Butcher block

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
1

I have been looking at butcher blocks this morning. I have plenty of maple and bamboo cutting boards, but I dont think they are a match for the cleaver.

Is there a difference between…

and…

One is long grain and the other looks to have smaller blocks of maple.

Is there a brand that doesn’t break the bank? Bed Bath Beyond sells John Boos. Ebay has some from Michigan Maple Block Co.

[thankyou.gif]

2

The latter aligns the wood grain vertically, such that cleaning, disinfection, and drying are harder, when food juices seep downward. None such at my shop. [snort.gif]

3

Mine was made by prisoners in the state of Maine!

http://www.state.me.us/corrections/Facilities/msp/MSPProgramsandServices.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

4

Boos rocks. I don’t like end grain boards. Not as hard, easier for the bugs to infiltrate and way more lamination=potentially was move bad seams

5

I use Boos as well - board is roughly 15 deep and 24 wide (no, won’t measure it unless you request it).

One side has “juice” channels around the edge, the other side is flat.

I did have a brief episode with it appearing to buck and lightly crack between slats. Noticed I was keeping it in a spot over my washing machine on the counter all the time and the steam at night likely aided in a moisture imbalance.

The Boos cream, which is really beeswax and some treatment additions is pretty good stuff and after several weekly applications my board healed.

Truly love it.

6

Steam-table experience is more valuable and transferable than most people believe.

7

Mine too.

Funny thing is, I had one stolen by an ex-roommate.

Dan

8

Actually a study done a while ago showed that wood cutting boards are much less likely to transfer microorganisms than those made from other materials. IIRC, the wood took the moisture out of the critters.

That said, there is an almost universal regulation against these in commercial kitchens.

Dan

9

To add to this…

Sugar/Rock/Hard Maple is a closed grain wood that is also naturally bacteriostatic. Back in a former life, I made maple cutting boards, butcher blocks and countertops in my spare time, so I did quite a bit of research. Not to say that you don’t need (must) to keep hygenic practices and clean up after yourself.

10

Going to order this
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Maple-Edge-Grain-24x18-inch-Cutting-Board/3303891/product.html

I haven’t seen anything cheaper unless google failed to list it. [thankyou.gif] for all the help.

11

That one is 3 inches deep. Go to Sur La Table and get the Boos, same size, 1.5 inches deep, less money. Unless you’re tall.

12

I have a rolling cart that I do my heavy chopping on, love it!! It has a table top that is 2’ x 3’ x 2.5 ’ with a leaf that extends the 2’ by another 6-8 ‘’. I looked fro the name. But I love it. Otherwise is you ever watch iron chef, they chop on what appears to be the base of a log/ tree. Its about 6" thick.

paul

13

I am tall.

They have the 1.75" deep model
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Maple-Edge-Grain-24x18-inch-Cutting-Board/3307157/product.html

I also have a coupon for 20% for BedBathBeyond. Comes out to around the same price without having to deal with shipping.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=14956255

14

The one at BB&B looks like the deal. Get it. I have one just like it. Be sure to oil it often.