Wondering you should use for sealing butcher block countertops? I tried both Waterlox and mineral oil and am sharing what worked best for me!
After sharing our new coffee station last week, several of you had questions about what we used to seal our new butcher block countertops so I’m going to fill you in on those details today. (post includes affiliate links – full disclosure statement available {here}). As you known, we only have them in a small area at the far end of our kitchen where we ripped out the old, ugly tiled countertop:
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Once installed, it’s important to treat or seal the butcher block to keep it from drying out and staining. There are a lot of options for products to treat butcher block, but one of the simplest and least expensive is mineral oil. And that’s what I went with for the first several months.
Sealing Butcher Block Countertops with Mineral Oil
To seal butcher block with mineral oil, you simply apply the mineral oil generously, let it soak in, and wipe off the excess. You need to do it fairly regularly at first but then only about once a month after you’ve gotten through several applications. But here’s the problem that I found with mineral oil. Any paper that you lay down on it will absorb the oil from the butcher block and stain the paper. Even if it’s been weeks since you oiled it. I’d love to say that our kitchen is always neat as can be with no random school papers strewn about but…not so much. After several papers got ruined by laying them down in the wrong place, I knew that mineral oil wasn’t going to work for us.
Sealing Butcher Block Countertops with Waterlox
So after a lot of research into other options, I ended up trying Waterlox and I’m so glad I did – I love it! It’s a blend of Tung oil and resin with a water-resistant finish that’s also food safe (more details on their food safe claim can be found {here}). The company has great instructions on application of Waterlox on their website that are a must-read before using it, but the main steps are to sand the butcher block, clean it with mineral spirits, and then apply 3-5 coats of Waterlox with 24 hour dry time between coats.
Waterlox comes in three different sheens but it’s recommended that you start with Waterlox Original Sealer/Finish (available {here}) for the first coats and just do the last coat in either the satin or high-gloss finish if you want a different sheen. I’m not a big fan of shiny countertops so after three coats of the Sealer/Finish, I applied a coat of the Waterlox Satin (available {here}) which is less glossy. The color of the butcher block definitely changes depending upon the treatment that you choose with the Waterlox making the butcher block a deeper, just slightly more orangey color than the mineral oil.
You can see the difference even more clearly looking at this angle – the countertop was sealed with Waterlox and the board on top of it was treated with mineral oil:
Honestly, I prefer the lighter look of the oiled countertop to the darker Waterloxed countertop but with all of the other advantages of Waterlox (no more oil spots on stray kitchen papers, no more monthly maintenance, and better water resistance) it was the way to go for us.
If you’re thinking about using Waterlox too, be sure to read {this info on care and cleaning of Waterlox} so you are aware of what products you should and should not use on Waterloxed countertops.
So that’s my long-winded answer to your short question about our countertops. Butcher block countertops aren’t for everyone and we only have them in this one spot with granite in the rest of the kitchen but I love them and honestly wouldn’t hesitate to use them throughout a kitchen. How about you?
Dagmara @ GlamistaHome says
I don’t have a butcher block counter, but I have always admired the look of it, but wasn’t sure how to treat it to keep it looking beautiful. Thank you for sharing the information. Your counter top really looks as new and it’s nice to know that mineral oil might not be the best option if you choose to work on it with paper.
Sylvia Shelnutt says
I have a large butcher block table in my kitchen and a butcher block counter top. I refinished the table several years ago because it was dirty from newsprint embedded on the top edge where my husband sits reading the morning paper. I sanded and sanded then used a clear water based polyurethane coating to seal. With this finish, I don’t have to oil and it has a nice clear sheen that lets the wood show through without color change from the finish. This finish has worn well over the past several years. The counter top came from our old house and was never fastened to the top of a counter so it is large but portable. I am now using the underside as a large bread board laying on top of a stainless steel cart. The topside has the original finish which I didn’t want to disturb, so I flipped the board over, sanded the underside and keep it oiled it with mineral oil. I agree, mineral oil can be aggravating to use but for what I am using the board for it is my best choice.
Thank for the info about Waterlox. You have done your research. I am glad to know about Waterlox.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Your table and butcher block bread board sound beautifully done! I have a butcher block cutting board too and mineral oil works great for that. It’s just the countertop area that’s difficult in our busy kitchen. Poly is a great choice for a table but I was hesitant to use it for countertops because I don’t think it’s food safe.
