Kitchen work surfaces - wood?

[Tableclothing]

When The Awfulness is past we're going to have our kitchen re-done.

We are considering getting wooden work surfaces. Does anyone have any experiences they'd share? I've seen some really beautiful examples, but how much work are they to look after? How easy are they to ruin with one misplaced pan? Are they ever sustainably/ethically produced? How do they match up to the alternatives?

This is the first time we've had a new kitchen, so need all the help we can get. Thanks in advance!

[mumsiedarlingrevolta]

I have granite -which is apparently out of style- and I love it.

Love being able to put hot things on it and it cleans really easily.
I like its serviceability-so easy and low maintenance.

Also looks great.

[bathorshower]

We rented a house with solid teak work surfaces, which were decades old. They must have been very expensive, but they were bomb proof (they had to be; the house had been rented out for over 20 years). We did oil them occasionally (oil provided); water spills didn't need to be cleared up immediately. One thing which really helped was a double drainer sink (stainless steel with a draining board on each side), so they didn't suffer through splashes.

A friend demonstrated they were heat proof when he put a hot wok on them (I might have squeaked!). They were, however, slightly sticky - the design on a plastic bag would come off onto them. So not completely ideal.

[Singinghollybob]

We got wood worktops in our kitchen 6 years ago and had read all the horrors about them, but decided to go ahead anyway. We also take a 'good enough approach to housework but have got to say they've been much much easier to take care of than I thought and still look lovely now.
We've sanded and oiled them probably 3 times in the 6 years, use chopping boards and don't let spills sit on the wood for long.
Still very happy with them and the area around the sink looks just as new

[Pirandello24]

We had wood in our last house and are getting it again in this one when we redo the kitchen. Had them for 3 years, never re oiled them and they looked like new when we left. Osmo oiled them like crazy to start and they looked after themselves! They also didn't show up spills and crumbs which we loved as we're not exactly on top of cleaning with two small kids.

[VenusClapTrap]

A friend of mine put in very expensive wooden counter tops last year. She is very particular about them - there is always a tea towel draped across next to the sink on the ‘drying’ area to stop anyone putting anything wet on there, despite there being grooves there for that purpose.

In spite of her being very careful, the wood below the taps is already looking stained, I’ve noticed. I feed her cats when she’s away and I’m terrified of splashing when I wash out the bowls! It all seems unnecessarily stressful.

I’ve got granite. Zero faff. Put whatever you like on it and it doesn’t matter. I like a practical kitchen.

[SparrowInTheHedge]

I have solid walnut which I LOVE against the white cabinets, it's so warm and beautiful. I was going to get oak originally but then spotted the walnut in the show room when we went to place our order, fell in love and made a decision on the spot.

I do feel like I am constantly wiping it though, and DP is sloppy when doing the dishes. It leads to a lot of arguments as I don't understand why he wants to be able to leave water splashed everywhere - it would look manky on any surface!

A couple of months ago I accidentally scratched quite a long area with a tiny piece of gravel which had attached itself to the underside of a mindful chef box. It was heavy, I put it on the counter edge and shoved it without thinking. So I need to sand and reseal, and will try this Osmo stuff, I hadn't heard of it until this thread!

[Martysmarvellousmeals]

Had wood worktops for a number of years now, they have to be sanded/oiled and looked after to keep in good condition. Had a leak round the tap which as its very difficult to sand down etc, the area ended up turning black with the water. Managed to get most of it looking better with wood bleach. Also under/around the belfast sink has water damage, sick to death of the drips getting into the wood.

I hate hate hate the wooden worktops, as soon as I can afford to change the kitchen Im going to set fire to the bloody tops

[Honeyroar]

We have had them for about seven years now. I’ve rewaxed them about three times. They were from Ikea.

We just blot water spills with a tissue. We have a ceramic range, so often just use that as a surface too. If not we use trivets to put pans on. We have large clear glass surface savers by the kettle that add a bit of protection and aren’t noticeable. I don’t find the wood difficult at all, despite many people saying they would be, and we’re far from manic about looking after them. They look lovely too.

(Old photo from when the kitchen wasn’t finished, but gives you an idea)

[Honeyroar]

Ps, we were advised by a plumber friend that Belfast sinks and wooden work surfaces cause more problems than anything.

[Duckchick]

We have a dark speckled reddish granite (tan brown) in our kitchen which I love, it's brilliant at not showing dirt or limescale marks.

I love the look of wood worktops, so we have walnut in our utility room. I have to admit, we struggle to stay on top of oiling it so it doesn't look as good as it should. We have also managed to scratch it by putting keys down on it.

[paap1975]

As others have said, water stains them, fruit juice stains then and they need a fair bit of upkeep. I wouldn't have them again. It's also very frustrating when others use your kitchen and are not careful. I would say they were ruined within a couple of years.

[CountFosco]

I thought granite was porous and stained badly?

[VenusClapTrap]

I’ve had black granite for nearly fifteen years, in two different houses, with no staining, scratching or any other marks. There has been much abuse - Dh does the cooking, and he spills, clangs, plonks hot things down and cuts onto the surface, and then leaves all the clearing up till midnight. 🙄 Puddles and smears of god-knows-what get left for hours.

Not a single mark, anywhere. Current kitchen was put in by the previous owners, and the units are pretty dated, so I reckon this granite was here at least a decade before we arrived too.

[QuitMoaning]

I have marble effect Carrera quartz, white with grey graining. Had it two years and it looks immaculate. I take reasonable care of it but it is not difficult and it was chosen for its durability. I am very happy with my choice... I like wood but I wouldn’t take it well if it got damaged.

[opinionatedfreak]

I have quartz.

Love it. Looks good. No maintenance and for the first time ever I can put hot pans/baking trays on the work surface.

[NotMeNoNo]

I would add to pps, if you like a wood finish: dont have an undermount sink, use only Osmo/hardwax oil not Danish oil, olive oil or any other rubbish, try not to choose oak as it is prone to going black on contact with water/iron. We had teak worktops (reclaimed), nothing marked them at all. Iroko is also a very hard oily water resistant timber but check its sustainably sourced. Most people reporting problems may not have had the right protective coating.