One of the most useful pieces of kitchenware that you can buy is a butchers block. You may want to choose a large butchers block that is like a piece of furniture or you may prefer a smaller one that is more like a thick board.
The best butchers blocks cutting boards are made of white maple. White maple is a closed grain wood that prevents absorption of any liquids that are left on the block's surface. Oak is an open grained wood and will absorb these liquids. White maple is not going to dull your knives and will resist nicks and cuts from them.
Maple helps to keep butchers blocks resilient to bacteria. Juices from meats or other items that are cut on the board are unable to penetrate the closed grain wood. You still should keep your block wiped clean after each use.
Butchers block chopping boards that have a urethane or varnish finish are only for decorative purposes. They will not stand up to cutting purposes. Instead, you want a butchers block that has been treated with mineral oil. Never use vegetable based oils to treat a butchers block.
Butchers blocks can be sanitized using a very dilute bleach solution. Keep the solution in a spray bottle for this purpose. Sanitize the board after each use and especially when switching from meats to vegetables. The board needs to be kept clean and dry at all times. You do not want your butchers block work board to absorb any of the juices from the meats or vegetables that you are cutting.
Oil finished butchers blocks can be resurfaced by sanding. This should not be necessary until after several years of use. Most butchers blocks are thick enough that the small amount of thickness lost to sanding does not affect their use. After progressing to fine grain sandpaper, wipe away all the dust and re-oil the surface of the block. A buchers block should last a lifetime.
Maple helps to keep butchers blocks resilient to bacteria. Juices from meats or other items that are cut on the board are unable to penetrate the closed grain wood. You still should keep your block wiped clean after each use.
Butchers block chopping boards that have a urethane or varnish finish are only for decorative purposes. They will not stand up to cutting purposes. Instead, you want a butchers block that has been treated with mineral oil. Never use vegetable based oils to treat a butchers block.
Butchers blocks can be sanitized using a very dilute bleach solution. Keep the solution in a spray bottle for this purpose. Sanitize the board after each use and especially when switching from meats to vegetables. The board needs to be kept clean and dry at all times. You do not want your butchers block work board to absorb any of the juices from the meats or vegetables that you are cutting.
Oil finished butchers blocks can be resurfaced by sanding. This should not be necessary until after several years of use. Most butchers blocks are thick enough that the small amount of thickness lost to sanding does not affect their use. After progressing to fine grain sandpaper, wipe away all the dust and re-oil the surface of the block. A buchers block should last a lifetime.
About the Author:
The recent proliferation of high quality butchers block boards and proven sanitary benefits are encouraging people to buy butchers block for use in home kitchens. Artisan made Maple blocks, which make the best butcher block counter tops and cutting boards are preferred.
