Kitchen worktops oil vs varnish

[nancywhitehead]

Looking for some advice.

Our wooden kitchen worktops need sanding and oiling. I contacted a handyman (highly recommended and great ratings) who asked what kind of finish I would want, oil or varnish. He said that he has a lovely varnish that he used on his own worktops a few weeks ago, very hard wearing, and would I like to look at some photos and possibly go with that.

I always thought you weren't meant to use varnish on worktops but oil?

Is this handyman an idiot or does he know something I don't? Should I find someone else? Bit worried he might not know what he's doing!

Use Tung oil that was the instructions that came with me solid wood worktops. If you put so much as a hot drink on varnish it’s going to mark! Sounds a bit of a twit

We had wood worktops for many years and always oiled them. Originally they had 4 coats of oil each side 2 hrs apart, before installation. Then we just topped it up every 6 months with out sanding.
If your going to sand I’d put a couple of coats on allowing each coating to dry in between.
Varnish will eventually scratch and possibly peel in patches. Although we did use Yacht varnish once on a temporary wood surface and it was ok while we needed it.

We use teak oil and linseed oil. Mix it 50:50. It's fantastic. Doesn't make water marks and lasts much longer than worktop oil. Can be sanded if needed.

I should have said it stinks so do it on a nice day with windows wide open.
We apply 2-3 coats and wait until it stops being absorbed to know its had enough.
It lasted 3 years on our last kitchen and then we loved out. Didn't have to worry about spills so much either