Butcher Block Counter FAQs

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What’s the difference between end grain and edge grain?

End grain butcher block tops are built by fusing together the end pieces of wood rails into a classic checkerboard pattern. Edge grain butcher block tops feature parallel wood rails that span that length of the piece. Our edge grain butcher blocks feature full length wood rails with no unsightly butt ends or finger joints, as well as minimal color variation and mineral streaks. They also feature a true flat surface and uniform thickness throughout. Our end grain butcher blocks are often the first choice of pro chefs because the end grain construction is the strongest and most durable. End grain butcher blocks are also easy on knives. During cutting or chopping, the end grain wood fibers absorb the impact of the knife blade; this keeps knives sharper longer and also helps prevent nicks and gouges, which extends the life of the butcher block top and also helps prevent bacteria from entering the wood. End grain construction often has more character, meaning the wood can have more color variation, and the end joints can vary slightly in size, creating a unique pattern in each end grain block. Both our end grain and edge grain butcher block tops are available in both lyptus and hard rock maple. Our edge grain tops are also available in Appalachian red oak.

What’s the difference between the varnique semi-gloss and natural oil finishes?

Many of our butcher blocks feature a food-safe natural oil finish that seals and protects the wood and provides an ideal cutting surface. Natural oil is the finish to choose if you intend to cut upon your butcher block directly. For natural oil finish butcher blocks, it is recommended that you re-oil the surface every 4 weeks or so using a pure white mineral oil that you can purchase at a regular grocery store or hardware store. You can easily bring the surface of your natural oil finish butcher block back to like-new appearance by sanding and re-oiling the surface.

Varnique semi-gloss is a virtually maintenance free light gloss finish that also seals and protects the wood, but is not meant to be cut upon directly. Varnique semi-gloss is ideal for aesthetic applications, and it is also the finish of choice for bakers who intend to use their butcher blocks to roll dough. Varnique semi-gloss finished butcher blocks can be easily cleaned with mild soap and warm water. Varnique is resistant to most household detergents, though it is always best to avoid the use of harsh chemicals on your butcher block surface. Varnique semi-gloss finished butcher block tables, butcher block kitchen islands, and butcher block carts have a beautiful fine furniture look.

What is jointed flat-grain construction?

Our commercial grade butcher block counter tops feature jointed flat-grain construction. With jointed flat-grain construction, wood rails are placed end to end at irregular spacing across the butcher block top with butt ends or finger joints showing. The strength of the butcher block top is not at all compromised and the integrity of the work surface is equivalent to that of an edge grain butcher block top with full length wood rails. Only the appearance is different.

How do you clean a natural oil finish butcher block?

To clean a natural oil finish butcher block, first scrape loose with a steel scraper or spatula any heavy food particles or foreign matter that may have adhered to the butcher block surface. After brushing or scraping all loose particles from the butcher block surfaces, take a dish cloth dipped in soapy water, or water with a very mild detergent, and wash the butcher block surface as you would any other wood surface. Wash the dish cloth in clear warm water, wring it out, and go over the butcher block surface again. Finish up by taking a dry cloth and thoroughly drying the butcher block surface. Do not leave water sitting on the surface of your butcher block, as this may cause water spotting. If liquid is left sitting on your natural oil finish butcher block, and spotting does occur, you can renew the surface of your butcher block by sanding with heavy duty grit sandpaper and applying a generous coat of mineral oil.

How do you clean a varnique semi-gloss finish butcher block?

Varnique semi-gloss finished butcher blocks clean up easily with mild soap and warm water. Varnique is impervious to most household chemicals, though it is wise to avoid the use of harsh chemicals or harsh detergents that may damage the finish. Varnique, though less permeable to water than natural oil, is not impermeable; therefore, it is wise to clean up liquid spills on your butcher block counter as soon as they appear.

Can I order an Unfinished Butcher Block Counter Top?

