How to Refinish an Antique Butcher Block

A butcher block is a series of vertical pieces of hardwood glued together to create a thick plank for chopping. The butcher block is great for cutting meat or preparing vegetables, but wear and improper maintenance can take their toll. Refinishing a butcher block requires no special tools and can give new life to antique kitchen hardware. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Process

1

Sand the surface of the butcher block with sandpaper of varying grits to remove varnish, polyurethane, surface scratches and nicks. Begin with rough sandpaper such as 80-grit and work up to a 400-grit paper. The number of times you sand depends on the amount of surface damage as well as the smoothness desired.

2

Wipe away sanding dust with a wet, clean cloth and allow the block to dry completely. Use only water at this stage to remove dust and ensure that you have an evenly sanded surface. Rinse the cloth between wipes to remove debris.

3

Apply mineral oil to the surface of the block using a clean cotton cloth. Rub it into the wood and continue to do so until the wood stops absorbing the oil. Be sure to purchase food-grade mineral oil. It may take as many as 10 treatments to achieve the desired coating.

4

Remove any excess oil with another cotton cloth. After the wood has become saturated, the excess oil will lie on the surface and can affect the taste of food prepared on the board.

5

Consider applying a thin coat of beeswax after the mineral oil to block moisture and bacteria from entering the wood. Beeswax is a natural, non-toxic way of making the top of the butcher block waterproof. It can be applied with a soft cotton cloth and then gently rubbed across the surface. Beeswax is available online or in health food stores.

6

Maintain the surface of the block by applying mineral oil at least twice a month. For blocks used on a daily basis, wipe with linseed oil every night.