| Caring for Wood in the Kitchen |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-408 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Though wood furnishing is typically found more frequently in the living and dining rooms of homes, finished wood is becoming increasingly popular as a motif in kitchens--as in the case of butcher-block surfaces. Wood in the kitchen has become more commonplace partially because wood finishes have gotten stronger and more durable over recent years. Here Ask DIY Woodworking expert Bruce Johnson answers three common questions pertaining to the care and use of wood in the kitchen setting. Q: What is the best finish to use for butcher-block tops and cutting boards? A: First, it's useful to know the difference between butcher-block and cutting board: - Butcher-block tops are constructed by putting the end-grain of adjacent boards facing up, resulting in a narrower surface between joints (figure A).
- A traditional cutting board is made with wider boards (figure B)--a less expensive type of construction.
You'll spend more money purchasing a butcher-block top than an ordinary cutting board, but they serve the same purpose and can be cared for in the same basic way. It used to be common practice to treat butcher blocks and wood cutting boards with olive oil or vegetable oils. These gave the wood a more conditioned look, but it's now known that those oils can turn rancid after they've penetrated the wood. The safest oil to use to condition butcher-blocks and cutting boards is mineral oil. It's safe, effective and non-toxic, and unlike the vegetable oils, there's no chance it will turn rancid. Simply pour a small amount of the oil onto the wood surface (figure C) and rub it in to the wood using a clean cloth. Care Tip: Avoid putting wood cutting boards into the dishwasher. The glues may dissolve, and the wood sections may separate. Q: We are remodeling our kitchen. Can we safely install wooden floors, or should we stick with vinyl? A: The new wood finishes--including both the kind you apply yourself and the pre-finish available on some wood flooring -- offer enough protection that wood is a fine choice for use in kitchens. Now you can have the character and natural look of wood in your kitchen, rather than having to use vinyl. In our demonstration, Bruce struck a piece of pre-treated wood with a hammer (figure D), showing the strength and durability of the pre-applied finish on this wood flooring. Care Tip: When mopping, avoid simply sloshing water over your wood floors. Water can seep between the seams of flooring (figure E) and cause warping and separation between the boards. Use a kitchen-cleaning product designed specifically for wood floors. Q: What is the best finish for a table that our family uses for meals, homework and everything in-between? A: For "all-purpose" kitchen or dining tables that take a lot of use and abuse, consider using polyurethane varnish. The dining-table leaf shown in our demonstration (figure F) is protected using two coats of a polyurethane finish that's similar to the varnishes used on floors. - Applying polyurethane varnish is very simple. Follow the directions that come with the brand you select. Varnishes are oil-based, and have an ambering effect when applied to the wood. Make certain to stir varnishes well (figure G) before applying them, since the resin materials tend to settle to the bottom of the container.
- You can add a coat of polyurethane to a table that already has a finish by first sanding the existing finish very lightly with some very-fine sandpaper--such as 220-grit (figure H). Don't sand completely through the existing finish. Sand gently and evenly to put some light scratches on the surface, making it possible for the new coat of polyurethane to adhere.
- Wipe away the white powdery residue from the newly sanded surface (figure I) before applying the new varnish.
- Apply the new coat of polyurethane evenly with a brush, and let it dry according to the directions on the can. Once dry, the polyurethane will provide a tough and durable finish (figure J).
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
