How To Season a Butcher Block Countertop at Home | Cutting Board Oil

[@darrellcrawforf4174]

I just got a butcher block countertops, thanks for the advice, your tops look good 👍

[@efd]

Thanks, I'm glad we went with butcher block for the island. keep it oiled it'll continue looking good.

[@TeaSPooon96]

I just bought a house and didn't realize the huge island in the kitchen was a butcher block counter because it wasn't oiled at all. I thought is was just unfinished. Thank goodness I came across a post letting me know what it actually was when I was looking up finishes to put on it. I almost covered it in polyurethane 😬

[@efd]

Glad you didn’t, the oil and conditioner keep it looking great

[@paullambert7110]

Nothing wrong with poly just not idea to cut on it after.

[@jmydn2]

same! thanks for explaining

[@chiliboom6140]

Great video. Thank you for taking the time to make it. The countertop looks great.

[@dragonflyoracle4679]

Looks beautiful. I’m getting cherry butcher block counter for my island. Can’t wait to see how it will look.

[@patriciagailmcclary8283]

Thank you!!! So helpful and kind of you to make this video!

[@Joel-tx9ew]

Looks like you are in the home stretch of your large remodel. Hope for a big reveal video. Great job!

[@efd]

Its getting there, lots of small details to go.

[@RandomReviewsHowTos]

That looks awesome. Nice job!

[@efd]

Thanks! It’s looking good and holding up well.

[@shannonpainter-carpenter7769]

do you sand between coats of oil?

[@Centannicocktails]

Hello! My maple countertop arrived today. I'll be oiling it Friday. It's going over the lower cabinets and sink area. Do I need to oil at least 1 coat underneath? Or not? And you said you did 4 coats of oil..is that also 30 minutes each time for each coat, then the conditioner. Then wait over night before use after conditioner. Thank you very much! Excellent video!

[@efd]

Awesome! We love our wood countertop. I did not season the bottom, i did the edges but nothing more. I waited 30 minutes between oil coats to let it soak in and then let it sit overnight before I used the conditioner. I re-oil it every few months when it starts to look dry.

[@Centannicocktails]

​@@efdPerfect! Thank you very much❤

[@iansmith7543]

Saw you didn’t apply the final sanding, any ideas/recommendations on what I should sand mine to? I am refinishing a butcher block table.

[@efd]

I didn’t need to sand mine but would probably use a 220 grit for a smooth finish.

[@ElliotCS1.6]

Hi thx for video, do you have to oil the bottom too? Thx

[@efd]

I did not do the bottom.

[@sclark02786]

Do I need to use the oil before the conditioner? I thought I only needed the conditioner 😬

[@joeavery6587]

How do you clean it? Is it always oily?

[@efd]

The oil soaks in and feels dry. It may take a day or 2 though. To clean it, i use a vinegar/water mix. I reseal it when it gets to be light in color. Maybe once a month.

[@wildernessman760]

Did you apply oil to the side that's facing down before the counter top was installed? The oil isn't just cosmetic it's a preventative measure.

[@efd]

That’s a great point, I did not do it where the cabinets are. So far so good though

[@viperman100]

Coat the underside with a polyurethane to completely seal the covers, use the oils for the top.

[@josetteskinner4200]

Great video! Did you first sand the whole butcher block? I tried this method on mine after a few guys renovated my house. The oil and conditioner wouldn't take. I was told by another person it was because it wasn't sanded down first. Guys who renovated my kitchen said it was ready to be oiled and conditioned straight from the store.

[@efd]

I didn't have to sand mine down, it came smooth and unfinished. I wonder if you need to clean it with dish soap or something similar to remove any existing or surface level protectants.

[@josetteskinner4200]

Mmm 🤔. Okay. I’ll try again. Maybe I used the wrong cloth to try it with. I saw you used an old T-shirt. I was using a microfiber cloth.

[@efd]

@@josetteskinner4200 I would definitely use something cotton, like an old shirt or Terry cloth

[@matsudakodo]

If you're going to do some cuts to the wood, do you recommend doing the conditioning before or after cutting?

[@efd]

After so that you condition and my exposed wood.

