Whether inside a restaurant or just inside a home chef’s kitchen, one of the most important pieces of equipment is a chopping board. The humble board has evolved throughout the years and now, we have access to butcher blocks. This neat piece of equipment is a lot of things, but before anything else, let’s understand what it is first
In essence, a butcher block is a material that is made out of evenly proportioned straight cuts of wood which are then glued together to form thick slabs. These provide a smooth, even, and sturdy surface that can be used in the kitchen in a multitude of ways. When used as the surface of a countertop, chefs are given a wide space to use as a cutting board, a tabletop, or simply a counter.
A lot of kitchens and delis are growing fonder of high-quality butcher blocks. Up and coming restaurants are pre-installing them in their kitchens. Established restaurants on the other hand are renovating their countertops to fit them with the best butcher blocks in town. What are the reasons for this new kitchen trend?
When thinking about wooden chopping boards, people often think that the material used is maple only. However, butcher blocks are made from various trees which are durable as well. For instance, we sell blocks made from Walnut, Maple, and Cherry wood. These materials can withstand even the heaviest of hands in the kitchen.
Cutting boards made from plastic and glass will undergo damage through time. Whether it’s the slip of a knife or a heavy equipment dropping, the marks and uneven surfaces will eventually show. Butcher blocks go through the same ordeal but unlike other boards, they are easier to repair. Chefs can easily sand away imperfections in butcher blocks and, if they want it to look as good as new, they can simply coat it with some elbow grease.
Most of these items are made with wood glued together with food-safe adhesive so directly placing food on top is no issue. Butcher blocks can also handle heavy equipment such as ovens and mixers. Aside from that, there are various types of butcher block grains that suit every need in the kitchen.
Edge Grain - made by placing wood side-by-side. It is stable, cheap, and usable for most tasks in the kitchen.
Face Grain - made using flat laid wood. It looks a lot better than edge grain blocks, but the drawback is that it can be easily marked when used for chopping.
End Grain - small rectangular blocks are arrange so that the end pieces are facing up front to make the surface of the board. This is the most expensive and most durable butcher block type there is.
Aside from being easier to fix and patch up, butcher blocks are also easy to clean. All chefs need to do is wipe it down with soap and water, let it dry, and then it’s good to go. Ensure to condition your board on a regular basis to keep maintenance efficient and easy.
A butcher block is something that any modern chef should have in their kitchen. Its merits may not affect the quality of the food directly, but it will help kitchens become more efficient. Make sure to check out our range of butcher block boards today!
