The first standing butcher blocks were created in the 1880s, originating in Europe, where a new interest in food safety led butchers to look for alternatives to the sliced tree stumps they had been using for cutting. Butcher blocks made their way to the United States by the end of the decade and mass-produced by American craftsmen in full force by the turn of the century.

Due to their appeal, the use of standing butcher blocks gradually reached beyond butcher shops and into other commercial settings and homes. As the types of users that purchased butcher blocks continued to expand, manufacturers increased the number of styles they produced to meet customers' needs. As a result, modern home chefs like you will find a wide variety of options as you begin to shop for a standing butcher block to fit your kitchen.

Our Buyers' Guide to Standing Butcher Blocks examines the major differences between today's models. Use the guide to help you consider the options available and to form the image of the perfect butcher block for you. Once you know exactly what style best suits your needs, selecting the ideal standing butcher block becomes a simple task.

Size

Before you consider the style of your standing butcher block, you'll need to determine what size is best for your space. Take a moment and measure the space you have available in your kitchen, remembering that roughly 30 to 36 inches of space is necessary on any side of the butcher block that people will use as a walkway.

Once you have determined the maximum size that can fit comfortably in your kitchen, you're ready to think about the specific dimension ranges to focus on while you shop. Dimensions for butcher blocks are typically given in inches in the United States. Most manufacturers arrange their measurements in “length by width by height” format.

Length and width

Traditional standing blocks are square in size, meaning they will have equal length and width measurements. Some manufacturers do produce round, oval and rectangular standing blocks, but these are far less common. Most butcher blocks fall into one of two length categories: 18 to 25 inches or 30 to 40 inches. A small number of standing butcher blocks are sold in sizes that are longer than 40 inches.

With a block that is 18 to 25 inches in length, you'll be able to comfortably perform one task at a time with your equipment placed right in front of you. Blocks that are 30 to 40 inches in length will allow you to have two tasks placed side by side or to have extra room around your work area to keep ingredients or utensils. Blocks that are over 40 inches can often accommodate two people working side by side.

If you do not select a butcher block that is square, you'll want to ensure that the width of your block is adequate to hold the largest equipment that you intend to use as you work.

Height

Because standing butcher blocks are used primarily as work surfaces rather than as decorative pieces, selecting the right height is extremely important. If your block is too low, you may find it difficult to stand at it comfortably for extended periods of time. Blocks that are too high can make it difficult to safely use a knife and other tools.

If you are between 5'4" and 5'10" tall, a butcher block that is 35 to 36 inches tall is best for you. If you are less than 5'4" tall, look for styles that are 32 to 34 inches tall, depending on your height. If you are more than 5'10" tall, focus on standing butcher blocks that are over 36" in height.

Wood Type

Once you have an idea of what size will best suit your space, you're ready to consider the type of wood that you prefer for your butcher block top. Part of determining your wood type will be to consider its aesthetic appearance, as you'll likely want to select a standing butcher block that coordinates with your existing kitchen decor.

You'll also want to keep the durability of the wood in mind when making your selections. While butcher blocks do feature protective finishes to improve how well they hold up to daily use, purchasing a block made out of a stronger wood makes it less likely that you'll develop scratches from knife work or blemishes if an item is accidentally dropped on its surface. If you plan to use your standing butcher block with a cutting board, durability may not be as important in your decision. The most common types of wood used for standing butcher blocks are:

• Maple has a pale, golden color when unfinished. For many professional chefs, maple is the preferred butcher block material as it has a smooth surface and is the most durable of the hardwoods that are commonly used to produce blocks.



• Birch looks similar to maple but is considerably softer, making it more susceptible to damage. Since it is less durable, birch butcher blocks are often less expensive than maple butcher blocks in very similar styles.



• American red oak has a golden color with a slightly red tint. It is a durable surface, but is not as hard as maple and birch.



• Black walnut has a very attractive dark brown color that makes it stand apart from other butcher blocks. Black walnut is a relatively soft wood, however, so is not a common material for blocks.



• Cherry is known for its warm, red hue, which is very appealing. As cherry is one of the softest hardwoods, it is not as durable for use in butcher blocks and not often used unless you plan on using a cutting board on top of the surface.

Grain

Now that you have chosen the type of wood for your standing butcher block, you're ready to think about its grain. The grain refers to how the pieces of wood, or rails, are put together to form the block surface. There are three types of grains used for blocks:

• Edge grain butcher blocks have long, horizontal lines that travel the length of their surfaces. This grain is created by combining single rails side by side and then sanding to create a level surface.



• End grain butcher blocks are made by taking the ends of rails and arranging them beside and above one another in a checkerboard pattern. Each end may have a slightly different color, making end grain blocks more diverse across their surfaces; however, the grain is incredibly durable, making it preferred by many professional chefs.



• Blended butcher blocks feature rails laid side by side and end to end with noticeable seams that make the surface appear as a series of rectangles laid end to end. Although blended grains are just as durable as edge grains, they are not widely used for standing butcher blocks and are much more common for tabletops and counter tops.

Finish

The finish of your standing butcher block is the protective coating on its surface. After you have chosen your preferred grain, select your ideal finish to further narrow your search. The primary finishes are:

• Natural oil, which creates a "true" butcher block surface. With natural oil, you can chop, mince and cut directly on the butcher block with no cutting board. The block top is also easy to repair as its finish can be reapplied at home after sanding out scratches.
  
  Some home chefs shy away from natural oil, however, because it requires re-oiling or waxing every four weeks. You must also take special care when cleaning a natural oil butcher block to keep soap and water from lingering on its surface. The best care method is to scrape away solid food particles and then to wipe twice: once with a gentle dish soap and once with plain water. Next, pat the surface completely dry.



• Varnique finish is applied in the factory and does not need to be applied again. There is no monthly maintenance to complete with Varnique butcher blocks, and you can clean them the way you would any other surface in your kitchen. Generally, you should avoid harsh, abrasive cleaners, however.
  
  The downside to Varnique is that you must use a cutting board any time you use a knife on its surface. You can perform other tasks, like rolling dough, directly on the block. Also, Varnique counter tops are not as simple to repair yourself.

Bases

The final step to choosing the best standing butcher block for your kitchen is to select your base material. You'll have three primary choices.

• Natural wood that coordinates with your top for a unified, solid look./li>
  
  
• Painted wood that contrasts with your butcher block top and may coordinate with your cabinetry or introduce a new color to your kitchen.



• Stainless steel that coordinates with steel appliances and silver-tone cabinetry hardware. Typically, standing butcher blocks do not have entirely stainless steel bases, but may have metal accents, such as a shelf.