[@bobbycruz3431]

Do you need to oil underneath before installation? I plan on using butcher block for a table I suppose there's more access to oil frequently.

[@efd]

I didn't oil under mine and haven't had any issues.

[@hauntqueenJ]

I have a 4ft butcher block im setting it ontop of a table without attaching. Should i do both sides of the butcher block?

[@efd]

If you have easy access, I would do the entire thing

[@hauntqueenJ]

Yes it can be flipped so guess ill be doing the other side too. Thank you.

[@BackyardFarmerCrafts]

How often do you have to do this process? I just got a BB too for an island. Trying to decide if I want to use oil or polyurethane

[@efd]

I only do it every 3 months. It stays pretty good.

[@SeymourKitty]

My friend said is this locked in a cage or on the shelf at HomeFreepo?

[@efd]

Interesting, wouldn’t have thought it would be a product that would walk away.

[@jeffadam1450]

I am putting a butcher block counter in my kitchen. So you’re saying this oil and conditioner is all that is needed? No polyurethane clear coat afterwards?

[@efd]

No clear coat, the oil and conditioner will protect the wood.

[@mrzhall2109]

How long after you rub off the remaining conditioner can you use your counters?

[@efd]

Let it sit overnight and it will be good, but if you put papers on it, it will leach onto them for a few days

[@mrzhall2109]

@@efd Thank You. Your video was very helpgul. We used watco oil and i wasnt feeling it so i tried the oil you used and its awesome!!!

[@joshua12345j]

Can you use that oil ober stain

[@awrosch214]

What products do you use for upkeep/daily cleaning after it’s been sealed and conditioned? Do you know the countertop needs to be sanded and resealed after a certain amount of time for upkeep?

[@efd]

I used the conditioner about once a month. I haven’t had to sand and reseal yet. We did some some marker and pen marks on it with the kids so at some point, I’ll sand it and redo the conditoning

[@michaelhinchey]

They shouldn't need to be resealed for 10 to 20 years.

[@LB-nv2bj]

I used a little acetone on a rag to get out pen and then re oil. No Sanding

[@bigabe23]

can i cover it in polyurethane after this oil and conditioner? I don't plan to use the countertop for the cutting board. I use only a separate small wood or plastic board

[@efd]

If you are going to seal it with poly, I wouldn’t bother with the conditioner. Although, I wouldn’t do that, I would use the oil and conditioner. It looks great and keeps a natural feel and look.

[@ad3x33]

Does this help for stains and spills? Also I didn’t put the oil I put one coat of conditioner can I put the oil now and then the rest of the conditioning coats??

[@efd]

yes, as long as you clean them up quickly. liquids will pool on the top for easy wipe off as long as you keep it oiled. if it gets dry, stains could penetrate down into the wood.

[@sandyparcels4552]

I had someone come and finish my butcher block counters. He sanded it and used the conditioner, no oil. My countertops are all rough and appear to need sanded again. Is this typical? Should I re sand get the oil then conditioner?

[@efd]

If they are rough, try lightly sanding it with a fine grit sand paper, then oil it several times, then conditioner.

[@jenjen2044]

Do you need to resand lightly when you oil it again in 3 months?

[@efd]

I've had mine for around 2 years and have never sanded it. its still nice and smooth.

[@tuckerklassen3786]

Does it harden the wood? I want to use this on a cedar coffee table but I'm not sure it will be hard enough. Thanks!

[@efd]

it does not harden the wood, it protects it against spills and drying out.

[@christenragland8982]

Does this oil seal the countertop? I have install butcher block countertops and trying to determine what I need to use seal it and protect it from water and damage

[@efd]

Yes, the oil seals it. You’ll want to recoat it every few months, whenever it appears dry

[@christenragland8982]

@@efd thanks so much. What's a sign that the wood is dry? Would you say doit every 3 months?

[@efd]

@@christenragland8982 Around that time frame. You'll be able to tell when its dry. The wood will look dull and any water drips won't bead up.

[@oscargarzaalmaraz8058]

Do this oil and conditioner prevent the butcher block from being stained by food? For example, with the pigments of dried peppers or berries.

