[JemDrum]

Thanks to this forum I have smooth off the surface of a professional butchers block to use as an outside BBQ table/chopping board using a router.

It is a full size 3ft/90cm x 2ft/60cm block made of either sycamore or maple. I ended up taking 5mm off some parts. I then sanded it. It looks great.

Since then I have been applying mineral oil as after 35 years in storage it is very dry.

My question is how much mineral oil would expect it to need?

I have been surprised how the end grain just sucks the oil in. Over the last couple of weeks I applied close to three litres of oil and it still seems to want more. When you squirt the oil on you can just want the grain take it up before you have had time to spread it out with a cloth.

Do I just keep going? Does it take time to equilibrate/settle?

Any comments gratefully received.

J

 

[JemDrum]

Billyjim: So was I! The block is 6.5inches/16cm deep and no oil is coming through.

Historically the reverse side has been used more. I did smooth that side because it is less even. I did oil that side and one coat was fine.

It seems that they act of smoothing it with the router on the less used side has opened up the end grain so that it is taking in loads of oil.

 

[JemDrum]

Thanks for these informative posts.

I am a fan of 'back of the envelope' calculations and so am impressed with Barry747's analysis. I will keep adding oil and keep you posted. My kids would expect me to start trying to create a graph of block volume verses oil volume!

You may be amused to know that I bought this butcher's block off a butcher in 1986. He asked if I had a big kitchen. I replied I don't even own a house yet. I always said I was going to do it up when I retired. Over the years it came out for street parties. I retired in August this year! I have attached a photo.

J