Val says
Excellent insight, thank you!
cassie says
we use the mineral oil- it doesn’t bother me at all and even though it is more maintenance, when an issue comes up (watermark, or food stain) i can fix it easily and i like that aspect. 🙂
Stephanie says
Good to know! I have IKEA butcher block counters in my kitchen for 5 years and they are holding up well! I have used mineral oil, but not like I am should. I am lucky if it gets done once a year … I, like you, like the mineral oiled look better than the Waterlox.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Totally agree about the look Stephanie – I like the more natural look of mineral oil but it just didn’t end up being a practical solution for our family. Maybe once the kids are out of the house?? 🙂
linda says
hi stephanie, i am getting butcher block from ikea or meandrous for my kitchen and want to use mineral oil as well but want the countertops to be a nice deep oak, but i heard ikea birch is better than oak and also heard not to stain. what kind of wood do you have and are you still happy? if birch, has it darkened? feel free to send a photo, thank in advance!
linda
Rick says
Most IKEA BB counters are laminated and not solid. Using an oil over time may swell the substrate of particle board. There are some decent solid wood countertops through Lumber Liquidators that are solid wood and will do much better over time. With IKEA you only have about 1/4 inch of actual wood.
Kris Jarrett says
That’s true for some of IKEA’s countertops but they also have some options that are solid wood butcher block.
Jojuan Cedergreen says
I’ve read that oak is not good for cutting boards or countertops as it has very large pores – the kind that bacteria lurk in. Wood with tighter-pores is preferred (e.g. cherry, maple, beech, etc.). Plus, my now-retired local woodworker says that oak is sensitive to humidity changes and sometimes pulls away from the glue leaving gaps….another cozy harbor for bacteria. (My OAK end-cut butcher block cutting board is sad proof of this, while my larger non-oak end-cut is still pristine after 40 years!)
Kris Jarrett says
That’s why you seal it!
Tina says
Home depot has butcher block countertops for really cheap right now. I just installed them in my kitchen…just did 3 layers of oil and had to buy more.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
I’m glad the mineral oil works for you – I really, really wanted it to work for us because I love the mineral oil finish (and you’re so right about the ease of any “repairs”) but it just didn’t. You must keep a much less messy kitchen than I do 🙂
Debbie says
Kris,
I am debating about what type of counter top to install when I makeover my kitchen. I am on a limited budget so granite is out. I love the look of soapstone but that is also expensive. I was wondering about butcher block counter tops and could they be stained a dark walnut color and covered with poly? That way I would have my dark counter tops without the expense and the monthly work. What do you think? Thanks in advance.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
I think that would look beautiful Debbie! I would just make sure that you use a wood conditioner first so that the stain isn’t splotchy (I learned that the hard way). As far as the finish, I think the issue with using poly on countertops is that it’s not considered to be food-safe like mineral oil and Waterlox are.
TR says
can you use waterlox on top of other stains to get a more desired color?
Kris Jarrett says
Unfortunately, I’m not sure of the answer to that. If you give Waterlox customer service a call, I’m sure they can answer your question – I had a few before I used the product and they were super helpful!
Bev says
I read another article that said – you CAN STAIN it before using the Waterlox on it .
Tom says
We stained our butcher block countertops with a cognac stain and covered with 3-4 coats of satin polyurethane. The painter was inexperienced at this and didn’t sand between coats. We have many bubbles and some chipping due to this. Also our dog has jumped up to search for food and has scratched out countertop in a number of places. This option is not for everyone and these are some of the negatives we have encountered. I will be sanding and reapplying polyurethane correctly in the near future.
Susan P. says
We just put butcher block on our island. It is European walnut and we purchased from Home Depot. Beautiful variegated colors. Reasonably priced. Very pleased so far. Planning to paint island/cabinets.
Carrie says
Good tip! I love the look of butcher block and hope to have it somewhere in our kitchen someday. 🙂
Martha Mackey says
I was so excited to find your article as we are just buying our wood countertops, but I’m wondering how stain fits into this process for those of us who don’t want the natural wood look.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Hi Martha, I’ve seen butcher block countertops stained and they can look very pretty. They just need to be sanded and have a wood conditioner applied first.
Martha Mackey says
Oops just realized I misspelled Waterlox on the previous email.
