To End Grain or Not to End Grain...

The butcher block countertop is not completely done yet, but Chris has made amazing progress on it.  It is turning out beautiful!  Once it is sanded and oiled, it will be so stunning, I'm not sure I will want to use it!

When considering butcher block, there are two types: edge grain and end grain.  What's the difference? The pictures below should hopefully help explain it.

With end grain, the wood fibers run vertical.  Imagine a bunch of toothpicks standing vertical bunched together.  The toothpicks represent the wood fibers.  As you chop, the knife actually slips between the wood fibers.

With edge grain, the wood fibers run horizontally and the knife cuts across the fibers.

The butcher block cutting board featured in the above pictures is end grain, which is what our counter top will be.  The advantages of end grain are that it is more durable, self-healing, and it doesn't ruin your knife.  It's also more sanitary.  With regular applications of butcher block oil, knife marks go away and the wood looks new again.

Edge grain, on the other hand, has the exact opposite problems.  The only real advantage with edge grain is that it "looks" prettier and is cheaper.  End grain butcher block is generally more expensive and extremely labor intensive to make.

Our counter top will be end grain.  For as much as we cook, it makes way more sense.

Here's some pictures of the progress.  The darker wood is black walnut and the lighter is maple.

In other exciting news, this Saturday is D-Day!  That's right, demolition day is upon us!  We will be sure to post pictures.  And let's be honest, that's the good stuff!  :)

Until then, our last meal that will be cooked in the old kitchen:

And finally some last good-byes....

Good-bye ugly window that doesn't open or close... 

Good-bye door that has to be jammed shut and knob that doesn't work....

Good-bye old stove whose oven temperature is just slightly off and drawer that doesn't work right....

Good-bye dishwasher that has to be rolled and hooked up to the sink....

Good-bye pots and pans rack....   :(

Good-bye, Chanel....

CHRISTOPHER!!!!!!!!!