Reveal the natural beauty of butcher block with time-tested techniques
Finished butcher block countertops add warmth and character to the kitchen. However, finishing can make or break the final look and life span of a countertop. Different finishing methods give the countertop various qualities, colors, and characteristics. Roll up your sleeves, and get the details on how to finish a butcher block countertop and create a durable addition to your kitchen.
Butcher block countertops are common in professional kitchens because they offer a large food-safe prep area. But they need the right finish to be food-safe and require more maintenance than other countertop materials. However, even when you can’t directly prep on a butcher block surface, wood brings depth to one of the most used rooms in the home.
Serious home chefs choose butcher block countertops for the extra food prep and cutting surface, while those who cook less often may want to add natural elements to the kitchen. While this countertop material requires regular maintenance, you can refinish it as needed, giving the countertop the potential to last for years.
Butcher block countertops cost between $1,000 and $7,000 per 100 square foot, including extra material for future repairs and delivery. The price variation comes down to the square footage of the countertops and the type of wood used. For example, American walnut is one of the more expensive woods, costing between $750 and $1,200 for an 8-square-foot piece, while a piece of maple of the same size averages $250 to $450.
The most basic preparation before the finishing process is cleaning and removing stains from the butcher block. If you’re working with a new countertop, you may only need to wipe down the wood with a clean tack cloth. However, a used countertop takes a bit more work.
First, use a plastic scraper to remove dried food particles. For light-colored stains, sprinkle salt on the stain and apply enough lemon juice to create a paste. You can use the cut side of the lemon, a stiff brush, or a scouring pad to scrub the stain. Let the paste dry overnight. Use warm water or a wet cloth to remove the surface salt in the morning.
Dark-colored stains may require more than lemon juice and salt. Mix 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with 1 cup of warm water. Moisten a clean cloth in the solution and dab it on the stain. Then, wet another clean cloth with white vinegar and dab it over the top of the stain. Rinse with warm water or a clean, dampened cloth. Pat the surface with paper towels, and let the butcher block dry overnight.
Before moving on to applying your finish, remember to wear rubber gloves when applying oils and finishes. Keep your work area well-ventilated, and wear protective eye gear and a dust mask if you’re sanding.
There are several ways to finish a butcher block countertop. Your choice of finish will depend on how you want to use the countertop.
As mentioned above, one of the pros of butcher block countertops is the option to prep food directly on the countertop’s surface, including using the countertop as a cutting board. To do so, you need to use a food-safe finish. Food-safe finishes include evaporating oils, like mineral and tung oil, and polymerizing oils, like walnut and linseed.
You can also find products that combine these oils with a wood conditioner, such as beeswax or carnauba oil, to seal cracks and scratches. Conditioners also season the wood to prevent drying and cracking.
These finishes and conditioners do not release toxins into food, though some, like walnut oil, can influence flavor. Mineral oil is one of the most popular options because it’s food-safe and doesn’t affect the flavor of food. However, you have to reapply food-safe finishes as often as every week to every month, depending on use and climate.
If you plan to use cutting boards and plates for food prep, you can opt for a water- or oil-based finish, like polyurethane or colored stains. These finishes require more initial work to apply, but they’re generally easier to maintain. Though they’re not food-safe, they protect the wood from nicks, cuts, and stains better than food-safe finishes. Plus, you don’t have to reapply these types of finishes very often, if at all.
All you need for this process are a clean cloth and mineral oil or a similar evaporating oil, like tung oil.
Pour a small amount of mineral oil onto one area of the butcher block.
Use a clean cloth to rub the mineral oil into the surface.
Continue to pour mineral oil on different areas of the butcher block until you’ve covered the entire surface, including the sides and ends.
Wipe off any excess with the cloth.
Let the oil soak into the wood for 30 to 60 minutes.
Apply a second coat the same way as the first coat, wiping off any excess after you’ve covered the entire surface.
Let the second coat dry for 30 to 60 minutes.
Continue to apply coats until the wood will no longer absorb the oil.
You’ll need to reapply mineral oil about once a week for the first month or two, followed by monthly application after that. As the wood ages, you’ll be able to reapply mineral oil less often, and the wood will maintain its condition and appearance.
Evaporating oils don’t all behave the same, even if the application is similar. Some need more or less frequent reapplication, and others may soak into objects left on the countertop (you might end up with some greasy paper).
As mentioned above, many products combine an evaporating oil with a conditioner, such as beeswax. The typical application works as follows, but check the manufacturer’s instructions:
Apply the product to a small area of the butcher block countertop.
Use a clean cloth to rub the product into the wood’s surface.
Continue to apply in sections until you’ve covered the entire countertop, including the sides and ends.
Wipe off any excess conditioner.
Let the conditioner rest for at least one hour, ideally overnight.
Reapply three to four coats if you have never conditioned it.
You may find some variation in drying times and cleaning tips for your specific product. For example, some manufacturers recommend using mineral spirits to clean the countertop after the product has rested for several days to remove any remaining excess oil.
Polymerizing oils dry and bond to the wood, filling and sealing pores in the process. Consequently, they don’t require as many or as frequent applications as evaporating oils. Walnut and linseed oils are the most frequently used. Here is the general application process:
Pour a small amount of oil onto the butcher block.
Rub in the oil with a clean cloth.