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
Great post Kris! I love real life comparisons and what works for others. The Waterlox is clearly the way to go for any counters that are going to get used. Filing this away for future reference! Thank you!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
I have a feeling that when you get rid of your baloney countertops, you’re going to treat yourself to the good stuff (marble, granite, soapstone, etc.)!
Taylor Greenwalt says
That looks so good…my daughter has wood counter tops…I will pass this on to her…
Emily says
Hi Kris,
This is exactly what we’re hoping to do! Thanks for the tips. Did you get the IKEA Oak or Beech countertop? We too are looking for a lighter appearance…lighter even than the mineral oil. I’ve seen people use white stains on other furniture, but can you put a stain down under the waterlox?
Thanks,
Emily
Macie says
I really like the color of your counter tops. Are they maple?
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks so much Macie! Our countertops are beech butcher block from IKEA. Have a good night!
hennalyne says
just a quick question for you; did you end up sanding your blocks?
Kris Jarrett says
Are you wondering if I sanded before applying the Waterlox? If so, the answer is yes! If you are asking something else – leave me another note 🙂
Anonymous says
Just wondering where do you buy “waterlox”?
Kris Jarrett says
If you go on Waterlox’s online site, you can search for a store near you that sells it – several of our local hardware stores and a woodworking store do.
Rose B says
I have had ikea butcher block counters for over a year now and I treat them only with mineral water. One thing that bothers me about my counters (besides the oil stains!) is they are a little rough to the touch. If that was your experience, did you notice that the Waterlox made the surface smoother to the touch?
Rose B says
*oops, I’ve been treating them with mineral OIL, not water.
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Rose, yes our Waterloxed butcher block is pretty smooth – definitely smoother than when we were using mineral oil. The only negative of the Waterlox is that it casts an slight orange hue to the butcher block – I like the look of the mineral oiled butcher block better. Wish I could have the best of both worlds!
Mel says
Did you use a wood conditioner before applying Waterloo?
Kris Jarrett says
No I just sanded and then cleaned off any remaining residue with mineral spirits per the Waterlox instructions!
Jennifer says
How has this held up over time?
Kris Jarrett says
It has! My countertops look exactly the same as the day that I sealed them!
Peter says
Can I use waterlox after I have used mineral oil for over a year?
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Peter – I would call Customer Service for Waterlox and ask that – you can find their contact info online. They were very helpful when I called with questions!
Shelley says
Hi! I’m am wondering if you can tell me what type of wood your countertop is.
Thank you! 🙂 Shelley
Kris Jarrett says
Mine are IKEA’s NUMERAR which I don’t think they have anymore – they are Beech!
carol says
Just ordered birch butcher block counters from lowes. Unfinished. Have 2 very messy teens that leave standing water near sink all the time. Which is better to use. Waterlox or the Howards butcher block conditioner (which I already ordered)
Kris Jarrett says
Carol I’ve never used the Howard’s conditioner but after just a quick look at it, it looks like it might just be a conditioner and not a sealer? If true Waterlox would be the better choice for standing up to water.
Jennalyn says
What did you have to do to your already oiled countertops before applying waterlox? We’re in the same boat, tried the mineral oil for a few months and it’s not working
Kris Jarrett says
If you go to Waterlox’s website, they have specific instructions on what to do with butcher block that has previously been oiled. It’s been a while so I can’t remember the specifics but I believe you had to wait 30-60 days since the last oiling and then do some light sanding and wiping with mineral spirits.
Karen says
I am having the same problem with our new butcher block island countertop. All my papers get oily! It’s driving me crazy and I’m ready to try something different. I am curious, how has the Waterlox seal help up over the past couple of years?
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Karen,
The Waterlox has held up beautifully! The only negative I’ve seen to it is what I mentioned in my post about it creating a more yellowy tint than when it’s just oiled. Otherwise, it’s been great!
Jessie says
Hi,
I’m looking at sealing a small butcher block rolling island and this sounds like a great solution. I was just wondering, what type of brush did you use to apply the Waterlox? With 3-5 coats recommended, wasn’t sure if it would be easy to clean a regular brush between coats or if a foam brush would be better.
Thanks!
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Jessie,
Waterlox recommends using a natural bristle paint brush!
Heidi says
We have 4 high end rentals where I installed butcherblock counters in all the kitchens. (Yes, I’m brave!). I purchased the butcherblock from Lumber Liquidaters. I went ahead with a mineral oil finish but as expected, I’ve not been thrilled with how they’ve held up. I’m going to try the Waterlox.
