Kitchen - oak work surfaces Yay ot nay?

[WetAugust]

They look nice but they seem to need maintenance in contrast to other surfaces are just wipe clean.

If I did plump for oak is it a case of the thicker the better? Because the 27mm thinnish ones do look good to me

Some seem to ne oak stave - is there anything I should look out for?

Thank you

[RedBushedT]

Oops! Sorry, I didn't even notice the fish/dish typo! That is rather confusing..

[Jaynebxl]

I started a post recently about this because I was hating our worktops. I discovered from the thread that I was using the wrong oil and am now waiting for a delivery of the hard wax stuff. Hoping that changes my opinion.

On another note I see people on here have referred to a Belfast sink. Is that the same thing as a butler sink?

[primallass]

They are not hard to keep looking nice at all. Once a year-ish we give them a sand and a few new coats of oil. It's like having a new kitchen. This is our third kitchen with wooden work tops.

[WetAugust]

Those of you who say they are easy to maintain..

what sort of sink do you have?

Because the sort of sink I am planning is not an under the surface level sink/ It's an inset sink and I can imagine having difficulty getting the oil under the stainless steel.

[Capitola]

What is the difference between Belfast and Butler? We have one, don't know which.

[primallass]

We have an Ikea Domjso sink.Just use a brush or wrap the cloth round a flat screwdriver to go under the sink edge.

[MummytoMog]

I put the cheapo beech worktops from Ikea into my last kitchen. Oiled it with the Ikea oil once a year or so (and chucked a bit of olive oil on any bits that looked dry). Was completely fine. Burnt a bit with a hot pan - sanded it back, oiled and it was fine half an hour later. Same with careless knife cuts (although why the heck you would cut on a work surface I don't know). We're going to put the same worksurface into our new kitchen as well, although I had not realised you need to protect near a dishwasher! Good catch Mumsnet.

[Tizwozliz]

We just oiled under the sink and the cut edges before putting the sink in. The sink is siliconed in place so don't need to oil under it when re-oiling.

(assuming I've understood what you mean by inset sink right)

[WetAugust]

Thank you all.

[Jaynebxl]

Capitola I've found the answer to the question both you and I were asking! A Belfast sink is a butler sink with an overflow in it!

blog.specifinder.com/2011/10/10/whats-the-difference-between-a-belfast-sink-and-a-butler-sink/

[WetAugust]

^^ Good quiz question

[Jaynebxl]

Ooh yes! Now imagine if any of us turn up at our local pub quiz this week and that comes up as one of the questions. We'd all be looking around for the MN scarf and asking if they stock pom bears!

[WetAugust]

LOL