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Expert: - 4/11/2009


Question
Hi;
Aside from maple, what woods are desirable for cutting boards? Also, is it true that maple has qualities that render it anti-bacterial?
thanks

Answer
Hey John, it's not that Maple has any anti-bacterial qualities, it's that it has no pores for bacteria to hide and grow in. It's very hard, dense and porelees, making it a good choice for chopping and cutting boards and blocks, (Eastern Rock Maple, that is), there are some Maples that are soft. The only other really similar woods that I'd recommend are Beech, and Red Birch, woods like Cherry, and Walnut, can also be used, but they're not as hard and can be expensive. It's also important to use kiln dried wood and orient the grain properly to minimize warping and movement. Professional Blocks are made of "end grain" where the block is glued up from pieces that are standing up, so that the end grain is the work surface...they also have crossed, through bolts running through the block to keep it together. The other thing to keep in mind is to oil a board or block regularly with a block oil like the Boos Mystery Oil, or Boos Board Cream (a beeswax and mineral oil product) and never let them soak in the sink. Scrub with hot soapy water right after using and dry them. I have several Maple blocks in my kitchen I use on a daily basis, and all are lasting very well, but I take care of them. Once a year I scrape them down with a sharp cabinet scraper, sand them lightly and oil them liberally, and I use an oil about every few weeks on them as well. Hope that helps, check out the Boos site here, they make some beautiful products- Greg

http://www.johnboos.com/residential/products.cfm?category=jbc0002

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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