Countertops you can chop on.

Nov 1

Butcher block countertops come in several different orientations, species and sizes to fit your kitchen needs. You can choose between Flat Grain, Edge Grain and End Grain. While Flat Grain is the most popular and cost effective option, it’s not the best if you dream of chopping vegetables for family meals directly on your countertop. For a chopping surface you can count on, you need Edge Grain or End Grain.

How to decide between the two? While there is a price difference due to the labor intensity of both options, the majority of the decision will come down to cosmetic preference. If you are okay with the knife marks on your countertop and want something thicker, the Edge Grain may your best option. It also happens to be the less expensive option of the two, but still more than Flat Grain.

End Grain surface has more healing properties against the knife marks and won’t showcase the use as much as Edge Grain. Depending on preference, this option does have a lot more visual interest by showing off the ring marks of the tree and checkerboard appearance.

In addition to the orientation, the species of wood you choose also plays a huge factor into having a chopping surface you can count on. The two woods we recommend for the job are White Oak and Black Walnut. Both classic and beautiful options!

Black Walnut

White Oak

Before we get started with the inspirational photos, we want to start with the finish you use to keep your countertops and food safe with the ongoing chopping. Our two favorite options for chopping surfaces is Osmo and Water’s Edge Board Butter, which we make in-house. Both of these finish options are unlike our Flat Grain finish and will require maintenance.

The Osmo Finish is: non-petroleum based oil finish. Whereas the Board Butter is MCT Oil and Beeswax blended together to nourish your wood and the wax will protect against the surface. Both are great options and not one-time decisions. As you continue to use your surface, you are free to try different sealants to protect your wood.

Ready to get inspired? Let’s begin.

Go big or go home! This client made his entire kitchen a chopping surface.

Walnut Edge GrainBuilder: Strategic Development — Walnut Edge Grain
Builder: Strategic Development

But maybe you don’t want the entire kitchen open for food prep and you would prefer to keep it all centralized where everyone gathers. Here are a few kitchen islands where you can take a break from standing and rest while you are busy food prepping.

Walnut Edge GrainSource: Style at Home — Walnut Edge Grain
Source: Style at Home

Walnut Edge GrainSource: Park and Oak — Walnut Edge Grain
Source: Park and Oak

Walnut End GrainSource: Vogue — Walnut End Grain
Source: Vogue

White Oak Edge GrainSource: Decor Pad — White Oak Edge Grain
Source: Decor Pad

White Oak End GrainSource: The Grit and Polish — White Oak End Grain
Source: The Grit and Polish

Walnut Edge GrainSource: French Country — Walnut Edge Grain
Source: French Country

What’s not to love about a food prep station? If you are a foodie and designing a kitchen that you can feast your eyes on, we love how form meets function with a thick butcher block prep station.