The Kitchen Worktop
The place for bathroom and kitchen worktops or counters
Cutting Board Types and Maintenance
Feb 19th
Among the types of kitchen worktops that we use is the cutting board. From the novice cook to the professional chef, cutting boards are an essential tool to have in the kitchen. There are several types of cutting boards to choose from, and each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Wooden Cutting Boards
Many people prefer wooden cutting boards because that’s what they started using as a beginner. Until recently, most wooden cutting boards were made from a maple hardwood which resists knife marks. While the standard wooden board may be preferred, it is not the easiest to clean. Eventually small cracks from cutting can harbor bacteria and become a health hazard. Wooden boards can not be placed in the dishwasher, but can be sanitized with a bleach solution.
Recently, new wooden boards have entered the market, including a bamboo cutting board. Bamboo is a little more expensive than the extremely economical maple, but typically lasts longer and resists bacteria better than other woods.
Oiling wooden cutting boards is recommended to prevent them from drying out and cracking. To extend their life, they should be rubbed with a light mineral oil intended for food use. Other options are poppy seed, linseed oil, or you can buy cutting board oil.
Plastic Cutting Boards
Plastic is an option that many cooks choose when shopping for a new cutting board. Plastic boards come in many colors, thicknesses and price ranges. Plastic is a good choice because it is easier to sanitize, and smaller boards can be run through the dishwasher to clean.
Bamboo Cutting Board
Other Materials for Cutting Boards
Some people choose glass cutting boards because their hard surface makes them easy to clean. While this is true, the hard surface is also hard on knives, which can dull faster and actually be difficult to cut on. Glass cutting boards can double as trivets, which makes them handy to have around.
Corian, while typically a countertop material, can be used to make cutting boards. It’s non-porous, so it is easy to clean too, but it is a more expensive option than wood, plastic, or glass.
Some people use slabs of marble as a cutting board, but it’s hardness can actually damage knives. It will also deteriorate when exposed to acidic foods.
Choosing a cutting boards is a personal decision, and favorites vary from person to person. Whatever cutting board is chosen, it is important to sanitize it after each use, and replace them when cracks or grooves appear.
The Importance of Kitchen Worktops
Feb 12th
One of the biggest concerns of homeowners and contractors when creating or renovating a kitchen is selecting the right kitchen worktop. According to decorating experts, if you desire to have a beautiful and functional kitchen, then you must carefully select the best kitchen worktops. To make your kitchen functional and attractive, it is best to choose quartz kitchen countertops.
Quartz kitchen countertops have a reputation for making kitchens stylish and functional. It is known that quartz is the one of the most common minerals on Earth. Quartz comes in different colors such as: purple, black, white, green, yellow and brown; this will provide a lot of options for those trying to match the rest of the décor of the kitchen.
Quartz countertops are not just popular for their attractive appearance, but they are also popular because they are very durable and functional. Quartz countertops that are purchased from big companies are designed to resist stains, heat, and scratches. In other words, these countertops are tough enough to handle every day wear and tear. And these worktops are sold in different moldings to fit any kitchen.
A beautiful piece of quartz that will be made into a worktop for the kitchen!
There are huge debates about purchasing quartz because they are as expensive as granite countertops. These countertops are worth around 100 dollars per piece. Quartz worktops will actually win this debate, because they are tougher than granite countertops. Like other kitchen countertops that are available in the market, granite countertops only come in one variety and they emit amounts of radon. Radon is a radioactive element that can cause a huge health concern. Therefore, it is best and safer to choose kitchen countertops that are made from quartz. Quartz countertops are definitely your best choice, if you are planning to transform your kitchen into a haven for cooking. You do not need to look for other worktops, because quartz countertops are guaranteed to give your kitchen the exact makeover you were looking for.
Butcher Block Countertops: Beauty and Functionality Combined
Feb 7th
The most commonly used wood in a butcher block top is maple due to it’s durability and beauty. But you can also get it in walnut, teak, cherry, mahogany, oak, etc. This makes it easy to match it to your existing finishes in your kitchen. Now, you may think that a butcher block counter is just one solid piece of wood, but this is not the case. It is actually lots of strips of wood that are glued together. This is what makes it possible to have multiple types of wood on one kitchen worktop.
In my opinion, a butcher block should be your number one choice for a countertop for one reason – functionality. You can set a hot pan on it and it doesn’t damage it in the least. And obviously, you can use it for all your prep work. Try to do the above two examples on a granite or ceramic tile counter and you have made a very expensive mistake, to say the least.
The average cost of a solid slab granite countertop is anywhere from $60- $120 per square foot. Ceramic tiles can range anywhere from $5- $100 per square foot depending on whether you get a simple solid color or opt for a patterned tile. Also, this does not include the price of grout. The average butcher block can go for $30- $100 per square foot depending on the type of wood chosen and other variables.
Butcher Block Countertop
We should also address maintenance of the butcher blocks. If you follow a few simple procedures, you can extend the life of your butcher block by many years.
After every use, scrape the surface used with a metal scraper or spatula and thoroughly dry it to ensure proper sanitary conditions. You should also treat it with mineral cutting board oil about twice a month to make sure it is properly sealed against bacteria. And last but not least, you should periodically flip it over to ensure even cutting distribution. If you follow these simple steps, then you will have a beautiful centerpiece in your kitchen for many years to come. Enjoy!