Kris Jarrett says
I love butcher block countertops! Let us know how the Waterlox does for you!
Brooke says
Hi! I’ve been treating my butcher block countertops with mineral oil but would like to seal it so I don’t have to worry so much about water spots, etc.
Can you put the waterlox directly over mineral oil treated butcher block or does it need to be sanded first?
Thanks!
Kris Jarrett says
If you go to Waterlox’s website, they have specific instructions on what to do with butcher block that has previously been oiled. It’s been a while so I can’t remember the specifics but I believe you had to wait 30-60 days since the last oiling and then do some light sanding and wiping with mineral spirits. Their customer service was really amazing when I called so don’t hesitate to contact them if you can’t find those instructions on their site!
Courtney Canfield says
Okay, so question for ya’: After you Waterlox the countertops a few times, do you have to do it regularly/on a monthly basis? You said, “no more monthly maintenance,” but every other blog I’ve read said you can’t get around monthly maintenance. I want to install over 18 feet of butcherblock in my kitchen (so much countertop space!!! Ahhh!) and after reading all these posts about having to oil it down monthly and sand it too, it scares me! Would love to hear your thoughts.
Kris Jarrett says
No there is no monthly maintenance with Waterlox – as the surface ages you might want to clean, sand, and re-coat but that’s definitely not needed monthly. I’ve had my Waterloxed countertops in place for years and have not yet needed to re-coat them. However if you use mineral oil instead, then yes you will have monthly maintenance. Hope that helps!
Paul Anschel says
Thanks for that info. The pic comparing Mineral Oil to Waterlox / Tung Oil is very useful. I’m just going to throw this out there for others who are looking for low maintenance alternatives to the oils and others who expect a lot of water / coffee spills – Polyurethane IS an option! For those who plan to use their countertop for food prep, cutting, I’d probably advise against it. Polyurethane is essentially a plastic. So you wouldn’t want to cut on it. While I’m crazy anal about minimizing plastics in my kitchen (no plastics in microwave or dishwasher), I’ll admit I bag my greens in plastic to come home from the store. And I rarely ever put my food directly on my countertops so I don’t see the a major issue here. In my case, I’m building a Kitchenette to be used in my guest house as a Coffee Bar primarily. I KNOW coffee will be spilled regularly on the countertop as I’m going to have a manual espresso machine on it. So, I opted for 1 coat of Clear Shellac to provide an initial seal and raise the grain. Then I sanded smooth and put 3 coats of Satin Poly on it. Looks beautiful, retains the original color. I’ve done the same on a wood countertop in my bathroom 2 years ago and it has held up to regular water spillage. Again, I wouldn’t recommend this for constant direct food contact but I think it is more than acceptable for the small amounts of contact you get daily (e.g. putting your mixing spoons down, etc.). But that’s just my opinion. Honestly, if I was putting the butcher block in my kitchen, I’d probably go with the Waterlox so I could easily repair minor damage, etc. I just wanted to throw this out there as I couldn’t find many comments about using Poly.
Kris Jarrett says
That’s a great point! I’m thinking about using butcher block in my laundry room and will likely use poly on that since I’m not worried about food safety.
Marcia Coté says
My new IKEA kitchen installation was completed yesterday including the oak countertop. My friend suggested Waterlox as she uses it on her cherry wood countertops and it works well.
I am wondering if you recall what grit sandpaper you used. Currently the finish feels a bit rough. I had planned to use my orbital sander with a finer grit sandpaper before applying the Waterlox.
Also since it’s been three years since your original post how long does the Waterlox finish last?
I appreciate your blog with such great details. Thank you.
Kris Jarrett says
The Waterlox has held up really well for me! This page has all of the details of how to apply it, including sanding details: https://www.waterlox.com/guide-builder-finish
Jessica says
Did you use the mineral oil for a while, then sand the counters and then apply the waterlox?
We just had ours installed and have done a week of mineral oil but wonder if waterlox is the way to go for water protection, didn’t know if we needed to sand the tops again?
Kris Jarrett says
Yes, I followed the prep instructions from the manufacturer – you can find them here (look under “Previously Finished Wood Application”): https://www.waterlox.com/project-help/guide?id=9e334e28-21c6-4a24-942c-fed2aaedbbaa&q=
Jason says
I just installed butcher block in my kitchen yesterday. Do you think I should oil them a few times before I use the Waterlox?
