How to finish butcher block counters

Lou
by Lou
We are buying a house that has butcher block counter and the edges are very sharp. Also, should I seal them?
  9 answers
  • Holly Tompkins Holly Tompkins on Feb 15, 2016
    Yes! We have butcher block counters and they MUST be sealed or they will get ruined! You can use waterlox or tung oil. Most people use waterlox, we used Tung oil instead because I was pregnant when we installed ours and waterlox contains resin. you will love them though!
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Feb 15, 2016
    food grade mineral-walnut-or tungoil. Butcher block or bees wax.
  • Jan Jan on Feb 15, 2016
    You can sand down the sharp edges before you seal the wood.
  • Enor Martinez Enor Martinez on Feb 15, 2016
    When I went to buy Butcher Block seal at ACE Hardware, I was told all I need is Mineral Oil. I used it and I am very satisfied with the results.
  • LD LD on Feb 16, 2016
    To soften the edges you can either use a router or a ultra fine sanding block at an angle. The included link is for sealing your butcher block countertop with mineral oil, which enables you to use them for food prep, or you can stain if you want a different finish color, and then sealed we polyurethane or lacquer. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DUv8y8nLg74
  • Lou Lou on Feb 16, 2016
    Thank you Linda, the video is helpful
  • Kayte Kayte on Feb 16, 2016
    If you'd like a longer lasting product on your counters than mineral or tung oil, check out OSMO Top Oil. I used it on my wood counters and am sooo glad I did. It's safe, dries/hardens completely (unlike tung oil or mineral oil.) I've had it on my counters for a year (including around the sink where I splash water a lot) and they're fine... still repelling the water and show no signs of surface damage. It's super easy to put on, too. From the looks of it, I don't need to reapply it, but may go ahead and put another coat on it around the sink... just because. It'll only take a few minutes. It's also really easy to take care of any scratches or stains. Just sand the spot and reapply the osmo to that area. That's why I would never use a poly finish. You have to sand the entire counter down and start over. Besides, the natural wood finish is so much prettier, in my opinion. The mistake we made was not putting the oil on the bottom of the counters. Wood really needs complete protection (top and bottom) just from the changing humidity in the air. Oh well! As for the sharp edge on yours, I would definitely sand it down to round it a little. I think you'd be happier with it over the long haul.
    • See 1 previous
    • Kayte Kayte on Mar 10, 2016
      @Janet Pizaro - I'm sorry @Janet - I just saw your question! OSMO is rated food safe in Germany where it is made. They haven't submitted it to the FDA in the U.S. for a rating because it's so darn expensive. But, reading the ingredient list of what's in it, I don't see any issues anyway, unless you have an allergy to one of them. (Like people that are allergic to bee stings really shouldn't use bees wax.) I like the ingredients in osmo far better than those in poly finishes. (Those are only food safe after they have cured.) Hope that helps. :)
  • Leslie Lazzarini Leslie Lazzarini on Feb 17, 2016
    I also went to Ace for the kitchen island top that can be used for cutting board. I bought the food safe oil instead. I may just wipe that down with the rag (I keep in a baggy with the oil) about once a month or whenever company is coming, haha! I have a pic of the on I used on my post titled "A Little and Thrifty Kitchen Island on Wheels" here on Hometalk.
  • Lou Lou on Feb 17, 2016
    Good idea, thanks