Catskill Butcher Block Cutting Board
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4
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Awsome
The quality of this butcher block is outstanding. The size was especially perfect for my kitchen as it fit the top of my wine cooler exactly as I expected. This is as much a focal point for the kitchen as it is utilitarian because of the complimentary blend of wood tones. Anyone in the market for a butcher block needs to put this on the top of the shopping list.
March 10, 2011
Only two words can describe this Butcher Block -
LOVE IT!
December 2, 2011
Great Chopping Block
This is the second such block I have owned. Lost the first in a house fire and missed it ever since. This block is large enough to be functional when I chop lots of veggies. It looks great in the kitchen and is easy to maintain and clean. Wouldn't be without it!
July 5, 2011
Cooks Delight
I've been a meat-cutter for many years and well remember the days of end-grain butcher blocks that we used for cutting. Now our cutting tables all have polyethylene plastic boards instead. In the industry, this makes sense as they make easier proper food safety and they stand up to much use and abuse.
As a serious and constant cook, I've always missed the beauty of butcher-block wood and decided to treat myself to a "proper" cutting board. I could not have chosen better than the Catskill Butcher Block Cutting Board. I prefer to make everything from scratch and never cared for plastic cutting boards at home. I've always found them very sterile looking; frankly, I own power tools with better aesthetics. Further, I don't consider them as safe as wooden boards (they can be slippery when working with certain foods).
The board at 20+ pounds is very heavy and cannot be easily cleaned or sprayed off in the sink. To solve that problem, I simply designated a separate heavy-duty sponge (one side is a "pad" scraper) for use in wiping the board. With the sponge dampened, it is easily used to wipe large bits of debris off with the soft side, and wisk smaller bits off with the pad side without soaking the board. To be sure my board is free from food bacteria, I use water with 3 or 4 drops of bleach per quart in a spray bottle; spray, wait one minute then wipe: rinse your sponge and wipe again to remove any bleach residue. I use a similar method to purify stream water for drinking when I go camping ... haven't ever gotten sick.
You cannot cleave on a thin board as it the board bounce and move about, compromising safety. Unless you are lucky enough to have a local, independent butcher shop, you will not be able to get someone to cleave your turkey breast in half. I've always done this for myself at work, but recently cleaved one at home ... the board didn't budge. I've pounded meat on this board. The wood damps the noise such that you don't wince with every hit and, again, the board stays still.
While I have always had boards that were wide enough, I've never been able to find a standard board that was deep enough to suit my needs and not have food spill off the front or back as I worked. The Catskill block, at 20 x 20 inches, eliminates that problem. For years I've used the standard straight-board style cutting board; however I found that, over time, they would invariably begin to warp or split. The board comes pre-seasoned, but it is recommended that you oil it again before first use. Mineral oil, being food-safe, is suggested. I use an inexpensive brand of walnut oil instead. It is lighter, absorbs more quickly and enhances the fragrance of the natural hardwoods in the board.
The beauty of the board is immediately evident, so leaving out on your counter top will only enhance the look of your kitchen, and keeping it oiled will only make it more attractive over time. If you can not or do not want to leave it in open view, I suggest that you stick with a lighter, less durable board. Although the Catskill cutting block has indented side grips, it is necessarily quite heavy and somewhat cumbersome to move about.
All in all, this bit of my kitchen equipment has made me the happiest, and will keep me so for many years to come. It is a piece that I will pass on to my son; I know it will last that long. I highly recommend this board to anyone who loves to cook and wants to make the preparation part that much more enjoyable.
January 19, 2011