If you plan to prep food on your butcher block countertops, look for a food-safe sealer. Using a foam brush, apply sealer over wood surfaces and let dry. Repeat for a final coat. If you used mineral oil to stain your butcher block, then you won't need to seal the wood.
One of the most effective butcher block sealers available on the market is Waterlox®. Waterlox® is a high-grade Tung oil and resin blend with a water-resistant finish that we've been recommending to our customers for years.
The best sealer for butcher block countertops is either polyurethane or oil. Polyurethane's hard shell repels water, and it is as close as you can get to duplicating the surface of solid surface or quartz countertop materials. Mineral or tung oil soak into the wood, rather than sitting on top.
Clean Daily
Use a combination of warm water and gentle dish soap to slow the buildup of grime. Scrub against the wood grain for a deep clean, and rinse the countertop with a clean, wet washcloth or sponge. Be careful never to saturate the butcher block with water and dry thoroughly with a soft dish towel.
Sanding the butcher block properly before application is very important. You need to sand the entire surface evenly to 100-150 grit.
Once you've achieved your desired stain color, and the last coat has dried for at least 8 hours, it's time to seal the butcher block.
Because of its versatility, walnut wood countertops are perfect for modern, traditional, classic, and Scandinavian style kitchens alike. Walnut butcher block can transform your kitchen into a work of art and raise the value of your kitchen if you plan to sell your home in the future.
Walnut Wood Works was an excellent choice for my butcher block island top for my kitchen remodel. Really exceeded our expectations! I would highly recommend Walnut Wood Works to anyone looking for a high quality custom wood creation!
If your butcher block countertop arrived unfinished, you will need to apply a finish to all faces of the top. See detailed instructions here. Do not install your butcher block countertop directly on a solid surface such as plywood, MDF, etc.
Sealing butcher block countertops will keep them strong and resilient for decades. While this can take weeks or even months to get going, you only need to seal them every six months. If you choose not to seal butcher block countertops, you will significantly reduce their life span.
While butcher block countertops do require routine maintenance, resealing the surface is only required after every 6-12 months depending on the level of use.
To protect your cutting board, you have to apply oil to seal the surface of the hardwood. Squeeze a liberal amount of butcher block wood oil or food-grade mineral oil onto a cloth rag. Apply the oil to all sides of the wood by rubbing thoroughly. Reapply until the wood stops absorbing the oil.
For the sealer coats, we used Waterlox Original Sealer/Finish (it came with the countertops). We applied it with a paint pad (shown in the center, picked up at Home Depot) and then buffed it into the grain with an old, clean t-shirt.
Paraffin wax, available in the canning section of your grocery store, is a great sealer for end grain cutting boards. While boiled linseed oil will cure to a solid, it would take many applications and a lot of drying time to seal the end grain enough to keep food juices from seeping in.
Use oils or varnish
Adding a layer of oil or varnish to the countertop is a must to repel water, resist stains, guard against scratches and cracking, and prevent the wood from drying up, according to The Clever Homeowner. The seal also wards off mold and bacteria, adding to wood's natural antibacterial properties.
If you intend to cut meat and vegetables on the butcher block, then it's important to use food-safe finishes. Use a butcher block oil that is labeled as food safe. Flood the surface with oil on both faces. Wipe away the excess oil.
Pros: Walnut is a very strong and stable wood that can take intricate carving. The color can be beautiful. Cons: Some may not like the variation from dark to light that's sometimes found on a single wide board. Walnut is also one of the more costly woods.
Following are the reasons why Walnut wood is expensive.
The tree takes around 50 years to mature, it is longer than most other trees. It is in high demand due to its desired characteristics such as durability, strength or aesthetic making it one of the best wood species around.
Be sure you are ready to finish your butcher block within 48 hours of removing the shrink wrap. Why you ask??? Unfinished wood likes to adapt to its environment. This means if you're in a humid climate, the wood will absorb moisture causing it to swell and potentially crack or warp.
One to two coats (depending upon the hardness of the wood) are required for adequate film build. Required first coat of the system. This innovative high-solids, VOC compliant, color-infused Tung Oil-based sealer and stain seals the wood which minimizes grain raise.
Finish Your Butcher Block Countertops
Seal or stain all bare wood before installation, including the underside (Side B). For a food-safe, waterproof countertop, use a blended tung oil finish.