It's not advised to put a hot pan on your butcher block countertops, but the same goes for any other kind of countertop. Despite common belief, butcher block countertops are actually more resistant to heat than granite, and hardwood surfaces take longer to burn or char than any other countertop material.
Placing hot pots and pans directly on the butcher block surface is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make. It is also one of the most problematic. The hot items can burn and even crack the wood, leaving permanent damage, in most cases.
Once sealed, wood countertops are sanitary for chopping meat, and hot pots and pans can easily be placed on the surface because wood countertops are heat-resistant.
Answer: As long as a Wolf cooking product is installed in an opening as suggested by Wolf, the countertop surrounding the cooking product can be of any material and thickness including but not limited to: Butcher block.
One of the most heat-resistant countertop materials available today is granite. This natural stone requires extremely high temperatures and high pressure to form. You can place pans straight of the stove or oven on a granite countertop, and you won't see any marks or stains on the surface.
Because they consist mainly of resin rather than stone, solid surface countertops are vulnerable to heat damage from hot pots or pans. It's always a good idea to put down a hot pad or another barrier on your countertop before placing a hot pan out to cool.
Can I set a hot pan down on my countertop? Granite – Yes. However, while brief encounters with a hot pan won't hurt your granite countertop, use of a trivet on a regular basis is recommended. Having this barrier between a hot pan and your countertop will help reduce weakening of sealants, staining, and cracking.
Scrub the countertop: Take a scrub brush or sponge and scrub the countertop with hot water and mild dish soap. Rinse with hot water: Run a clean dish cloth through hot water and rinse the countertop well. Sanitize with vinegar: Spray undiluted white vinegar onto the countertop, and let sit for a few minutes.
The warmth of a wood countertop adds tremendous character to a kitchen. And the kitchen will be quieter because dishes don't clatter on wood the way they do on most other surfaces. Another plus: You can cut directly on a butcher block countertop, as long as the wood hasn't been varnished (think wood cutting boards).
You can expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $100 per square foot or $3,500 on average for materials and installation of your wood butcher block countertop. Materials alone usually run around $20 to $70 per square foot. Butcher block countertops can cost between $2,000 and $5,000 for a 50-square- foot kitchen.
Over time, butcher-block countertops can lose their luster and look dull and dry. Give them a refresh with food-safe mineral oil or butcher-block conditioner (available at home improvement stores). Don't use a food oil, like olive or vegetable oil, which will oxidize on the surface and start to smell.
Because wood is porous, butcher block countertops can hold onto a lot more germs than other surfaces—though countertops are always dirtier than we'd like to admit. To combat dirt, grime and germs, make sure you clean the counter after every use with mild soap and water or vinegar (psst…
Basically, what happens is this: When a hot object is placed on the surface of the wood, its pores expand (yes, even if it's sealed!), allowing the moisture created by heat and steam to steep into the surface and settle in the wood, leaving behind discoloration and white heat marks.
Any finish is safe to use on a butcher-block table or countertop that will not be used as a cutting surface. If the surface won't be cut on, the answer is simple: Any film-forming finish you would normally choose for durability and appearance will be just fine (Photo 1).
The only countertop that can actually be used as a cutting surface, butcher-block won't dull your knives like stone or concrete counters. The soft surface also makes for a quieter kitchen. And for those who are a bit clumsier, dishes are less likely to shatter when dropped on wood versus stone.
Sealing Butcher Block Countertops with Mineral Oil
To seal butcher block with mineral oil, you simply apply the mineral oil generously, let it soak in, and wipe off the excess. You need to do it fairly regularly at first but then only about once a month after you've gotten through several applications.
Butcher block can be made from nearly any wood. Maple is one of the best and most popular for butcher block counters because it's hard and has a clear grain. Cherry and red oak offer rich color.
There are two types of sealants to use on butcher block countertops: oil and film finish. And, there are two types of oil sealants: evaporating and polymerizing. The best option for your kitchen depends on what you intend to do on the surface.
CON: It's ultra-sensitive to liquid.
To counteract these unwanted effects, you'll need to seal your butcher block countertops immediately following installation and on a monthly basis afterward—one bit of maintenance more than non-porous countertop made of glass, stainless steel, quartz, or ceramic tile take.
Disinfecting. To disinfect your Traditions butcher block after cleaning use Lysol® or Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes. These wipes are available at Lowe's, and report to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria when used as directed.
Bleach: Bleach should be used as a last resort as it may discolor the wood and the smell may linger for days. If you must use bleach, create a solution using equal parts bleach and water and apply to your butcher block using a damp sponge or rag.
1) Solid Surface Countertops
Can solid surface countertops withstand heat? As a matter of fact, they can! In addition to heat, the non-porous, seamless material is resistant to moisture, scratching, dents, and fading. If you're interested in solid surface counters for your kitchen, another option is acrylic.
Homeowners don't need to worry about damaging their countertops with everyday use because granite is quite heat resistant. Placing a hot pan on a well-maintained granite slab will not cause it to crack or weaken. Just remember that repeatedly placing a very hot pan on the same spot may cause granite to discolor.
Instead of putting hot items directly on your wood or laminate countertops, use heat-safe objects to protect the countertop surface and avoid heat damage – a simple heat pad or trivet made of cork, bamboo, silicone, or ceramic, for example, will do the job nicely.