Butcher block counters are essentially one giant cutting board, and you can prepare your food right on the countertop. However, be aware that using your counters for everyday meal prep may shorten their lifespan, so you’ll have to weigh the convenience vs. the cost to potentially replace them sooner (via Taste of Home).
Moisture is a major enemy of butcher block counters. If you make the decision not to seal your butcher block counters with oil, you’ll have to be extra careful when splashing around the sink, as too much water can actually cause the wood to rot (via Basic Builders). Stains are also a risk for these countertops. Since wood is porous, as Taste of Home explains, you’ll need to be careful when handling a bubbling pot of marinara sauce, or pouring too enthusiastically from that bottle of Beaujolais.
You’ll also need to be mindful when installing them. Wood will swell or shrink slightly according to the seasons if you live in a place where it gets chilly in the winter and balmy in the summer (via Basic Builders), so a bit of wiggle room should be left for your counters to swell and shrink.
Finally, the maintenance. Butcher block counters do require some elbow grease in the form of oiling the surface on a regular basis, as Taste of Home recommends. However, this extra task in your chore list will help create a barrier against spills and moisture, according to Bob Vila.
