A kitchen countertop needs to be strong, impervious to liquids, and attractive. But out of all the materials used to construct countertops, wood is probably the most difficult to make water-resistant. It takes a lot of work to prevent the wood from water damage because it is a material that notoriously absorbs water. This is why having a kitchen countertop made of wood that is naturally water-resistant is so advantageous. One of the naturally rot-resistant, long-lasting hardwoods you may choose for your countertop is acacia wood. This wood is less prone to rust and deterioration because of the abundance of natural tree oil that has saturated the grain. Additionally, this wood can be just as durable as Hickory, depending on the Acacia subspecies.
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Is Acacia Wood Good For Butcher Blocks? And Why is Acacia Wood a Good Option For Butcher blocks?
Safe To Use
Acacia wood is not toxic to us when it is solid. Acacia wood only actually has a problem with sawdust. A sensitizer is found in practically all types of wood sawdust. This implies that if it comes into contact with our skin, it may result in respiratory problems or even allergic responses. However, since Acacia wood makes a sturdy tabletop, this is not a problem. Because it has a food-safe surface, acacia wood is ideal for a kitchen setting.
Rot and Waterproof
Acacia is naturally resistant to decay and water damage. It has organic oils in it that keep water away and shield the wood from microorganisms that can cause rotting. Because of this, even unfinished acacia wood can last for many years without rotting or losing its integrity to the environment.
Related: Is Acacia Wood Waterproof?
Acacia is also resistant to shrinkage and warping. It makes sense why so many people favor acacia wood for patio furniture.
Scratching
Acacia wood, which is frequently used for countertops, is typically robust and scratch-resistant. To be completely honest, though, a lot relies on the precise type of Acacia. The Acacia tree actually has thousands of different subspecies. Unbelievably, not all Acacia goods will specify the precise tree subspecies that they are made from.
However, if you are familiar with the precise subspecies of Acacia, you may predict how scratch-resistant it will be. And the reason for this is that one of the ways we gauge a type of wood’s resistance to scratches is by looking at its Janka rating.
Check: How to Protect Acacia Wood?
The Janka Rating
The Janka rating quantifies the amount of force needed to dent a piece of wood with a piece of metal. The more force used to create a scratch, the higher the Janka grade. Now, the Janka grade offers us a good sense of how resilient Acacia wood is when it comes to scratch resistance. However, the numerous Acacia subspecies have dramatically varying Janka ratings.
The Acacia Blackwood, for instance, has a relatively high Janka rating of 1160 lbf. Therefore, it takes around 1160 pounds of effort to scratch this wood.
Density
At 760 kilograms per cubic meter, Acacia is a very dense wood. It falls into the price range of the most valuable hardwoods as a result. For example, teak wood weighs 800 kilograms per cubic meter, while oak wood weighs 700 kg. Softer woods, like pine, weigh no more than 400 kg per cubic foot.
Appearance and color
The wood has straight grains that occasionally have wavy patterns visible. Due to the trees’ prolific branch production, it also has numerous knots.
Although the color varies depending on the species of Acacia and the region where it grows, the wood is reddish-brown in hue. Most acacia woods typically have tones ranging from light amber to rich mahogany.
What Are The Benefits And Drawbacks Of Acacia Wood Butcher Blocks?
Acacia Wood Butcher Block Pros
- Durable, robust, and hard
- Suitable for cutting boards with end grain and edge grain
- Resistant to rot, deterioration, and water
- Lovely with endearing textures
- Sustainable Acacia
- Highly realizable and straightforward to complete
- Acacia is harmless and, therefore, safe for people.
- Acacia boards are simple to keep and clean.
- Boards made of Acacia are inexpensive.
Acacia Wood Butcher Block Cons
- Acacia wood can be harmed by scouring pads, alcohol, and silicon-based chemicals.
- Rarely are acacia planks uniform in appearance.
- It’s an uncommon exotic wood that is hard to find.
- Acacia costs more than typical hardwoods.
How to Take Care Of Acacia Wood Butcher Blocks?
To keep your acacia wood cutting board in top condition and lengthen its life, you must give it the greatest possible care. Regularly oiling your butcher block provides the following benefits:
- Oiling stops the grains from drying out, splitting, or cracking by keeping them moist.
- Regular oiling aids in filling/blocking cuts and scrapes to keep out microorganisms.
- The rich color of the acacia wood is preserved by oiling the cutting board.
- Oiling the wood pores improves the board’s ability to withstand moisture.
- Acacia cutting boards may be kept looking newer and longer by being oiled.
- It shouldn’t be difficult to select a wood oil for your acacia cutting board. Only three things need to be made sure of;
- Choose food-safe oils rather than noxious ones that could endanger your health. For instance, it’s forbidden to use synthetic oils.
- Avoid fatty oils since they tend to attract bacteria and give off strong odors when they eventually solidify into fat.
- Each oil has a unique color and scent. Finding oils that have no odor or that have pleasant, harmless scents is crucial. Furthermore, clear oils function best.
Food-grade oils with mineral bases are advised. Mineral oil has no smell and no color. Additionally, it resists water. As an alternative, think about lotions made of beeswax or specialized coconut oil products.
Final words
Acacia has a natural resistance to rot and water, making it one of the best woods for chipping boards. In addition, it is a hardwood that is naturally resilient even without treatment. Acacia cutting boards are, most importantly, food-safe. Acacia wood butcher blocks are a durable and attractive option for kitchen countertops and cutting boards. In addition, they are relatively easy to maintain and do not harbor bacteria, making them a safe and hygienic choice for food preparation surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Acacia Wood Scratch Easily?
Acacia wood is known for decay and termite resistance, but scratches can happen to any wood. Acacia wood may get scratched with time, but taking proper precautionary steps to maintain the wood for a long time.
Which Butcher Block is Better, Acacia or Maple?
Acacia wood is harder than maple wood, with excellent moisture resistance. That’s why acacia wood is a better choice for butcher blocks.
Can I Put Hot Pans On The Butcher Block?
You cannot put a hot pan (stick or non-stick) on butcher block countertops as it can damage the surface severely.