If you prefer to finish your butcher block yourself, we can provide you with an unfinished counter top. When you place your order online, please note in the Comments Box at checkout that you would like your counter top unfinished. If you order by phone, please specify with the customer service representative that you would like the counter top unfinished. Unfinished countertops are made with the same top quality materials and expert manufacturing techniques as natural oil or varnique semi-gloss finished countertops; however, unfinished counter tops do not come with a warranty. This is due to the fact that butcher blocks are not fully protected until they are sealed and, therefore, unfinished butcher blocks are more likely to sustain minor damage during shipment, storage, and installation. When you confirm that you would like an unfinished butcher block counter top, you acknowledge that the block you are purchasing is not covered under the standard 1-year warranty and that you are responsible for making sure it is properly sealed upon receipt.

How often will I need to re-oil my oil finish butcher block?

For natural oil finish butcher blocks, you should re-oil all surfaces of your block every 4 weeks or so. Because butcher block wood is a live material, extremes of humidity and dryness can swell and shrink your butcher block enough to cause seasonal checks to appear. This possibility, though remote, is an unavoidable condition of enjoying the beauty of a living material. Real wood with a check is still prettier than Formica without one! Cracks filled with cellulose filler of the right tint become practically invisible. Still, you can help preserve your butcher block by keeping your home humidified in winter and by refreshing your butcher block every 4 weeks with a generous coating of natural mineral oil on all surfaces. You can use pure white mineral oil that you can purchase from a local hardware store or grocery store.

What are the butcher block counter edges like?

Our edge grain butcher block counters come standard with a straight 90 degree edge. The edge is not sharp to the touch, but rather is slightly eased. Our end grain butcher block counters come standard with edges rounded on a ¼” radius.

How do I install my butcher block counter?

All our butcher block counters come with installation instructions. Installation is simple. Only minimal fixing is required, as the butcher block will be held down by self weight, plumping, etc. It is best to fix your butcher block into the same strip of wood at two fixing points. Fixing of your butcher block is best done through the underside of cabinet base framework via a 7/16” pre-drilled clearance hole and #10 gauge screw with a washer. To allow for natural expansion, your butcher block should never be glued down.

Note: It is important that your butcher block counter have adequate ventilation, to prevent excessive moisture movement into the wood; therefore, do not attach your butcher block counter directly on top of solid underlayment, such as particle board of MDF tops; or, if you do, be sure to cut large holes in the underlayment so the butcher block can breathe. If you install your butcher block next to a brick wall, it is best to use a moisture barrier, such as plastic, and leave a slight air gap to prevent moisture transference.

Does the butcher block counter come with installation hardware and instructions?

Our butcher block counters come with installation instructions, but not with installation hardware. You can easily purchase the required installation hardware from your local hardware store.

Can I install my butcher block counter atop a solid underlayment?

It is best to install your butcher block counter over base cabinet framing, but not over solid underlayment, which would prevent proper ventilation.

Should I use glue when installing my butcher block counter?

No. Wood is a live material and will expand and contract with changes in atmospheric conditions. Gluing your butcher block would interfere with the natural expansion and contraction of the wood and is therefore not recommended.

Can I cut my butcher block counter myself?

Yes, you can. In fact, many of our customers purchase standard sized butcher block counters and have them cut on site. If you cut your butcher block counter at home, or have your carpenter cut it for you, be sure to reseal your butcher block counter wherever you’ve cut it with at least 4 coats of sealer. Good sealing of your butcher block is essential to prevent abrupt and excessive moisture movement to and from the wood.

Can I get my butcher block counter with a sink or stove cut-out?

Although we are no longer offering sink/stove cut-outs, this is something you can easily do with edge grain counter tops on site. In fact, the majority of our customers prefer to purchase a standard-sized butcher block counter and have the cut-out done on site, either on their own, or by a carpenter. However, we do not recommend sink cut-outs for End Grain or Commercial-Grade counter tops, due to their construction. Since the pieces on these counter tops are smaller, cutting a sink or stove cut-out could compromise the integrity of the joints.

Can I Create a Sink or Stove Cut-Out in My End Grain Counter Top?