[@efd]

i haven't had any issues with staining. I keep it well oiled and the juices bead up and are able to be wiped off. I don't think I've had any food coloring spills or other concentrated colors spilled on it though. We do our best to keep color liquids off of it just in case.

[@simplyhomehomestead]

Do you have issues with papers picking up oil residue

[@efd]

Just the first day or 2, it takes a bit for the oil to fully get absorbed.

[@TheNubbyG]

I sure did when we oiled it. A month later it is much better. I did not know to put conditioner on it so I am doing that now.

[@lonnielapeyrouselpc1518]

Any benefits to applying more than one coat of conditioner after oiling it?

[@efd]

Yes, you oil it a couple of times and then use the conditioner. The conditioner helps keep the oil in and water out.

[@lonnielapeyrouselpc1518]

But only one coat of conditioner needed?

[@efd]

@@lonnielapeyrouselpc1518 yeah, I put a couple coats of oil and then conditioner. I put conditioner on it every few months when it starts looking dry.

[@joemo1691]

Did you wow off in between coats?

[@efd]

Wipe off? No, it all gets sucked into the dry wood.

[@crystalb1553]

How to clean butcher block from daily use?

[@efd]

I use a vinegar/water mix in a spray bottle for cleaning. I use a 1 to 1 ratio of vinegar and water.

[@6136086]

Do you need clear coat on top?

[@efd]

No, the oil and conditioner protect the wood.

[@ST-pq4dx]

With this process, Don't we have to stain? Or mineral oil step handles it?

[@efd]

You only need to stain if you want to change the color. The butcher block oil takes care of sealing it. After you put the oil on, water beads on it and keeps moisture from seeping in

[@aminnehas]

How do you clean it after food prep?

[@efd]

I try to keep food liquids off of it and I use a vinegar/water mix in a spray bottle for cleaning. I use a 1 to 1 ratio of vinegar and water.

[@joelwhite1501]

​@@efd Do you use a paper towel or an old T-shirt to wipe your vinegar mixture after you spray it? I'm worried that you're going to remove the wax and the oil if you spray water and vinegar on it.

[@efd]

@@joelwhite1501 I use paper towels, I re-apply whenever the top starts to look dry. Roughly every 2 months. I haven’t had any issues or discolored spots from the vinegar solution.

[@ericmcentire9088]

How has it held up over the year?

[@efd]

It’s still in great shape! I’ve oiled it every few months. Still looks great.

[@Aphillywitdahoodie]

No water stains?

[@102create]

How thick is your butcher block countertop? In inches, or centimeters.

[@efd]

This one is 2 inches thick

[@inforestsweheal]

Do you have to do the top and the bottom? How do you do that?

[@efd]

I only did the top and sides

[@michaelwakus]

use a new paint roller to apply it faster.

[@demond80]

Thanks

[@efd]

You are welcome!

[@Brian-uy2tj]

This was OK, however I would point out that it is not a good idea to save oily rags, especially not wadded up in bag. Many oils for finishing wood can spontaneously combust when stored that way. While This may be OK, it is nevertheless a bad habit to get into.

[@willfoster9715]

Lol at all the wrong information in this video

[@efd]

Always open to learning, any constructive feedback?

[@Musiclover-po1tl]

All the info here is basically the same as shown on Howard's own video. It was very helpful.

[@2008SUPERDUTYF350]

The instructions say to let it sit for at least a hour and apply 3/4 coats for both products.

[@jusformommy]

I just want to know should we do both sides

[@toolsntruck941]

this is a no brainer to oil a butcher block how could you possably screw it up .sorry but there are some tricky stuff to learn in carpentry this is sooo basic i feel you shouldnt be running a saw if you needed this video to oil some butcher block ...

[@efd]

We all start somewhere. 😀

[@enoughisenough9937]

I’m thankful for the video considering I am an average female that went to buy her own butcher block to install on her existing island and didn’t have a clue what to do once I got the unfinished piece home. These instructions were extremely helpful and it turned out great. Thank you for taking the time to post this video. Have a great day

[@LB-nv2bj]

I'm here to make sure I did it right because mine is still really oily