Kris Jarrett says
No, if you’re going to use the Waterlox I wouldn’t oil it first!
Adrienne says
Good info, thank you! So there is no problem using the Waterlox over a mineral oiled butcher block countertop?
Kris Jarrett says
You can use it over mineral oil but there is some prep that you need to do first involving mineral spirits and sanding. If you go to Waterlox’s website, they have detailed instructions about exactly what you need to do!
Joel Hunnicutt says
Thanks for taking the time to post about this – we are getting ready to install butcher block counters and have been undecided about the finish. Your experience has moved me over to the non-oil side!
Corey says
Can I stain first? I want it to match some of the other wood finishes that I have in my house. This is my first time using butchers block and didnt realize the maintenance. Would your solution still be best in my case where we installed it into our laundry room? I want it protected but stained. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Kris Jarrett says
Yes you can stain first! Waterlox can be used over most stains (nothing that contains waxes or silicones) once they’re completely dry. If you go to the Waterlox website, they have more info and advice on using stains in conjunction with this product. I think it would be a good choice for your laundry room! Good luck!
Anita Haun says
I am going to put a drop in cook top in my butcher block island. Do you recomend this product or more of a polyurethane finish for a better clean up?
Kris Jarrett says
In an area where you’re cooking, I’d probably go with Waterlox since it’s food safe.
Damon Boggess says
Do you need to sand your butcher block countertops between last application of WaterLox Original and WaterLox Satin?
Kris Jarrett says
You can find all of the recommended application details in this guide: https://www.waterlox.com/project-help/guide?id=33a6bb91-ad85-475c-b4e0-6ae4f854afd1
Cassie says
We are fixing to install dark American walnut butcher block in our kitchen and sealing with with waterlox because I don’t like the idea of oil seeping into our mail etc. My question is what do I clean it with? 409, water/vinegar mix, bleach?
Kris Jarrett says
I just used warm water and mild soap to clean mine!
Danielle Durand says
Waterlox seems great, but is it food safe? I prepare a lot of bread dough, pasta dough and pastry, would this be ok? And if you use Waterlox, does it prevent stains? If not, how do you take care of stains, burns, etc.? We are installing a butcher block countertop jext week, and I want to be ready to seal it.
Kris Jarrett says
It looks like I saw your comment too late to reply before your countertop installation but yes, it is wood safe. You can find all the details on cleaning, care, and maintenance on Waterlox’s site here: https://www.waterlox.com/project-help
June Reeves says
My butcher block has only had Howard’s butcher block conditioner from Home Depot on it. What should I do to it before putting Waterlox on it. I have Waterlox on my other custom countertops and I love them.
Kris Jarrett says
Waterlox has great information on what to do if you’ve already applied something else to your countertops – you can find those details here: https://www.waterlox.com/project-help/guide?id=9e334e28-21c6-4a24-942c-fed2aaedbbaa&q=
Jodi says
I have the same issue……I used Howard’s butcher block conditioner first. What did you end up doing beforeputting on the drylox? Not sure since it’s mineral oil and wax.
M
Thank you!!
Jodi says
Oops waterlox.
Jean says
I recently had butcher block tops installed. I don’t like them at all . I don’t feel like my counters are ever really clean. I am considering having them replaced.
Ann Taylor says
Did you seal the countertop after all the oil applications? For some reason I thought once you oil the wood, it can’t be sealed…. Thx!
Ann Taylor says
Sorry… I see that you did. We just installed the walnut butcher block countertops and although my husband has thoroughly oiled them multiple times they continue to get water stains from just tiny drops of water. I’m gonna freak out… how can I operate in a kitchen like this? I seriously want to cry!!! So, maybe we should seal them…. ???
Kimberly Coble says
Thank you so much for sharing. You helped me decide how to do mine and what product to use.
Roberta Rehbock says
Could a white wash be applied before the Waterlox ?
Kris Jarrett says
You could do a white wash stain before applying Waterlox – just look at the detailed instructions on doing so on their website since they talk a bit about some types of stain NOT to use.
Shay Trask says
Awesome! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this article! I have been between the two myself!
Have you heard of anyone darkening up their countertops before applying this to get a different color?
