Installing and staining butcher block countertops may be easier than you think, and it can be a relatively cheap way to upgrade your kitchen space in just a few hours! We’ve added butcher block countertops in both our home and our rental properties – here’s everything we’ve learned about how to easily stain butcher block counters so you can do it, too. 

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Why I Chose Butcher Block Counters for my Kitchen Refresh

This butcher block install was part of our kitchen refresh project for the One Room Challenge. We were looking to replace our 17-year-old Formica countertops that were in dire need of an update. I knew from the day we bought this house that I wanted to add butcher block counters. I love the warmth that wood brings to a room, plus it’s a very affordable countertop option.

It was a bonus that we could easily DIY them ourselves. I also wasn’t worried about the upkeep since we’re empty nesters, and our kitchen doesn’t get nearly the daily wear and tear it once did.

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Purchasing and Installation of Butcher Block Countertops:

The installation went pretty well, considering I didn’t have to cut for the sink twice myself! The problem was that I procrastinated (remember, we were on a tight deadline for the challenge) and didn’t realize the countertops would take over two weeks to ship to our Lake House. Our only option was to find what we needed at a big box store to meet the deadline.

Luckily, we found the right sizes at Menards. They were only available in birch, which is solid wood but a lot lighter than I wanted. I thought, “Hey, I’m flexible!”—insert laughter here if you know me well.

A quick side note: If you buy from a big box store, make sure you lay them on the ground to check for any warping. We had to return two of ours when we went to cut them. We learned our lesson and made sure to pull them off the shelf on the final visit to check for warpage.

Once the counters were installed, I was so excited to have the beautiful wood I wanted. But the color of the birch was throwing me off. The light, natural hue, which I usually like, drove me crazy in the space. I tried to talk myself into loving them in their natural state, but I just didn’t. I was looking for more warmth and texture. The only solution was to stain them.

Yes, You Can Stain Birch Butcher Block Counters:

How to Stain Butcher Block Countertops

Here’s the (super simple) process I used for staining birch butcher block counters.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Sandpaper (80 and 150-grit)
• Butcher block conditioner (I used Howard’s)
• Sponge brushes or tack cloth
• Wood glue
• Wood shavings (to fill in seams)
• Wood stain (I mixed two colors- see below)
• Clean rag for wiping off excess oil
• Pure Tung oil (or another food-safe sealer like Waterlox)

Prep the Countertops:

• Sand the Countertops: If you’re restaining old countertops, you’ll need to sand them first. Use 80-grit sandpaper to remove any previous finish, then switch to 150-grit sandpaper to prep the wood for the conditioner. Since my counters were brand new, I skipped this step.
• Condition the Wood: I conditioned the countertops with butcher block oil (I like this one). This is an important step to ensure the stain goes on evenly and doesn’t end up blotchy. I applied the oil with inexpensive foam brushes and let it set for two hours. A quick tip: make sure your conditioner is compatible with the stain you plan to use, as some are specific to oil-based or water-based products.
• Fill in the Seams: Next, I filled in all the cracks and seams. I mixed wood shavings (from where we cut the countertops) with wood glue in a plastic bag. I then applied the mixture with my finger and scraped off the excess with a butter knife. This mixture blends in perfectly once stained—it works like a charm. The seams may be a little darker, but they will still have the same wood tones.

Staining the Countertops

Once the seams are filled and the wood glue is completely dry, it’s time for the best part—staining!

Before you begin, if you’re not confident in your color choice, test the stain on a small, hidden edge of the counter or on a leftover piece of wood. Or, you can be like me and stain everything before you’re sure you like it—not recommended!

I used Monocoat, which made the process incredibly simple. I only needed a single coat of stain, and I didn’t have to seal the countertops afterward. Highly recommended! If you choose another brand, ensure it’s a food-safe, oil-based or water-based stain.

Paint the stain in long strokes, always moving parallel to the wood grain. If you’re using an oil-based stain, you can paint the entire length and then come back to wipe it off. If you’re using a water-based stain, work in small sections at a time. Always follow the directions on your can of stain, as instructions can vary by brand.

Sealing the Countertops

Once you’ve achieved your desired color and the final coat has dried for at least eight hours, it’s time to seal the butcher block. (If you used Monocoat, you can skip this step!)