Due to the jointed construction of end grain and commercial-grade tops, a sink/stove cut-out can, if not done carefully, compromise the integrity of the joints where the cut-out is made. However, an experienced carpenter can create a proper cut-out in an end grain or commercial-grade top and many of our customers do cut-outs on end grain and commercial-grade tops without any problems whatsoever. If you are planning a cut-out for an end grain or jointed commercial-grade top, be sure to consult an experienced carpenter and ensure that you use proper care when making the cut. Please note that although all of our butcher blocks come standard with a 1-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, the warranty is voided when you make cuts or alterations on site.

Can I stain my Butcher Block Counter Top myself?

If you plan to use your butcher block as a food preparation surface, we do not recommend staining your counter top, as most stains are not food safe. However, if you want the elegance of butcher block in your kitchen, but do not plan to prepare food directly on the surface, then you can stain the counter top yourself. Our wood types are not stained, because we prefer to allow the natural beauty of the wood to shine through. Please note that any modifications made to the counter top will void your 1-year warranty. The best option is to choose a wood type that will work best in your kitchen, without staining it.

If you still prefer to stain the counter top yourself, we recommend the Appalachian Red Oak for staining purposes. Maple and Lyptus are both tight grain woods, and do not soak up stains well. Because Appalachian Red Oak is not a tight grain wood, it will absorb wood stains very well, for a deep, rich color. The tightness of the grain does not impact durability of the counter top.

Can I put my butcher block counter above a dishwasher or oven?

Yes, you can, though it is important that your appliance be properly insulated to prevent excessive heat transfer to the butcher block.

How long will it take to get my butcher block countertop?

To ensure the highest quality, our butcher block counters are all built to order. The normal lead time on standard cuts is 3-4 weeks.

Is my butcher block countertop waterproof? What happens if I get water on it?

Butcher block is a live natural material that is permeable to water. Natural oil finish butcher blocks will develop water spots if water is left standing on the surface. Varnique semi-gloss finish butcher blocks, though less permeable, will also spot and absorb water if water is left standing on the surface. On both natural oil finish butcher blocks and varnique semi-gloss finish butcher blocks, it is best to clear up water spills as soon as they occur. If water spots develop on the surface of natural oil finish butcher block, you can remove them by lightly sanding and re-oiling the surface, which will bring it back to like-new appearance.

How do I restore my butcher block countertop if it gets damaged or stained?

You can easily restore your natural oil finish butcher block by sanding with heavy duty grit sandpaper and re-oiling with pure white mineral oil, which you can purchase from a local hardware store or grocery store.

Can I use part of my butcher block counter as a breakfast bar? How far can my breakfast bar extend over my counter?

Yes, you can have an overhang for a breakfast bar. On edge grain counters, the permissible length of overhang depends on how you install your butcher block counter. If your butcher block counter is installed so that the overhanging portion runs along the length of the piece, parallel to the wood rails, the maximum allowed overhang without additional bracket support is 8”; if placement that results in an overhang greater than 8”, the overhang must be supported underneath by brackets. If, however, your butcher block counter is installed so that the overhanging portion runs perpendicular to the length of the wood rails, the maximum allowed overhang is 12”, in this case, placement resulting in an overhang greater than 12” must be stabilized underneath by brackets.

Do your butcher block counters come with a warranty?

All John Boos butcher block counters come with a one-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Butcher blocks that are special ordered to ship ‘unfinished’ do not come with the standard one-year warranty. The warranty does not apply to damage caused by neglect or regular wear and tear. If you make on site alterations to the block, the warranty is void.

Do you use staples or fasteners in your butcher block counters?

All of our butcher block counter tops are created using a high-pressure process that fuses the pieces together. However, in some of our end grain, blended, or commercial counter tops, you may occasionally find staples or fasteners. These do not affect the integrity of the butcher block counter at all, and they will not be visible.

Do you ship to Canada?

Unfortunately, we do not ship to Canada at this time; however, we offer free ground shipping to any destination within the contiguous United States. Many of our Canadian customers choose to have us ship to a US location and they have it forwarded from there.