I understand the intent and results of ‘steaming’ cherry to even out and enhance the color of heartwood throughout the sapwood. The question is …. given natural cherry, does, over time, the color even out the same? I’ve turned some small pieces from cherry that contained both sap and heartwood. After what seems like a rather short time, these small pieces seem to even out quite nicely, in some cases so much so that a lot of the grain veriagation is almost lost. This is with a mineral oil and beeswax finish on the turned pieces.
The particular piece to which these questions would apply is a ‘butcher block’ a potential client has requested. From cherry – not my choice by any means but …. it’s their kitchen or whatever. Both steamed and natural cherry are comparable in price so cost is not an issue. Would steaming provide a more, shall we say, stable grain and color than ‘taking one’s chances’ with how it will age?
As a finish, I’m intending to use a food safe oil something like mineral oil, walnut oil …..
I haven’t really talked about this with the client yet, just been given the parameters and asked to call to discuss it. The piece will be 60″ x 30″ x 1-1/2″. I can get 6/4 or 8/4 cherry for around $US8.00bf locally in both steamed and natural. I anticipate ripping the stock to 1-1/2″ and laminating to the 30″ width. Dap Resourcinol glue.
Lots of issues to respond to, but the main question is if you were given this project, would you choose steamed or natural stock? After you’ve tried to talk the client into something other than cherry. (g)
Replies
All Butcher Block Tops I have made where of Maple but I don't see why Cheery would not work for a Butcher Block Top- I think some the Shakers used Cherry with Walnut in some Cutting Boards.
I have not used Steamed Cheery but have used Steamed Walnut the color seemed richer deeper looking I thought it looked better but I have only used about 200 brd. ft of the steamed Walnut .
Myself I don't think I would go to the extra $ for the Steamed Cheery for a top - I assume your will finish the top with vegetable oil ?
Hi Ron -
Thanks for the input.
I finally contacted the client-to-be about this. As it turns out, they bought a cabinet at Ikea and need a top for it for a townhouse they live in. Most of the millwork in the place, according to our phone conversation is "brown, like cherry..." so it remains to be seen if this is what they really want.
They're not dead set against using maple or another wood, however. I suspect a maple butcher block trimmed in cherry would be quite attractive in their place. Or at least trimmed to match the existing cabinets and millwork.
Yes, I would anticipate a mineral oil finish but here again, it depends on what the mineral oil does to the finish with respect to coming close to the existing millwork.
Everything hinges on cost, I suspect. I quoted them on both cherry and maple, the maple being approx 75% of the cost of cherry.
Thanks again for the comments.
...........
Dennis in Bellevue WA
[email protected]
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