If you’re interested in a butcher block countertop, there are many things to learn. When clients come to Maryland Wood Countertops, they ask us all sorts of questions, from the best wood species to the best construction style to how to maintain their new top. A vital part of finishing and maintaining your surfaces is using butcher block oil.
Does Butcher Block Oil Equal High-Maintenance Countertops?
Butcher block maintenance is easy and includes:
- Wiping with soap and water
- Drying the wood thoroughly
- Using potholders and trivets
- Using coasters (buy nice ones so you’ll be more inclined to use them)
- Cleaning with natural methods
- Re-oiling yearly or after damage
At Maryland Wood Countertops, we recommend using the same green cleaning methods used in the woodworking industry. You’ll love these cleaning secrets if you’d rather clean with natural ingredients than chemicals. In fact, we recommend staying away from wood cleaners and wood soaps. They strip the butcher block oil and our other finishes, leaving the wood vulnerable to damage and bacteria.
The nature of butcher block means that scratches and cuts will occur. If your surface sustains a gouge from a cleaver that’s too heavy, we can repair it through sanding and re-oiling.
Yearly oiling with Howard® Butcher Block Conditioner will keep the most frequently used surfaces looking their best. It even “repairs” knife cuts by sealing them, making your kitchen island smooth again.
Is Butcher Block Oil Safe for Food?
Hardwoods have built-in antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. This means that you can safely cut meat on our butcher block.
Butcher block conditioner keeps wood from drying out and losing its antibacterial protection. It also helps keep your blades in top condition. Clients who keep their butcher block oiled say that their blades rarely need sharpening.
If you’re tempted to use non-commercial oil, avoid vegetable oil. It will make your butcher block countertops smell rancid. Howard® Butcher Block Conditioner combines food-safe waxes and mineral oil for the finest butcher block treatment.
Using Butcher Block Oil to Protect Your Investment
A new countertop adds value, beauty and usefulness to your home. To protect your investment and make sure it looks good, you power wash and restain your deck. Think of your butcher block the same way. Butcher block oil is maintenance for your countertops.
As with any maintenance, you can do it yourself, but the pros do it best. Too much oil leaves you with a slippery surface, while too little doesn’t give you full protection. We also like a chance to inspect our projects after six months or a year of use. We like to hear from clients, and we can perform small, on-the-spot touch-ups if needed.
Avoid Product Switching
Butcher block isn’t like an end table that can appear dull after years of cleaning with the same product. It has vitality. It absorbs moisturizers and keeps its natural highlights.
Changing products can do the opposite of what you expect. There’s no product buildup to remove. Using a new product may undo some of the benefits you’ve gained by regularly treating your butcher block.
Keep in mind that all butcher block conditioners aren’t the same. We’ve tested different conditioners and found Howard® Butcher Block to be the one that satisfies both our woodworkers and clients.
The oil used to finish butcher block that will be in direct contact with food isn’t waterproof. That’s why it’s important to keep your countertops dry.
Want more information about our butcher block oil, or need a new butcher block countertop for your kitchen? Call Maryland Wood Countertops today at 443-840-7373.