Dark woods add warmth and beauty to any kitchen space, and among the dark hardwoods used in homes, walnut is by far the most popular. Housewares and kitchen furnishing designers incorporate walnut wood into many of their designs, including into butcher block tables.

In home kitchens, walnut butcher block tables are versatile pieces. As a work surface, they provide a smooth, even working area for knife work, rolling dough and operating counter top kitchen appliances. Their designs also allow them to double as seating areas for regular use or to expand an eat-in kitchen for a larger crowd at a family gathering or other event. Many of today's styles also feature storage options to relieve clutter in cupboards and drawers.

This Buyers' Guide to Walnut Butcher Block Tables was designed to introduce you to the various style options found in the ranges of block tables available from today's designers. We've also included information about walnut wood and about caring for your table once it's purchased and in your home. Using this guide will make it easier to find the perfect walnut butcher block table for your space and ensure that it remains beautiful and functional for years to come.

Features of Walnut Wood

Walnut wood comes from the Juglans genus of trees, which is found throughout the world. The wood from the Juglans family is known for its color, which can be anywhere from a cream to a medium brown and darkens as it dries.

The American walnut or Juglans rhysocaryon is the most commonly used species for walnut butcher block tables. Sometimes called the black walnut, the American walnut tree has one of the darkest woods, making it appealing for use in furniture. The fibers that comprise the wood are very dense. This allows walnut to be polished to a very smooth finish that is ideal for butcher blocks.

Like all hardwoods, the durability of American walnut wood is measured with a scientific method known as the Janka Test. The test involves embedding a steel ball in the surface of wood in a uniform size and thickness. The force is then measured and used to give the wood a rating. The softest woods have Janka ratings of less than 100, while the hardest measure over 5,000.

American walnut wood has a score of 1010 on the Janka hardness test, making it a moderate hardwood. Walnut can stand up to the force of most everyday kitchen tasks, but is softer than some other varieties, including American red oak, maple and birch.

Walnut Grains

Walnut butcher block tables come in three basic grains.

The most traditional grain is the edge grain, which is made by laying rails or long, thick strips of American walnut wood, which are the exact length of the table top, one above the other. If you study the surface of an end grain walnut butcher block table, you'll notice faint horizontal lines across the top of its surface in the areas where the rails meet. The color of the rails may vary slightly, but as a whole, the piece will have a uniform appearance in terms of coloring.

The end grain walnut butcher block table is not as common as edge grain varieties, but is touted by some as being more durable and easier on knife blades. The grain is produced by slicing the ends of the walnut rails off and then arranging them one after the other into rows that are the length and width of the tabletop. As a result, the surface of a butcher block table with an end grain has a checkerboard appearance with more color variations than an end grain.

The third type of grain found in walnut butcher block tables is the blended grain. This grain consists of rectangular walnut rails that are not the full length of the tabletop and are placed both end to end and from top to bottom. As you examine the top of a blended grain walnut butcher block table, you'll see both vertical and horizontal lines at the areas where the rails are joined. When sanded and finished properly, blended grains typically have similar durability to edge grain styles.

Checkerboard Styles

A small number of walnut butcher block table designers offer checkerboard tables that pair walnut with a lighter wood like maple, birch or ash. This gives the table an eye-catching appearance that is truly unique. When looking at checkerboard styles, choose pieces that contain no fillers and have no empty spaces between the rails. This will ensure that the butcher block table that you purchase is every bit as strong as styles in just one wood.

Walnut Finishes

After you have selected the grain for your walnut butcher block table, you'll need to decide on its finish, the coating that is placed on the wood to keep it moisturized and resistant to splitting. Two finishes are available from today's manufacturers, each of which has its own benefits and considerations.

Natural oil finish is made from a natural blend of food-grade mineral oil. It is the traditional finish for walnut butcher block tables.

Benefits

• Gives the wood a natural, smooth look and feel



• Allows you to work right on the surface of the butcher block without using a cutting board



• Resistant to the temperatures commonly found in kitchens



• Can be sanded and refinished if scratches occur on its surface

Considerations

• Requires re-oiling or waxing every four weeks



• Must be cleaned with gentle soaps and cannot be left wet to air dry

Varnique finish is a food-grade semi-gloss alternative to natural oil finishes.

Benefits

• Gives the wood a smooth look and feel with a glossy surface



• Food safe grade that allows you to roll dough and let ingredients sit on its surface



• Resistant to the temperatures commonly found in kitchens



• Does not require regular maintenance



• Can be cleaned like other kitchen surfaces

Considerations

• Cannot be used for knife work without the protection of a cutting board



• Requires professional repairs if scratched

Style Options to Consider

Once you have selected the perfect butcher block grain and finish for your walnut top table, you are ready to think about the other stylistic elements that are available in today's models.

Size and Shape

While the majority of walnut butcher block tables are rectangular, some manufacturers produce them in other shapes, such as squares. To decide on the length and width for your table, you'll need to balance the overall size of your space with the minimum amount of room that you need to comfortably work or seat guests.

Typically, 18 to 24 inches of space is desirable for performing a single task at a walnut butcher block table. For seating, it's recommended that you have 24 inches of space for each guest to sit comfortably. You'll also need to make sure that there is 30 to 36 inches of space around all sides of the table, where you need to keep a walkway clear.

When considering the height, you'll need to balance the needs of having a comfortable working height with the seating comfort of your guests. Use the following height guidelines to assist you:

• Tables that are 30 to 33 inches tall are best for seating primarily. Most regular chairs can be pulled up to tables of this height,



• Tables that are 34 to 35 inches offer seating with high chairs or low stools and are good everyday work surfaces for people under 5'4" in height.



• Tables that are 36 inches tall work with most bar stools and are the ideal height for people who are 5'4" to 5'10" tall.



• Tables that are over 36 inches in height will typically require high to very high bar stools for seating. As work surfaces, they are suitable for those over 5'10" in height.

Bases

Bases on walnut butcher block tables may be of solid walnut or be in a contrasting natural wood like red oak or rock maple. Some styles have painted wood bottoms that are available in a variety of finishes.

Storage Options and Other Features

Some walnut butcher block tables offer no storage options to maximize on the legroom available for seating. In other styles, however, you'll find some convenient storage items. These may include:

• Open shelves


• Towel racks


• Wood drawers


• Removable wicker basket drawers


• Hinged door cupboards

A small number of walnut butcher block tables are mounted with locking casters that allow them to be easily moved throughout your workspace for storage or use in several locations.

Care

How you care for your walnut butcher block table will depend largely upon its finish. Both finishes can be disinfected with white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or diluted bleach. If either finish develops an odor due to cutting pungent vegetables and herbs like onions or garlic, you can easily deodorize using lemon juice or baking soda.

To clean a natural oil finish walnut butcher block table, first remove solid particles from the surface. Then, use a cloth moistened with a mild dish soap and water to clean the entire tabletop. Rinse your cloth thoroughly, ring it out and then wipe the surface again, ensuring that you remove all of the soap. Finally, take a dry cloth and pat the surface dry. You'll need to completely remove all of the standing water to protect the finish.

For Varnique finishes, you'll also begin cleaning by scraping off or wiping away solid particles. Then, you can clean the surface as you would your counter tops. While most household cleaners are safe for use with Varnique, avoid anything that is very caustic or abrasive.