Butcher Block Countertop

[AldeanFan]

Does anyone have a butcher block counter top in their airstream and are there any issues or problems I should be aware of?

We are removing the range from our ‘77 safari and replacing it with a cabinet. The oven doesn’t work and I haven’t missed it in the 12 years I’ve owned this trailer. The oven is only does to store pots and pans.
We do most of our cooking outside but have a hot plate and butane burner we can use inside for the rare occasions we will need it. This summer I intentionally did not use the burners in the range to confirm we won’t miss them.

I will replace the range with a cabinet that will provide more storage and save some weight.
For the large hole in the countertop I had initially planned to replace the entire countertop but then thought of filling the space with a piece of butcher block type material.
It will certainly look better than the grubby old burner cover.

Are there any concerns or issues with a butcher block top in a trailer? Will temperature or humidity fluctuation affect it?

[Lily&Me]

I would be concerned about varying temperatures, but also weight.

You could have a nice cutting board without those issues.

Maggie

[Dennis C]

I agree with Maggie on temperature concerns. Our custom wood table top developed a little crack when the weather got cold.

[pcskier]

I built a custom standing desk/extra counter unit using part of my lounge space. I treated the butcher block (ordered custom size) unfinished and applied mineral oil and let it soak in. Still got a couple minor cracks where the pieces are glued together. Still fine for my use but for a countertop it would not be great.

For table tops I think people use resin sealants like shellac which might not be desirable for a countertop that gets wet or scratches.

For new counter I’d look at corian or some other solid surface.

[Tim A.]

Solid wood expands and contracts with variations in moisture content and the expansion and contraction is much greater at right angles to the grain than parallel to the grain. The cracking mentioned above is, as a result, normal. Mounting needs to take the dimensional changes into account.

Butcher block or any other solid wood can stain quite easily and needs to be accepted if you use it as a countertop.

Tim

[heslinhotel]

I put this in 75 safari. Stained and sealed with Polyurethane. Worked well

[s1000pre]

If you keep it oiled well it should be ok. Be prepared for it to take 100lbs off your carrying capacity.

[civeng99]

Awesome. I have something similar. Marine varnish. You can always router out the back to save weight while keeping the visible profile you desire. If you get cracks recoat.

If you don’t pack every crack and crevice with excess krap, these incremental weight changes really don’t matter.

[BigAl]

Hi Mark,
I assume you are planning on doing the butcher block as an insert to fill the void left by the range. I think it will do just fine. Make sure to leave a small gap all the way around for seasonal expansion of the butcher block. Maybe hold it in place with clips from below. The thickness of the block will obviously affect the weight. One possible source for a top is a portable dishwasher. I got one that way.
Al

[AldeanFan]

Wow that’s beautiful!

[AldeanFan]

Love the idea of routering out the back to reduce weight! Thanks

[AldeanFan]

Thanks Al!
That’s pretty much my plan, I like the dishwasher idea.

[AldeanFan]

It will be interesting to weigh what I remove and what I add and see what the net weight savings is if any.

[civeng99]

Originally Posted by AldeanFan

Love the idea of routering out the back to reduce weight! Thanks

Common on solid surface countertops in rv applications too. Lot depends on the wood you use…ie dimensional stability varies wildly with wood.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by Tim A.

Solid wood expands and contracts with variations in moisture content and the expansion and contraction is much greater at right angles to the grain than parallel to the grain. The cracking mentioned above is, as a result, normal. Mounting needs to take the dimensional changes into account.

Butcher block or any other solid wood can stain quite easily and needs to be accepted if you use it as a countertop.

Tim

Real wood will move (expand/contract) 1/4" for every 12" of width. Could be more if you go from very dry weather to very humid, which pretty much defines the life of most RV owners.

Like mentioned by Tim, if you take this into account when mounting you'll be fine. Mount the rear edge rigidly so no gap develops between the countertop and the wall, and mount the outer edge in a way that permits enough movement.

Regarding finish, keep in mind that the finish needs to move with the wood. If you put a hard finish on it like epoxy, and the wood expands in humid weather, it will crack the finish as the wood expands. Choose a more flexible finish or just go with oil and rubbed wax like lots of handmade furniture has.

Our countertop at home is butcher block, and it just gets a coat of food-grade mineral oil once a year. We use it regularly and even cut on it. (It's a butcher block after all). It ages well and the wear and tear make it looked well loved.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by AldeanFan

Thanks Al!
That’s pretty much my plan, I like the dishwasher idea.

Another idea for where to get countertop, go to a place that cuts and sells them. The piece you need is fairly small, they probably have a bunch of small cut-offs you might be able to get at a discount.

[civeng99]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

Another idea for where to get countertop, go to a place that cuts and sells them. The piece you need is fairly small, they probably have a bunch of small cut-offs you might be able to get at a discount.

Or make your own. Awesome little project.

[AldeanFan]

While Christmas shopping I found these at Costco $36!
I couldn’t buy the wood for that price.
One isn’t big enough but two will provide enough material to build what I need.

To deal with expansion, the butcher block will be floating in the old stove opening and not actually attached to the counter top.

[AldeanFan]

Project is done!
We have fought the large tambour door under the sink for 11 years so while I was building the doors to close in the oven area I made matching doors to eliminate that problem.

So far I’m vary happy with how it came out but the real test will come when we actually use it this summer.

[BigAl]

Job well done. I like it