcher-block tops. Boos sawdust is also recycled as livestock bedding for their local agricultural needs and their TubesBoos Block Board Cream not only enhances the beauty of your cutting board and butcher block`s color and sleek appeal, it also provides a finish that enhances longevity.
John Boos also make a block that will give you extra prep space and keeps knives secure and out of sight. John Boos kitchen cart has four locking 3 inches commercial-grade casters make for easy moving. A past recipient of the Gold Medal for Excellence in Foodservice Equipment, John Boos & Company is a leading manufacturer of residential and commercial chopping blocks, cutting boards and tables.
John Boos butcher block is made of 100% solid hard rock maple, manufactured with the same specifications as those used in 1887. The Chef designed John Boos Giant Cutting board is perfect for your counter-top or the patio BBQ and Boos offers a large selection including kitchen islands, cheese cutting boards, chopping blocks, and various kitchen accessories.
The most important step in avoiding food contamination is to wash your rolling table kitchen island with butcher block thoroughly with John Boos penetrating Oil after each use. The tables also make a fine breakfast bar or a handsome hall table††Pro Chef Mobile Stovetop Station†Biella Bar Stools†Merida Wooden Bar StoolsThis Pro Chef Mobile Stovetop Station by John Boos is a hot new look in kitchen equipment, combining butcher block with food service grade stainless steel.
The butcher block is the butcher’s “workbench” and 3 ft tall is the ideal height for food preparation tasks. An end-grain butcher block is kinder to the blade of your knife, keeping it sharper, longer. By following a few easy usage rules and maintenance steps, the life of a butcher block is almost unlimited: Wash your block by hand only using anti-bacterial dish soap and warm water or Boos oil product.
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