Kris Jarrett says
Yes, you can stain your countertop before applying Waterlox – just look at the detailed instructions on doing so on their website since they talk a bit about some types of stain NOT to use.
Vickie L Benoit says
Is there anyway to get around the orange ish color. I did almost all my countertops in butcherblock with the exception of the one piece over the dishwasher. Would I be able to put a little touch of stain in the Waterlox to eliminate that without damaging the seal.
Kris Jarrett says
Unfortunately, I don’t know of any way to get around the fact that there’s that slight discoloration with using it.
Richard Lawrence says
I installed butcher block counter tops from Floor and Decor this summer. I started one of them with mineral oil but also experienced the bleeding off onto papers. I followed the Waterlox instructions in cleaning it off and letting it sit for 30 days then applied Waterlox. It is pretty strong and I had to seal off the room used to finish. My wife and I love the beauty and water resistance it provides. Worth considering.
Misty says
Hi Kris! We just ordered our butcher block to arrive next week. Planning to use Waterlox, but in the instructions it says to avoid real use for 30-90 days? Did you have any issues with using yours right away? We can avoid using them for the 4 days of curing and applying and a week or so after, but are hosting a new years eve party. Hoping it would be OK to use them by then. Any thoughts?
Kris Jarrett says
The 30-90 days is for complete 100% cure – it is 95-98% cured within 7-14 days so so you’ll have good protection after that initial 1-2 weeks.
Tina says
Thank you! Used mineral oil on butcher block but unhappy with results. Waterlox sounds like the fix and results I am looking for.
Kris Jarrett says
I hope it works well for you Tina!
Becki says
If you use the Waterlox, can you stain first?
Kris Jarrett says
Yes, you can stain first! But I would read the guide “Stain and Waterlox” on their website for more details to make sure you get a stain that works with it.
Jennifer Hill says
What type of wood is your butcher block counter? Thanks!
Kris Jarrett says
Mine are Beech!
sabrena simon says
Did you seal the underside of the butcher block as well? I’m reading that it is necessary, but it would sure require more work!
Erin says
Hi Kris!
We are going to be installing butcher block soon and I believe we have decided on Waterlox to seal. What do you use to clean and maintain it?
KT says
Waterlox makes a wood surface cleaner and it’s for food safe surfaces.
Krisandra says
I’m thinking of installing IKEA butcher-block countertops in my small galley kitchen. I had a few questions. Did you have to sand your IKEA countertops before applying the waterlox? If so, do you have the veneer countops or the completely wood ones? Thanks!
Mark Silvester says
If I already tried mineral oil and then want to use Waterlox, can I just use the Waterlox on the previously treated wood (it’s been drying for a few weeks), or do I need to start over and re-sand to remove some of the mineral oil treatment?
Shawn says
I’ve used waterlox petty extensively on furniture. Last I knew, it wasn’t approved for food prep. Waterlox would have to be removed from market while being tested by FDA.
Robert B. says
Thanks for you blog post. I recently ordered a butcher block 8′ table to update my studio from Lowes and wanted to seal it….I purchased the Waterlox based on your writeup and as you mentioned, all the great tut’s they have on their website.
Ron says
Have you tried Osmo? They have a real good and food safe finish for wood.
I used it for a large 9′ by 4′ with a sink in it. It would be good to see your thoughts on it, and to include it in your review.
KT says
Now do you still do wipe it monthly with the Waterlox too ? Like you would with mineral oil ?
Joe Lucuski says
I reside in south florida and humidity is a big concern so I am planning to purchase kitchen counter tops from IKEA. They have a productive that’s a butcher block countertops wood / veernan it has a finish. But my major concern is it acquit enough to protect the sink area. What are your thoughts about protecting this area ?
Andrea Monto says
Thanks so much, I’m getting butcher block installed right now and this is very helpful! I did have a question: would you recommend staining butcher block, and if one does stain it, are they still able to spot repair? (If i were to do a walnut stain and seal with tung/mineral oil, for example)
Kris Jarrett says
Sorry Andrea – I don’t have any experience with staining butcher block so unfortunately don’t know the answer to your question.
Mimi Underwood says
Thanks! We just yesterday installed a walnut butcher block counter on one of our walls and just love it! It’s gorgeous. We will try the Waterlox.
Betty C says
With Waterlox: After the initial preparation / installation of my butcher block counter tops, how often do I need to treat them and what is the treatment at that time?
