A butchers block is one of the most useful pieces of furniture for your kitchen that you can buy. If you have room, you may want a large buchers block that is freestanding. If not, you may choose a countertop model. Either will offer many advantages over traditional cutting boards.
The best butchers blocks work surfaces 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.
Since maple does not absorb liquids, it is resistant to bacteria. Juices from meats do not penetrate the wood to harbor germs. It is important that you keep your buchers block wiped clean of any liquids and after every use.
Butchers block cutting 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 should be sanitized regularly. A solution of one tablespoon of bleach in a gallon of water will provide all the sanitization that is needed. Always sanitize between meats and vegetables. Wipe the board dry after each use to prevent bacteria from being absorbed into the wood.
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.
Author Resource:
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.
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