Beauty And Function, Butcher’s Block Work Surfaces

A butchers block was used originally in the butcher’s shop. It was designed especially for cutting meat. The block is made of wood pieces which have been stuck together. The wood most commonly used for butcher’s block is sugar maple. The best butcher block is invariably made from hard woods.

There are two types of butcher’s block, one made when the wood grain is perpendicular to the top of the block called end grain butcher block and another made when the grain of the wood is parallel to the surface of the block called edge grain butcher’s block.

End grain butcher’s block is the preferable style of butchers block as it helps to keep cutting tools sharper. With most end grain butchers block being over four inches in thickness, eng grain butchers blocks are very tough and durable. Even repeated blows by large meat cleavers do not harm these blocks. On occasion, the surface may need to be re-planed and re oiled, but this does not remove any appreciable amount of the total thickness of the block. This invariably makes the best chopping board.

Edge grain butcher blocks use rails that are full length, although at times there may be jointed construction. Although these blocks are also durable, they are not as durable as blocks made with the end grain surface.

Until about one hundred thirty years ago, butcher’s would use a cross section of a tree, called a tree round, which was set on legs. With repeated use, the rounds would crack and split allowing meat particles to collect in the tree round. This became a breeding ground for bacteria and was not sanitary. butcher blocks are unlikely to crack and maple is durable so that it is long lasting without dulling knife blades. Even in the age of awareness of germs, the butcher block is considered sanitary.