How to Dull Butcher Block Countertops
A butcher block in a residential kitchen is not just a beautiful way to accent your kitchen. It is also can be very functional, as it eliminates the need of using cutting boards. To get your butcher block ready for cutting, it will need to be prepped through the dulling process.
Items you’ll need:
- Orbital sander
- Sandpaper
- Masking tape
- Rags
- Food-grade mineral oil
- Mark the area that you would like to dull. The easiest way to do this is to mark it with masking tape. Make sure to choose an area that will be easily accessible for cutting. Also, make sure that the area is not two big. A two foot by two foot square is an appropriate size, unless you deal with items that are bigger than that.
- Place the sandpaper on your orbital sander. A smooth sandpaper will work best. You are not trying to rough up the wood; you are only trying to strip off the polyurethane coating that seals the butcher block. Turn on the sander and give the counter a gentle sanding.
- Wipe off the countertop with a wet rag. If the coating has been stripped, you can proceed. If it hasn’t, then you will need to repeat the process until you can see that it has been properly dulled.
- Wipe the dulled area down with a food grade mineral-oil. This will seal the wood while still giving it the rough texture needed for proper cutting. Don’t forget to re-apply the mineral oil every few months to keep the wood like new.