John Boos Block RA-Board Large Reversible Wood Cutting Board, 24"x18"x2.25", Maple

Listen, this is the Rolls Royce of butcher blocks. What you see with 0 or 1 star reviews for this butcher block are the same type of people who leave 0 star reviews on Le Creuset pans and Shun/ Miyabi Knives. These are high end kitchen items that you need to know how to use and take care of. This is an excellent Block that will last a lifetime and provide a nice cushion for your knives to extend their lives as well. I got a 24x18x2.5 which is literally massive and weighs approx 30lbs but provides for a ton of room for meats and veggies. It is also so large that you dont have to worry about putting towels down before using- this bad boy is not moving lol. Unless you are strong and can handle maneuvering this I recommend you get a smaller size board.Now... if you are buying this block and worried about it coming apart or cracking like other people who have reviewed it follow the below instructions and I can all but guarantee that it will last forever.The Boos Block comes extremely dry. I am not sure entirely why that is but it just seems to be the way that they come. For the first week you really shouldn't even use it, just condition it for future use. Also, you NEED to buy the combo bottle of Boos Mystery Oil and Board Cream, if you don't do not complain when the board cracks. Now first and foremost, wash the board off with warm soapy water and let it dry fully by wiping it down then resting it on its side with the grain vertical. Once it is dry, apply the ENTIRE, yes ENTIRE included package of Boos Mystery Oil to the whole outside of the board. The end grain sides (shortest sides of the block unless yours is square) are the most thirsty and you need to really saturate these sides with the oil, they can take a LOT- at least mine did. This is what people who have had theirs crack are missing. When I did mine, it got like 5 shades dark from absorbing all the oil. After rubbing all sides with a substantial amount of oil, stand it upright and let the oil fully soak in overnight. Next day, wipe off any excess oil that has not been absorbed. Repeat this process at least 4-5 days in a row, ideally 7 and now it is ready for the next step. After the board has fully absorbed the oil after 5-7 days, apply a layer of Board Cream and let that sit overnight to fully absorb, wipe off the excess. Now it is ready to use but you can repeat the last step again to be extra safe. Continue applying Mystery Oil at least once a week for the first month. After that every 2-4 weeks should suffice but just make sure the block is never drying out.

I've had 3 or 4 Boos boards over the years. This big one is a beauty. Board is flat and does not rock. Love the thickness. As a life-long vegan I cut a lot of vegetables and a large cutting surface is important. While I do use the Boos oil regularly, I don't do anything special to maintain the boards other than drying the cutting surface after use and have never had one crack. Recommended.

I bought this in February (it is now mid September) and was wary due to some of the reviews, but decided to give it a go. I wanted a substantial cutting board that looked beautiful for every day use and could stay on the counter. The size has been perfect for everything from watermelon to the meats my husband smokes to just chopping some quick veggies.It arrived in one piece and was well packaged. I was worried about warping or splitting/cracking, especially as we live in a dry climate (Denver). I oiled it daily for two weeks, alternating sides. Initially I liked a few times a day, as it soaked in the oil quickly. Soon it was more saturated and took a full 24 hours to soak in what I put on. (I have used walrus brand oil and walnut oil). After two weeks, I waxed it (also walrus brand) and began using it. For the first several months, every time I used it I would wipe it down with a damp cloth and then oil. If I wasn’t using it, I still oiled once a week.To clean, I just wipe with a damp cloth. I never submerge (it’s too heavy for that anyway!) I don’t put raw meat on it because that feels iffy to me, but anything else goes! Cooked meat juice will temporarily stain, but because it’s so well oiled, a scrub with wet cloth followed by more oil removes any staining.It has worn beautifully. I try to flip once a month as well as rotate sides so it gets even wear. You can see knife cuts but I like things that show they are well used. The oil helps smooth the cuts. At this point, I oil a few times a month for maintenance. I’ll flip it 24 hours after an oil and waxing when I feel like it’s time to rotate. It’s gorgeous and so convenient to have out. My in laws loved it so well, that I bought one for them. We will have this forever!