kitchen butcher blocks

Kitchen Butcher Blocks - Hard To Imagine A Kitchen Without One

Kitchen butcher blocks are so common in modern kitchens it's almost hard to imagine a kitchen without one.

Made of chunks of Hardrock Maple, usually, they are laminated edge or end grain to prevent cracking and warping and to provide a nearly indestructible cutting surface that's easy on cutlery and won't be damaged by cooking utensils.

Today, a kitchen butcher block can be purchased in various thicknesses and in a multitude of shapes for use anywhere.

They often have rubber grommets underneath to protect countertops. But just as often, a butcher block may be the entire countertop or the top on an island or cart.

Still A Versatile And Attractive Solution

Butcher blocks were developed in the late 19th century to deal with problems of sanitation, warping, and cracking experienced in the meat-cutting industry.

They're still used commercially, but home cooks often find them to be essential in cooking and food preparation.

It doesn't hurt that the different hues of the wood add a gorgeous and traditional appearance to the various kitchen designs in which they're used particularly on kitchen islands and carts.

Butcher block is commonly used as a work surface on kitchen islands and carts, as well as on countertops in end-grain lengths.

Many islands combine stainless steel or stone tops - granite or marble, with drop-leaf or inserted butcher block cutting surfaces of Maple wood, the ideas being that while the butcher block is easy on cutlery, the steel or stone tops are best for working with dough and other cooking ingredients.

Carts are often fitted with butcher block tops so they can double as a work and storage area while cooking but can be moved to other rooms in the home when guests migrate or out to the deck or patio for a family barbecue.

They're very versatile for serving, to act as a cutting surface for meats, breads and cheeses, and as a serving platform.

Compare prices and find the latest designs here.