Design
Hardwood Lumber Company offers a large selection butcher block countertop and wide plank countertop finishing options including, acrylic polyurethane, mineral oil, polyester (full fill), poured epoxy, rubio monocoat, salad bowl finish, and unfinished. We also offer a large variety of edge detail options to compliment your own unique design.
Finishing your Wood Countertop
If your butcher block or wide plank top is prefinished with mineral oil, or salad bowl finish please follow the installation instructions, oiled butcher block tops re-season instructions and cleaning tips below.
If your butcher block or wide plank top is prefinished with acrylic polyurethane, polyester (full fill), or poured epoxy please follow the installation instructions and varnished butcher block tops cleaning tips below.
It is important to finish and install unfinished butcher blocks and wide plank tops within one week after receiving to prevent any warping, bowing, or cracking. In drier climates, you should begin finishing immediately after receiving your butcher block or wide plank top. Run your hand over the good side, edges and corners to see if there are any rough spots. Sand with a 150 or 180 grit sandpaper and clean with a tack cloth.
Food prep, chopping and finishing instructions
If you plan on using an unfinished butcher block or wide plank top for a food preparation chopping surface, you will need to apply a generous amount Butcher Block Oil or one of our other food safe finishes to all surfaces, top, bottom and all four sides. Allow the oil to absorb into the wood for 2-4 hours, then wipe off excess oil with a paper towel or clean cloth. If the grain raises slightly after the first oiling, sand the surface lightly with 150 or 180 grit sandpaper and wipe down with a damp cloth, then apply another coat of butcher block oil. A new unfinished butcher block or wide plank top should have at least two coats of butcher block oil before being used. Please check out our other food safe finish options for your unfinished wood countertop.
Non-food prep finishing instructions
You will need to finish all surfaces (top, bottom and sides) of your unfinished butcher block or wide plank top with a commercial grade polyurethane or Waterlox finish. Follow manufacturer's instructions on the polyurethane or Waterlox for finishing coats (usually three or four coats).
Re-season instructions for oiled butcher blocks and wide plank tops
Hardwood Lumber Co. Butcher Block Oil or Butcher Block Conditioner should be re-applied as needed to reseal the pores and keep butcher blocks and wide plank tops conditioned (approximately twice a month, maybe more; it just depends on the environment and use it gets). Do not let the butcher block or wide plank tops dry out. Mineral oil finish and salad bowl finish are not waterproof. Any countertop with a sink and mineral oil finish or salad bowl finish will not be covered under warranty.
Rubio Monocoat Finish
The Rubio Monocoat Finish is food safe and safe to cut on. Rubio Monocoat Finish can last a lifetime if maintained properly. We recommend using Rubio Monocoat's Surface Spray to clean a countertop with Rubio Monocoat Finish. Renew should be used to maintain the surface if the countertop feels too rough or dry. If the countertop gets really heavy use and ends up needing another coat of finish you will want to use the Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C.
Installation Instructions
It is important to install all wood countertops within one week after receiving to prevent any warping or bowing. All four corners, and then every 18" to 24" (on larger tops) of the butcher block and wide plank tops must be screwed down securely to keep the corners from bowing. This is especially important in climates that experience changes in humidity. You can screw right to your cabinet, or use "L" brackets. Pre-drill the screw holes and use a 1" to 1-1/4" wood screw on 1- 1/2" thick tops (at least 1" of screw should go into the butcher block or wide plank top). Do not glue your butcher block or wide plank top down – this will void the warranty of butcher blocks or wide plank tops.
An overhang of 8" to 10" would not need any additional support. An overhang exceeding 10" would require additional support, such as decorative "L" brackets, legs or skirt board. Make sure to use a bracket that includes an angle to keep the Countertop from being able to lift the bracket. We do not recommend using a flat "L" bracket. Tabletops will need skirtboards all the way around or additional support that would cover up to 8" of an overhang.
Cleaning Tips
Poured Epoxy Countertops
We recommend using glass cleaners for any Countertop with Poured Epoxy Finish.
Varnished Butcher Block Tops
Cleaning can be done with soap and water or with white vinegar and water (one cup of vinegar to one gallon of water). White vinegar is a good antibacterial cleaning agent. Butcher blocks and wide plank tops can be polished with a furniture polish if desired.
Oiled Butcher Block Tops
For fruits and vegetables, a damp cloth can be used before and after food preparation. For meat, fish or dairy products, a damp cloth with water can be used before food preparation. When food preparation is completed, clean the butcher block with soap and water or full strength white vinegar. The acetic acid in the vinegar is a good disinfectant, effective against such harmful bugs as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus. 3% Hydrogen peroxide is also a good bacteria-killer.
You may need to re-season your butcher block or wide plank top after cleaning. Allow the cutting surface to dry completely before attempting to re-season with oil or conditioner.
Lemon or lime juice with salt will help remove odors if you've been working with onions, garlic, or other strong scented foods. Sprinkle your cutting surface with salt. Cut a lemon or lime into quarters and use these quarters to rub the salt into the cutting surface. Let sit for 2-3 minutes and then wipe the cutting surface clean with a damp cloth. Baking soda may also help remove odors.