Pure tung oil, like Waterlox, is a popular, food-safe option. Apply it with a rag in long, smooth strokes along the length of the wood. You’ll need about four layers, letting each coat dry for at least 12 hours. The final coat needs about seven days to fully absorb into the wood, but after that, it’s time to enjoy your new countertops!

Finding the Best Stain for Butcher Block:

There are a lot of options out there for butcher block stain, including water-based, oil-based, and even straight tung oil, which is usually used as a sealer. The choice depends on the color you’re hoping to achieve, your budget, and how much time you want to spend on this project. Water-based stains are generally quicker to apply, but oil-based stains last longer and are more stain-resistant.

My First Attempt: Dark Tung Oil:

To keep the counters food-safe, I first tried using Dark Tung Oil to darken the wood. I have to admit, they did get darker, but they also pulled a bit orange, which I think is from the birch wood. Even after four coats, it still wasn’t what I was looking for.

Just when I was about to give up, I must have typed a new combination into Google, and an amazing product popped up: Rubio Monocoat! I’m the first to admit it’s not cheap, but it works, and once dried, it’s food-safe. Win-win!

The Final Solution: Why Monocoat is a Game-Changer

Why is Monocoat the best? For one, it’s food-safe once dry, comes in over twenty colors, and only takes one coat! There’s no need to apply multiple coats of stain and then four coats of oil while waiting hours in between. Just one coat and done—I think that more than makes up for the price.

I ordered two samples, Black and Walnut. I mixed the Walnut with just a touch of Black to get the perfect final color. Excuse me for a second, as I’m still happy dancing!

I genuinely love the final color!

Stained Birch Butcher Block Upkeep:

t’s not unusual for butcher block to lose its shine and look a bit dry, or for small nicks to appear. After six months of use, we are delighted with how well they are holding up with the Monocoat.

I have touched them up a time or two for nicks (I don’t bother to mix the two colors; I just use the Walnut), but mostly, I use Boos mineral oil every few months when they start to look a bit dry. I put the oil on with a clean rag, let it sit overnight, and wipe off the excess in the morning. I don’t consider that too hard for regular maintenance, and I make sure we always have a cutting board handy.

If you went the more traditional route, you could apply another thin coat of tung oil every four months or so, though you’re supposed to wait 3 to 4 days before using the countertops again.

FAQ’S

Still have questions about this DIY project? Here are some common concerns.

Should you stain butcher block?

This is entirely a personal preference. I’m clearly on the “yes!” side, but if you like the lighter, natural look of butcher block, there’s no need to change it. Plenty of people seal their countertops with mineral oil and keep them natural. If you’d like to keep yours in their natural state, I’ve found Boos Mineral Oil to be my favorite way to keep them looking gorgeous.

When should you stain butcher block?

I stained mine after installation, but you can also stain the wood beforehand. It’s recommended to do so within 48 hours of removing the plastic wrap to prevent the wood from warping.

What stain should I use on butcher block counters?

The most important thing when choosing the best stain for your butcher block is to pick one that is food-safe! Not all stains are, and if this countertop is going in your kitchen, that should definitely be a primary concern. I like Monocoat wood stain for that reason, but you can find other water-based and oil-based stains that are food-safe. Just be sure to check with the manufacturer.

Do you have to condition the butcher block before staining?

It’s highly recommended that you do. Conditioning the wood helps prepare it to absorb the stain and ensures the color goes on evenly. If you end up with blotchy spots and have to sand it and start all over, you’ll wish you hadn’t skipped this step!

Can you sand and restain the butcher block?

Yep! That’s one of the great things about butcher block countertops. If you decide in a few years that you no longer like the color, you can simply sand it off and start again. If you like to change things up frequently and are always redesigning your kitchen, this is a great option!

We loved how these turned out so much that we added butcher block counters to the recent Airbnb renovation we completed.

I went a tiny bit darker in color on these (a little more black) because the entire space is light and bright, but I love them also!

Both of the butcher block countertops are holding up very well to some really heavy use.

Until next time,

-Libbie

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:

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Updating the kitchen in our rental property for $500.00

A bonus pic for the cuteness factor!

This post has been updated on 1/10/24.