What is the best way to seal a butcherblock counter top?
by
Lydia D
+3
6 answers
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Some additional info, it is oak and won't be used for a cutting board.
Lydia D
on Oct 06, 2011
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If there is no food contact, I would recommend teak oil followed by finishing wax. If there is direct food contact, then you need to use a FDA APPROVED butcher block oil. you can find all this at home depot. it is a user friendly finish that is very easy to apply and easy to touch up if necessary.
Davin Enterprises
on Oct 07, 2011
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That's good advice from Davin. The food aspect is very important because there are some sealants that don't taste very good. Plus, they could be harmful.
Shane Tallant
on Oct 07, 2011
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I'm a little leary about using anything not food safe on wooden counters. Monthly, I wipe down with vinegar, apply 2/3 warmed mineral oil with1/3 bees wax melted together, sit overnight, wipe off excess with soft cloth. Prior to all, I might sand lightly with very fine sandpaper. I keep this mixture in a tiny crock pot so it's ready to go and replenish as needed. Ocasionally, I use same for other wood - salad bowls, small boards, etc. However, the teak oil with wax provides a nicer finish.
Landi
on Oct 07, 2011
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We did about 35-40 coats of an oil/beeswax mixture from Home Depot over the course of about a week. The first time I wiped up some spilled coffee the grain of the wood lifted. So now I have plain beeswax waiting to go on now but was wondering if anyone else had some pointers. I wonder if the teak oil would soak in at this point...Thanks for the pointers.
Lydia D
on Oct 07, 2011
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I have used a number of products over the years on various client's tops. The simplest is plain old mineral oil...( i use it on all of my natural cutting boards....its completely food safe as it can be consumed as a laxative...most "butcher block" products contain a bit of this. In many commercial applications surface finishes are used ( these are different than the penetrating oil type) These surface finishes can be polyurethanes, to lacquer . As far as "food safe" these meet the requirements when "fully cured". On some solid wood tables where a "low sheen" natural finish was spec'd I have used the "feed n wax" product from Howards...its a citrus oil and bees wax blend... http://www.howardproducts.com/feednwax.htm
KMS Woodworks
on Oct 07, 2011
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