A Guide For Choosing A Quality Wood End Grain Butcher Block [Elevate Your Kitchen]

In this blog, I want to share my experience with using an end grain butcher block, highlight the benefits, and help you choose the right one for your culinary adventures.

As an avid home cook, I've always had the desire to own an end grain butcher block and admired its durability and beauty.

There is something awe-inspiring about walking into a kitchen and seeing someone chop away on a giant piece of wood. It just feels right and adds a touch of nature to the kitchen, which can’t be said about plastic cutting boards. Cutting on plastic boards feels much more industrial to me… Not what I am going for when creating delicious and nourishing meals from natural ingredients for my family and friends.

My desire to own one was further solidified when I heard about my friend's end grain butcher block, which has served him faithfully for eight years. Despite hearing about his experience, I waited to get one for my kitchen… something that I regret now, because I wasted money on cheap wooden cutting boards that ended up in the landfill eventually.

But a few months ago, I finally acquired my own from a small, family-owned company called Montana Block. And I haven’t looked back since.

Upon receiving my end grain butcher block, I was immediately captivated by its aesthetic appeal and fine craftsmanship. From the moment I used it in my kitchen, I knew I had made the right choice. The sturdy construction, knife-friendly surface, and overall functionality surpassed my expectations. It has indeed become the heart of our culinary space.

Montan Block is offering a 15% discount to Year of Plenty Podcast listeners with the code “yearofplenty” at checkout. Visit www.mtblock.com to see what’s in stock!

Benefits of a High-Quality End Grain Wooden Butcher Block

There are tons of cutting boards available to people who would rather cook their own meals than spend a ton of money on eating out. But despite all the marketing hype and modern designs, a traditional, wooden end grain butcher block stands above them all.

Durability and Longevity

Wood is renowned for its durability by master chefs around the world. And especially an end grain construction is the way to go if you want something that can take a beating. End grain construction means that the wood fibers are arranged vertically. This offers exceptional strength and resistance to wear and tear. It allows the butcher block to withstand heavy daily use, ensuring it becomes an heirloom piece in your kitchen.

Gentle on Knife Blades

Unlike plastic or composite materials, wood will absorb the force of a knife blade, minimizing the risk of dulling or damaging them. Your kitchen knives are arguably the most important tool in your arsenal, and they aren’t cheap! So keeping them protected while they are in use is vital. In fact, cutting on wood can even benefit your kitchen knife. The natural self-healing properties of wood fibers ensure that your knives retain their sharpness, allowing for precise and effortless cutting over and over again.

Natural Antibacterial Properties

One of the remarkable characteristics of wood is its inherent antibacterial properties. This is often contrary to what people believe because we have been told that plastic cutting boards are much more hygienic. But scientific studies have shown that wood possesses natural antimicrobial agents that can inhibit the growth of bacteria. Here is one of those studies if you want to learn more about it. This makes wooden end grain butcher blocks the perfect choice for food preparation, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable

Sustainability is a major concern in the world, so making an effort to reduce waste should be top of mind for any home chef. Wood is a renewable resource, making wooden end grain butcher blocks an eco-friendly choice. By opting for a wooden butcher block, you can enjoy the benefits of a natural material while minimizing your environmental footprint. Plastic cutting boards usually don’t make it longer than a year. Companies like Montana Block prioritize sustainability by using responsibly sourced hardwoods and employing environmentally conscious manufacturing practices. What I love about them is that they will even repair your wooden butcher block to help extend its lifespan. A wooden butcher block is very thick. This means you can sand down the surface layer of wood and have it look like new! This can’t be done with plastic cutting boards and is another reason why a wooden butcher block is a much more sustainable option.

Natural Aesthetics and Warmth

Wooden end grain butcher blocks bring a natural warmth and timeless beauty to your kitchen. The unique grain patterns and variations in color create an inviting and visually pleasing focal point in your culinary space. Whether you prefer the light tones of maple, the rich hues of walnut, or the reddish-brown warmth of cherry, there is a wooden butcher block that can complement your kitchen's style and ambiance.

How to Choose the Right Wooden Butcher Block

1. Quality

The most important thing to consider when choosing the right end grain butcher block is quality! Cheaper alternatives are tempting. I get it… But inferior, budget-friendly wooden cutting boards can be toxic for you and your family. These cheap alternatives are often made from wood from questionable sources and can contain toxic finishes full of harmful chemicals. Who wants chemicals in their food? I sure don’t…

2. Butcher Block Material Options

Consider the different wood options available! Wood from maple, walnut, or cherry trees are all great options for your end grain butcher block. They can endure wear and tear, maximize antimicrobial properties, and provide a forgiving surface that is gentle on your knife. Walnut is especially unique because it has self-healing properties due to its tightly packed wood fibers. This means that small knife marks or scratches on the surface of the cutting board are less noticeable over time as the wood naturally recovers and regenerates.

Make sure the wood is coming from a reputable source, ideally here in America! Some offshore companies are using reclaimed wood… who knows where that is coming from and what it has been used for. Again… don’t cut your ingredients on potentially toxic surfaces.

3. Sizing and Thickness

Evaluate the available sizes and thicknesses to ensure the butcher block fits your specific needs. Consider the available space in your kitchen and the types of culinary tasks you frequently undertake. Make sure the butcher block is at least 2 inches thick so that you have the ability to sand it down multiple times. This way you can start with a fresh cutting surface to get the most out of your end grain butcher block.

4. The Finish [Wax and Oil]

Companies will add a finish to butcher blocks to increase their longevity. Be curious and ask the company for the materials they use to finish their products! There are several wax and oil options that manufacturers can use. Ideally, you want them to use something that is food safe or made from natural products like beeswax for example.

5. Design and Style Considerations

While there is nothing wrong with a standard rectangular wooden end grain butcher block made from one piece of wood, there are tons of styles for you to explore. I love butcher blocks made from several kinds of wood since it can produce unique designs and colors.

Ideally, you also want a wooden butcher block that has little rubber feet on the bottom that will keep it from sliding on your countertop like other cutting boards do. Furthermore, it allows for proper airflow around the board to prevent warping.

Also, companies like Montana Block will even engrave your butcher block! Mine has the Year of Plenty Podcast logo engraved into it. But you can engrave anything your heart desires… maybe an image of a majestic elk or the outline of some of your favorite vegetables. Just find something that resonates with you and adds personality to your kitchen.

I hope you feel equipped with the right information to help you choose a high quality, wooden, end grain butcher block. Like I said at the beginning, I wish I would’ve pulled the trigger years ago instead of wasting my money on low-budget alternatives that only made it 2-years max.

While you are on the lookout for one, I highly recommend checking out what Montana Block has in stock. They are a small company in Billings Montana and meticulously craft every end grain butcher block by hand from all American-sourced materials. No wonder their products go fast! It doesn’t get much better than that.

They are also a sponsor of the Year of Plenty podcast and are providing an exclusive 15% OFF with the code “yearofplenty”. Check out their selection at www.mtblock.com. Part of the sale will go back to the Year of Plenty Podcast, so this is a great way to help me keep the lights on so that I can crank out more podcast episodes and blogs like these for you.