FAQ

The best construction style for cutting or chopping is end grain construction, which is far more forgiving on knife edges and does not readily show knife marks. Rather than cutting across the grains of wood, end grain construction allows the blade to slide between the grains of wood, keeping the blade honed far longer than other cutting surfaces. End Grain construction is incredibly durable, stylish and functional. Cutting boards of yesteryear were produced in this construction style for a reason: because they last.

Yes, wood is perfectly safe to use for cutting or chopping. In fact, studies have shown that wood is actually safer to use than plastic. Research indicates that bacteria, such as the salmonella often found on raw chicken, will thrive and multiply if not removed from plastic boards. On both new and used wood cutting surfaces, the bacteria dies off within 3 minutes. Researchers theorize that the porous surface of the wood deprives the bacteria of water, causing them to die.

You should, however, always be diligent in cleaning any cutting surface. Scrub your wood top or cutting board clean with soapy water and a small amount of bleach after cutting foods such as raw meat or poultry, and recoat regularly with a light covering of Grothouse Original Oil to maintain a lustrous look. All of our wood tops include FDA approved glues and are hand rubbed with The Original Oil to assure that no unsafe chemicals are used in the construction of your cutting boards.

We generally recommend that pots or pans straight from a burner should not be placed on the surface of a wood top. The heat can burn the wood, steam glue joints, cause cracking, or create bubbles in the permanent finish. For customers with a cooktop in or near their wood top, Grothouse does offer integrated trivets as an optional feature. The trivets make the ideal resting place for hot pots and pans, and are completely removable and dishwasher safe.

Tops with our Durata^® permanent finish should not be used for cutting or chopping. While the finish is FDA approved for indirect food contact, cutting will leave knife marks and destroy the surface over time. The surface is perfectly suitable for rolling dough, pasta, or other similar food preparation activities. If you intend to use the surface for cutting or chopping, though, we recommend Grothouse Original Oil.

Our Durata^® permanent finish is water resistant, stain resistant, and chemical resistant. It is ideal for applications that include overmount or undermount sinks. Tops finished with The Original Oil will need regular maintenance, and standing water should be avoided. Spills should be wiped up immediately to avoid staining.

Wood countertops with waste holes increase the functionality of your kitchen. Countertops with this feature are typically used for direct chopping. This feature creates a food preparation space that is self-contained and helpful in busy kitchens with multiple cooks. The scraps are quickly swiped into the hole for efficient waste disposal without unnecessary steps to a nearby trash can. They are most commonly incorporated into butcher block (end grain) countertops.

Tops finished with The Original Oil will need to be re-oiled approximately once per month, depending on use. Heavily used tops may require more frequent oiling. Simply coat the top lightly with oil using a paper towel or rag, allow the wood to absorb the oil for 5 – 10 minutes, and then wipe off any excess oil.

The Durata^® permanent finish is a proprietary formulation that is only available on products manufactured by Grothouse. It is not available as a standalone product.

Wood countertops with waste holes increase the functionality of every kitchen. They also offer an ideal alternative for homes with septic systems which often cannot utilize garbage disposers. Countertops with waste holes are typically used for direct chopping. The feature creates a food preparation space that is self-contained and helpful in busy kitchens with multiple cooks. The scraps are quickly swiped into the hole for efficient waste disposal without unnecessary steps to a nearby trash can. Trash holes also allow the collection of organic materials for composting.

Grothouse offers over 60 wood species and trash holes/lids can be incorporated into any wood, although they are most commonly incorporated into butcher block (end grain) countertops. A 6″ diameter hole is sufficient for most kitchens and our most popular. However, the ideal size can vary on the kitchen design and layout. Trash holes can have lids if requested. The lids cannot be made with the hole cut out as the cutout piece is too small due to the width of the blade used to cut the opening. The holes can be crafted with a custom lid if desired. This element of customization can add a decorative flair to your well-organized workspace. For emptying and cleaning, a stainless steel bin can be incorporated into the waste hole that lifts out if no receptacle is in the cabinetry below. The bin has a rim that sits on a routed lip on the opening. Some waste holes are simply holes cut into the butcher block that empty into the trash can below. Designers also incorporate stainless steel compost drawers below the hole.