Butcher-block counter tops and tables give
a beautiful effect to any modern kitchen. The woods used include Maple, beech
and ash. If you are giving your kitchen a makeover then think about replacing
laminate top work surfaces with butcher-block ones. Butcher block is made from
strips of wood glued together to look like one solid piece.
The natural variation present in any wood gives interest and beauty to the
surface. 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. No more
scratches, no more scorch marks or stains.
Maintenance of butcher-block tables and surfaces is what concerns most people.
More maintenance is required than for marble, granite or laminate. Wood is
porous, so the surface should never be left wet. Bacteria from meat and other
foodstuffs will flourish if the surface is not cleaned adequately after each
use.
Wash down with a dilute dishwashing solution after every use, then rinse this
off and dry the wood thoroughly. After cutting meat or chicken on your
butcher-block surface you should wash the surface with a 10% solution of a
chlorine-based bleach. Leave the bleach on the surface for 10-15 minutes, then
rinse and allow it to dry.
You will need to oil the surface with clear paraffin oil occasionally, just wipe
the surface with a little oil on a cloth, leave it for about an hour, then wipe
off any excess oil.
It is not a good idea to cut on your surface because it will soon be damaged, no
matter what coating is applied. Buy a butcher block chopping board for this
purpose, treat it in the same way, but the cutting board is easily replaced or
sanded down and resealed if it is damaged.
About The Author
Find out more at
http://www.butchers-block.info.
Loreno Lepe has a background in the chemical and construction industries.
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