Continue to apply in small areas until you’ve covered the entire countertop, including the ends and sides.
After applying, let the oil absorb into the wood for 15 minutes.
Buff the surface of the butcher block using a clean cloth.
Let the oil dry for 24 hours.
Reapply two more coats using the same steps.
Stains and sealants are generally not food-safe. However, there are a few combination products that blend food-safe oils with stain. If you’re set on a stain but want to use the countertop for food prep, look for one of these combination products.
Refrain from using all other staining products if you don’t plan to do food prep on the countertop. Wear personal protective equipment, and make sure the area is well-ventilated.
Sand the butcher block manually or use an orbital sander with 180-grit sandpaper. Sand with the grain, and make sure to sand the sides and ends.
Sand the entire countertop again using finer grit sandpaper, like 180- to 220-grit. You can stop at about 220- to 300-grit sandpaper.
If your sander doesn’t have a dust collector, use a utility vacuum to remove dust.
Use a slightly dampened cloth to remove any remaining dust. You want to make sure the surface is as dust-free as possible.
Let the butcher block dry completely.
Use a paintbrush, foam brush, or lint-free cloth to apply the stain, moving with the grain of the wood. Dip your chosen applicator into the stain or pour the stain into a paint pan for dipping.
Apply with the grain and overlap slightly with each stroke.
Remove excess stain with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Let the stain dry for as long as the manufacturer recommends.
Apply as many coats as you need to achieve the look you want. However, let the stain dry in between coats.
Water- or oil-based polyurethane is the most common way to seal this type of countertop. Water-based polyurethane dries quickly, has less odor, and offers easy cleanup. Meanwhile, oil-based polyurethane gives off an odor (requiring ventilation) and takes longer to dry. However, it tends to have better durability.
Applying a sealer to porous counters helps prevent damage like stains, watermarks, and etching. Natural stones, like granite, marble, and sandstone, and concrete and wood counters require regular sealing. Your countertop installer can tell you how often to seal your counters for the best results.
Manually sand or use an orbital sander with 180-grit sandpaper to sand the entire countertop, including sides and ends. Sand with the grain until you’ve sanded the entire surface.
Progressively use finer grit sandpaper over the entire butcher block until you’ve used 220- to 300-grit sandpaper.
If your sander doesn’t have a dust collector, use a utility vacuum to remove dust.
Put a little paint thinner or turpentine on a clean cloth and wipe down the surface of the wood to thoroughly clean the countertop before application.
Mix the polyurethane with a stir stick, moving slowly and methodically to prevent bubbles.
You can pour the sealer into a paint pan or mixing cup and use a paintbrush to paint the butcher block, slightly overlapping with each stroke. Once you’ve covered an area, try not to go over it again to prevent streak marks.
Let the sealer dry for 24 hours.
Gently sand the surface using 120- to 200-grit sandpaper (manually or with an orbital or belt sander).
Use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe off dust.
Apply the second coat or sealer as you did the first.
Repeat the process of sanding, cleaning, and applying the sealer until you’ve applied at least three coats.
Let the sealant cure for one to two days. Do not use the countertop during this time. After that, you can lightly use the countertop. Wait at least seven days before you start regular use.
Care and maintenance of a butcher block countertop depends on the finish used. Evaporating oils, polymerizing oils, and conditioners will need to be applied regularly. At first, that may be every week. Gradually, as the wood becomes saturated with the oil, you can apply the oil and conditioner about once a month.
If food gets stuck on the countertop, opt for a plastic scrubbing sponge or nylon scraper to remove dried-on food. Avoid metal tools as they’re more likely to damage the wood.
Clean food off the wood surface as soon as possible to avoid stains (especially red pasta sauces or tomato sauce). Use the lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide methods (mentioned in the preparation process) to clean stains from your counter.
You can also use white vinegar to sanitize the countertop without damaging the wood. If you use a commercial finish, stain, or sealer, check the manufacturer’s suggested cleaning instructions.
Most beginners can handle applying mineral oil or beeswax, and even applying a polyurethane finish is pretty beginner-friendly. However, you might want to contact a local countertop contractor if you also need countertop installation. Butcher block countertops are heavy and awkward to move. They can get scraped or damaged if you’re a first-timer at this kind of project. The average butcher block countertop, along with materials and installation, costs around $3,500.
Sealing butcher block countertops prevents the wood from absorbing water and other liquids. Even if you clean liquids immediately, they can easily stain the surface—and if the wood absorbs too much water, it can swell and warp. There’s also a risk of the wood drying out, splitting, and cracking.
Mineral oil, tung oil, and other natural oils don’t technically seal the butcher block. However, they do help it resist damage from liquids and acids.
You don’t have to sand a butcher block countertop unless you’re refinishing it. A new countertop may come sanded when it arrives, but if not, you would need to sand it before applying a finish. These countertops are like hardwood floors in that if they get damaged, you can sand off a thin layer from the top to reveal beautiful wood underneath.
The type of finish determines how often a butcher block needs to be sealed. One that’s sealed with mineral oil may need a reapplication every week or month, depending on the age of the countertop, use, and climate. Conditioners also require reapplication monthly to keep the wood from drying and cracking. Those sealed with oil-based polyurethane don’t need resealing unless you completely remove the finish.