Also, I live in the Caribbean, is there any problem you have heard of with tropical woods, well treated?
Thanks
Ada says
Food grade mineral oil! I use half a lemon and salt to clean wooden cutting boards.
Debbi says
Thanks for this! Exactly the information I was looking for. Great share.
Kat121 says
Thanks for this. My new BB counter is sitting on the patio to be installed tomorrow. Ours will be on one brand new cabinet nearest the stove for a work area. The cabinets we installed haven’t had the ends covered yet, and we’ve decided to leave them bare, a light natural wood, to offset the BB which will be across the room, so keeping everything in the same color family is my plan. Seeing your photos and everyone else’s input on repairs and maintenance, I think we’ll be using mineral oil for ours as I anticipate serious wear and tear being next to the stove/oven. But it’s nice to see an option of it doesn’t work for us. I’ve read many articles today and this was the most helpful.
John says
Hi Kris, We’re thinking of switching from old school ceramic tile to butcher board countertops. The only concern I have is that we often take hot food out of the microwave or hot pots/pans off of the stove top and set them on our tile counters with no problems. Do you think that would be the case with Waterlox? In other words, is it heat resistant?
Reenee says
I am about to use the Waterlox product on our bare oak butcher block countertops. I’m hoping for that amber color, but it’s a hardwood. What type of wood are yours? They look fabulous!
Kris Jarrett says
Mine were oak!
Marla Hollandsworth says
Waterlox gives a nice finish BUT DO NOT USE IT ON A KITCHEN COUNTERTOP! I have 60 sq. ft. of maple countertop that was ruined when my daughter was baking and spilled some baking soda on the counter. I wiped it up with a damp sponge and the entire surface was stained black! Do a Google search – lots of folks have had this happen. Not suitable for the kitchen – who doesn’t bake with baking soda?!
Emily says
Hi! Where did you purchase your butcher block, and what kind of wood is it? Beautiful! Thank you!
Kris Jarrett says
I bought them at IKEA years ago – they are solid oak. They don’t sell these exact ones anymore though unfortunately.
Annmarie Klopferlopfer says
I have butcher block countertops throughout my kitchen and I love them! I used waterlox to seal mine as well and have not been disappointed with the results
Patrick Riley says
Great information. We were leaning towards Waterlox. had several wood countertops with sprayed lacquer and another with satin poly. both worked fine. the waterlox will go on a edge grain hickory 45 x 144 island.
Lor says
I’m a fan of oil finishes as they are easy to maintain however Waterlox is my choice for ” high traffic ” areas that are likely to meet water and adult beverages. There is also an exterior Waterlox product that I plan to use on our acacia wood counter on a covered porch. Thanks for steering me away from oil this time!
Linda says
We are planning on using butcher block for some shelving in our kitchen. They will only hold some small plates and coffee mugs along with some decorative items. Can you please share what kind of wood your butcher block is? That is, birch, acacia, maple, etc?
Thanks so much. I love and enjoy Driven by Design.
Linda
Walt Jones says
Thank you for the great description.
Paul says
I really love the cabinets. Any clues on how to find that planked style?
Kris Jarrett says
Unfortunately I don’t have a source for them since they were installed by a previous owner.
Pat says
The info you provided was so useful as we redid our kitchen. It hasn’t been touched since maybe the 1950’s or 60’s?? Anyway, we took the plunge and ordered butcher block counters (in walnut). I knew I wanted to waterproof the countertops or at least make them water resistant. I appreciate your info on Waterlox (and other finishes). We went with Waterlox in a satin finish and I also ended up buying and using their new H2OLox product to further seal after a few coats of the sealer/finish. Hoping for great durability!
Ron Kubicki says
I have been mixing linseed oil and turpentine and Thompson water sealer for years on the teak wood of boats
Bonnie Wilcoxson says
What species wood is your countertop. I didn’t notice that in your text. Thank you.
Bonnie Wilcoxson says
Never mind; found the species in the comments. But I noted a few others asked as well so maybe a short edit to your main text would be helpful to others.
Denise says
We installed our butcherblock countertops over 10 years ago using waterlox and they still look great. Have never recoated…just 3 coats when installed (top and bottom). Have even accidentally left wet cups on them leaving a white ring. A few hours after drying them the rings disappeared! Really happy with waterlox.