How to Clean and Season a Butcher Block

Butcher block is unvarnished wood that should remain clean and sanitary, as well as properly seasoned to retain its integrity. Because raw wood is porous, it can easily become contaminated with dirt and germs. And because wood warps and cracks when soaked and then dried, butcher blocks must be seasoned to prevent this from happening. Here are easy and simple ways to sanitize and season a butcher block.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mineral oil
• Rag
• Hand towel
• Bleach solution
• Scrub brush
• Salt and lemon
• Vinegar
• Scraper
• Sandpaper

1. Season the block before first use. As soon as you take home a newly purchased butcher block, season the wood with mineral oil. Heat a small amount of mineral oil on the stove. Dip a small rag into the oil and wipe the oil on the butcher block following the direction of the wood grain. Let the wood absorb the oil for about five hours, then wipe off the excess oil with a clean towel. Repeat.

2. Clean the block after each use. Prepare a solution of 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water. Use a scrub brush dipped in the bleach solution to remove dirt and grime from the butcher block. Immediately wipe the surface dry with a clean towel so that the block does not soak. Repeat to ensure that the entire block has been sanitized.

3. Use salt and lemon instead of bleach. A greener alternative to bleach is a paste of lemon juice and salt. Lemon also removes stains and odors. Use a brush or stiff sponge to scrub the salt and lemon paste on the butcher block. Rinse with a damp towel, then wipe dry.

4. Use vinegar instead of bleach. Also, a green alternative to bleach is white vinegar. The disinfecting properties of vinegar will help sanitize the butcher block's surface as well as remove odors. Rinse with a damp towel, then wipe dry.

5. Remove oily residue with a scraper or sandpaper. If the surface of the butcher block is covered with an oily or sticky residue, use a scraper, putty knife or an old kitchen knife to scrape the film off. If necessary, use sandpaper to return the wood to its bare state.

6. Season the butcher block regularly. Treating the wood monthly will keep it in good condition.

Tips & Warnings

• Mineral oil is the preferred seasoning agent for butcher blocks because it doesn't turn rancid.
• Hydrogen peroxide (3 percent solution) is also a well-known, green and equally effective alternative to bleach.
• Never use kitchen-cleaning chemicals to sanitize a butcher block. The porous state of the butcher block will retain toxic elements that can contaminate the food.
• Never use varnished or treated wood as a butcher block. The toxic chemicals will transfer to the food that comes in contact with it.

Resources

• ButcherBlock.com

[elkim]

on 11/2/2009 This is good advice, but it does take effort to keep those things sanitary! That's why I just eat less meat ;)

[useit2x]

on 10/16/2009 Check out www.solumreclaimed.com to see some pictures of end grain wood block countertops.