What Grit to Sand a Maple Block?

Maple Block Construction

• Maple blocks -- or butcher blocks -- are distinguished from cutting boards in their construction. In the most durable blocks, maple pieces are glued tightly together so their end grain forms the top and bottom surfaces of the block. End grain is very hard and less prone to damage from knife blades than flat grain. Maple blocks can be as large as a butcher's work table or as small as a large cutting board.

Wear

• Over time, a maple block gets scratched and sliced from sharp knife blades. Over decades of heavy use, blocks can actually wear so much that their surfaces become concave. A concave block is still useful, but a worn, fibrous surface interferes with exact slicing, catches knife blades and allow liquids to more easily penetrate the wood.

Sanding

• Sanding the block restores the hard surface and allows easier cleaning. Start with 100-grit sandpaper until the rough spots are smooth. Follow with 220-grit sandpaper until you have an evenly-textured surface that feels smooth to the fingertips. You can follow with 320-grit sandpaper if you want a slicker surface. Use a power palm sander if you have a large block or a long run of block countertop.

Tips

• Restore the color and shine of a block with mineral oil after sanding. Don't use vegetable oil as it can become rancid. Clean the surface immediately after each use and allow it to dry thoroughly between uses to minimize bacterial contamination. Having two blocks -- one for meat and one for vegetables and bread -- allows for fast work and helps eliminate cross contamination.