Butcher Block Countertops: My Experience

Thinking about butcher block countertops? They are becoming a popular trend in kitchens today. But what is it like to live (and cook!) with them? Here’s my experience with them after six months, from the initial maintenance to everyday use and care.
My husband and I bought our first house over six months ago, at the end of August, 2015. It was custom-built just two years earlier. One of my favorite features in the house was the butcher block countertops.
MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP


When we bought the house, it was obvious that the previous tenant hadn’t taken very good care of the countertops. There were many stains and burn marks from placing hot pots and pans on the counter.


Before moving in, we refinished the countertops. This is a very dusty project, so it’s best to do it before moving in if you are able to!
EVERYDAY USE AND CARE


We’ve had our house for a little over 6 months now and I am still loving the countertops! I am careful to avoid putting hot pots and pans directly on the counter, and I wipe up any drips or spills right away.
WOULD I DO IT AGAIN?


In a future home, would I install butcher block countertops? I definitely would! I love the look of the countertops, and after six months of use they have held up well and are easy to clean and care for. And you know I get a lot of use out of my kitchen as a food blogger!
Be sure to check out the full post for more information on how we refinished the countertops before moving in, as well as tips for upkeep and cleaning.
Jenna @ A Savory Feast
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  • Jan5129463 Jan5129463 on Mar 18, 2016
    I am 100% happy with our butcher block counter tops (purchased from Ikea). We sanded and oiled them really well when they were installed nearly four years ago and have done the same thing each year since. We don't "baby" them, I don't mind the odd stain because it adds character, careful with hot pans though and definitely no cutting on the counter top.
    • Jenna @ A Savory Feast Jenna @ A Savory Feast on Mar 18, 2016
      Thanks for letting me know your experience! I've wondered if I should refinish them again at some point, so it was great to hear you refinish yours every year.
  • Jan5129463 Jan5129463 on Mar 18, 2016
    It's worked very well for us. BTW we use the foodsafe oil from Ikea.....it's really good. I pour it on, spread it around with a brush and just leave it for a couple of hours. Then I wipe it down with paper towel and repeat the process with a little less oil the second time. Hope you like living in Sarasota....I used to have a house there and just loved it....in fact I still miss it even though I never actually lived there permanently.
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