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.
Find out more at http://www.butchers-block.info.
Related Articles
What Are the Alkemi Countertops
By: Arturo | 02/11/2006 | Home Improvement
There are many materials to choose from when it comes to countertops. There are natural stone countertops materials such as granite and marble that are elegant but expensive. Wood is another material for countertops use that gives certain warmness to a home but requires proper care and maintenance. Fabricated solid surfaces like the corian countertop, is another way to go in your quest to find a perfect fit for your kitchen cabinet. Now there is another option to look at in the Alkemi countertop.
Laminate Installation for Countertops
By: Arturo | 20/11/2006 | Home Improvement
The following instructions are intended to save you time, effort and money when it comes to installing plastic laminate or Formica on countertops.
Laminated plastics are available in many hardware and home improvement stores in a wide variety of colors, designs and patterns, and they have many applications, such as for countertops, tabletops and flooring among others. Sheets of laminated plastic are available both in dull or gloss finish, so you have a choice when preparing for a project. Laminated plastic is made from layers of paper that are injected with resin and bonded together under with a great deal of pressure and high temperature in order to form a strong, rigid sheet.
Formica Counter Tops - Quartz Surfacing for Counter Tops
By: Arturo | 28/05/2007 | Home Improvement
Formica is a manufacturer that offers high-pressure laminate Formica counter top in hundreds of colors, patterns, finishes and textures. A great product for your Formica counter top is Quartz surfacing. Quartz surfacing is an engineered stone composite that is popular for use in kitchens and baths for Formica counter tops.
How To Choose The Perfect Granite Work Surface
By: Ed Green | 01/07/2006 | Business
Real Granite and cheap Granite are related like chalk and cheese. Dont get ripped off by internet based suppliers
Concrete Countertops: Hot Designs For Your Home
By: Ryan Burden | 09/06/2007 | Home and Family
Truly a designer's dream, concete countertops are rapidly gaining popularity with custom colors, unlimited shapes and unique style possibilities unmatched by any other surface, but a few trade-offs too. Are concrete countertops right for you?
What's Lurking in Your Granite Countertops Can Kill You
By: Josveek Huligar | 27/07/2008 | Kitchens
In the present day, there's a very popular angle of "green." This is prevalent everywhere in the media. So what happens when you mix a scare tactic under the guise of environmental concern?
Everyone is Getting Granite Countertops
By: David Marc Fishman | 21/12/2006 | Home and Family
Kitchen granite countertops are created by nature and fashioned by man and are a beautiful, durable and cost effective choice for kitchens and baths.
How To Come Up With A Plan You Will Love For Your Kitchen Remodel
By: Gregg Hall | 13/08/2007 | Home and Family
The focus on designing a elegant kitchen is designing it on and around how you're going to be using this space. Once you've made a list of problems to correct in your new plan, the fun part of kitchen remodel design begins, as you make choices about cabinetry, flooring, countertops, and lighting.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Butcher block treatment
By: Carmen | 14-04-2007
What is the best treatment for keeping a kitchen "butcher block platform" (instead of marble platform) clean and "good looking"?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Advertising Articles
Are You Looking For A More Affective Way To Advertise?
By: Kristi Ambrose | 27/08/2008
Although posting to groups is a good thing to do, it also can take up a lot of your precious time. So, then what? Well there are actual people that will do this for you!. They allow you to automatically post your ads on these groups, which saves you incredible amounts of time.
A Website Can Be An Asset Or A Flop Depending Upon How You Prepare
By: Robert Schumacher | 26/08/2008
A business website is not a silver bullet that will automatically wake up your business and propel you to new heights.
Best Practices for Transporting Trade Show Displays
By: Amy Nutt | 23/08/2008
Transporting your tradeshow display doesn't involve rocket science, but it isn't something you want to skimp on either. It does take a bit of planning and coordination. Why do you need to be so careful?
Different Ways of Customizing Trade Show Displays
By: Amy Nutt | 23/08/2008
Your trade show display is going to make you or break you. It is that one thing that customers seem to see once. If your display looks good, then the customer will move onto what type of products you're selling.
Mascots and the Olympics
By: Amy Nutt | 23/08/2008
The first Olympic mascot was introduced in 1972 at the Munich games. These mascots have become a very important element of the Olympics. It is an image that is unique and very popular because it materializes the spirit of the Olympics, promotes the history, and communicates the overall concept.
Innovative Ways of Attracting More Visitors to Your Trade Show Booth
By: Amy Nutt | 22/08/2008
When operating a trade show booth, you have to do things that will make customers want to look at what you have. That requires you to be very creative, though. If you're not creative, then you're going to be doing the same exact things that everyone else is doing.
Fall Is The Perfect Time To Clean Blips Off Your Marketing Slate
By: Robert Schumacher | 21/08/2008
Marketing blips keep poppiing up in advertising programs of small businesses. These blips throw up roadblocks and put a ceiling on revenue growth while limiting the effects of advertising. Erase them now.
During Shaky Tmes, Be Careful What You Cut
By: Robert Schumacher | 19/08/2008
When the going get rough, small business owners and managers correctly cut expenses. Advertising should not be one of those cuts. A shaky economy offers an ideal opportunity for the small business to gain market share if they hang in and continue to advertise.
More from Loreno Lepe
Air Ambulances - An Overview
By: Loreno Lepe | 04/12/2006 | Health
A review of air ambulance services available.
Decking - The Low Maintenance Alternative
By: Loreno Lepe | 20/07/2006 | Advice
If you are looking for a cost-effective, low-maintanance way to revamp your garden, installing decking could be the answer.
Patent It - If You Don't, Someone Else Will!
By: Loreno Lepe | 19/07/2006 | Advertising
Do you have an invention that has been burrowing away in your mind for years? Do you think it could make you real money, but you lack the financial ability to do anything about it at the moment? If you do, you might want to consider applying for a patent.
Espresso Machines - Making The Best Coffee In The World, At Home
By: Loreno Lepe | 08/07/2006 | Advertising
Think about having a fresh, coffee-shop-quality espresso when you get up in the morning - without having to leave the house.
Blocked Drains Kill - Information On Hydrogen Sulfide
By: Loreno Lepe | 25/06/2006 | Advertising
If you are moving into a new home, particularly a rural property there are a few simple precautions you should take in relation to sewage problems. Sewage blockages happen everywhere, and septic tanks need emptying regularly.
Demolition - Where Do You Start?
By: Loreno Lepe | 12/06/2006 | Advertising
Why should you demolish that old building, it is doing no harm to anyone? There are many reasons why you should do something about old buildings that have fallen into disrepair.
Truck Driving Jobs - Starting Out
By: Loreno Lepe | 12/06/2006 | Careers
Looking for a job? Have you considered driving a truck? What is involved? Driving, early starts and maybe night driving, lots of fast food and little exercise. What skills do I need? ยท You need to have a full automobile driving licence.
Rats, Mice And Unicorns - Call The Pest Control Experts
By: Loreno Lepe | 09/06/2006 | Advertising
Everyone has pests in their home at one time or another in their lives. Some are easier to get rid of than others.
Advertising 
