butcherblockguy's Profile

A strict definition of “butcher block” would define butcher block as northern hard maple. Butchers worked on end grain maple to insure the knife edge lasted as long as possible. In more modern times the definition has expanded to include many wood species. Readily available on the US market are Maple, Red Oak, Ash, Cherry, Walnut, Eucalyptus, and even Teak. More exotic woods can be found from custom fabricators.
Walnut is a wonderful species and when Michigan Maple Block Co introduces the wood on a mass scale back in 2002 it immediately became the second most popular species next to maple, I believe this to be the case because the coloration is opposite to the traditional lighter colored maple. In any event Black walnut seems here to stay.

It seems like there are many opinions about a variety of concerns about butcher block. I have seen Ikea Butcher Block tops and the ones I have seen have been cracked or warped or both. I put them in the same category as Plastic laminate "faux" butcher block. They are low quality prone to failure and therefore impugn the industry as a whole. There are several good quality butcher block manufactures which supply top quality goods. Michigan Maple Block Co out of Michigan has been making them since the late 1800s. Bally Block out of Pennsylvania is also a reputable manufacturer. There are others. The cheap imported tops Ikea sells is not what I would recommend...in the end when they fail it will be "wood tops" which will pay the price in reputation.
Also, as far as being safe for food prep. Yes both Michigan Maple Block and Bally block produce NSF certified tops which have always been safe for food contact. You can read more if you visit the www.mapleblock.com website.