Things to cover work surfaces in kitchen?
June 8, 2019 7:15 AM Subscribe
I have two questions about some kind of cleanable surfaces, one portable and one not, to use in my kitchen.
I own this kitchen cart from Ikea. It lives next to the stove and has proved fabulous from a storage point. However, the top is unfinished plywood, and even though we don't use it as a work surface, it needs to be wiped down.
Finishing it is not really an option, for a variety of reasons (I'm not sure the plywood even detaches, actually). What can I get that would fit/be cut to fit the plywood that would be easy to clean?
Also, I would like some kind of large thin plastic mat to use when doing messy things - I do a lot of cooking that involves grating, for instance, and bits of grated things fly widely. My mother had such an item - a very large pastry mat - but I can't seem to find anything. Again, what can I get that is either large and thin or can be cut to fit?
No Amazon, please. I have access to the usual range of big box stores and hardware stores, and would be up for ordering something from a non-Amazon vendor.
I own this kitchen cart from Ikea. It lives next to the stove and has proved fabulous from a storage point. However, the top is unfinished plywood, and even though we don't use it as a work surface, it needs to be wiped down.
Finishing it is not really an option, for a variety of reasons (I'm not sure the plywood even detaches, actually). What can I get that would fit/be cut to fit the plywood that would be easy to clean?
Also, I would like some kind of large thin plastic mat to use when doing messy things - I do a lot of cooking that involves grating, for instance, and bits of grated things fly widely. My mother had such an item - a very large pastry mat - but I can't seem to find anything. Again, what can I get that is either large and thin or can be cut to fit?
No Amazon, please. I have access to the usual range of big box stores and hardware stores, and would be up for ordering something from a non-Amazon vendor.
I recently got a large silicone mat from King Arthur flour which works well for doing messy counter stuff (though you can’t use anything too sharp on it). I think they have a couple different sizes.
posted by little cow make small moo at 7:45 AM on June 8, 2019
posted by little cow make small moo at 7:45 AM on June 8, 2019
I've always used waxed paper on my work surface when doing messy jobs like grating cheese or measuring flour. It can serve as a makeshift funnel and is eminently disposable when the job is done.
posted by DrGail at 7:47 AM on June 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by DrGail at 7:47 AM on June 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
I use this IKEA desk pad to protect wood surfaces. You can easily cut it to fit your cart.
(It’s kind of a milky-transparent, hard to see from the photos)
posted by The Toad at 7:52 AM on June 8, 2019
(It’s kind of a milky-transparent, hard to see from the photos)
posted by The Toad at 7:52 AM on June 8, 2019
Metro makes a shelf liner. It’s thick, pliable, clear plastic. Leave the original finished edge where you stand to prep. Searching for “metro shelf liner” shows options from Metro but “shelf liner” turns up more. It’s designed for those metal shelves that they have to use in lieu of butcher block. I do recommend using cutting boards on it as it will scratch.
posted by amanda at 8:17 AM on June 8, 2019
posted by amanda at 8:17 AM on June 8, 2019
Here's a link to a variety of sizes at the Container Store.
posted by amanda at 8:32 AM on June 8, 2019
posted by amanda at 8:32 AM on June 8, 2019
Flexible cutting mats are nice when they're big because you can turn them into funnels to get stuff into pans, or while washing them in the sink. Ones sold as cutting mats usually aren't as big as your cart, though. But you can get a sheet of the same material if you're willing to cut it to shape -- advantage, exact shapes to fit your kitchen.
Sometimes it's too much hassle to buy only one sheet from a manufacturer, but even then you can sometimes go through a local contractor.
posted by clew at 9:52 AM on June 8, 2019 [3 favorites]
Sometimes it's too much hassle to buy only one sheet from a manufacturer, but even then you can sometimes go through a local contractor.
posted by clew at 9:52 AM on June 8, 2019 [3 favorites]
I bought 15-20 old Corning tempered glass counter protectors at thrift stores to cover various surfaces around here.
They ran $1-5 apiece, and two of the big 16" by 20"s would cover your cart top surface tolerably well. I actually have used smaller 12" by 15" sizes for grating because the nubbly surface stabilizes the grater and tends to catch the grated shreds, and they are very easy to clean.
Get the glass ones, because they are so much tougher than the pyroceram versions, ironically enough.
posted by jamjam at 12:11 PM on June 8, 2019
They ran $1-5 apiece, and two of the big 16" by 20"s would cover your cart top surface tolerably well. I actually have used smaller 12" by 15" sizes for grating because the nubbly surface stabilizes the grater and tends to catch the grated shreds, and they are very easy to clean.
Get the glass ones, because they are so much tougher than the pyroceram versions, ironically enough.
posted by jamjam at 12:11 PM on June 8, 2019
If you consider yourself, or a friend, handy enough with tin snips, you could probably buy a 2'X3' sheet of galvanized steel for ~$12 at a big box store near you and trim it to fit the cart top exactly.
I would find that quite attractive.
posted by jamjam at 12:45 PM on June 8, 2019
I would find that quite attractive.
posted by jamjam at 12:45 PM on June 8, 2019
If you want to avoid buying more plastic, you can get a piece of marble or butcher block cut to size. Or a few, if you want coverage in additional spots. (Both are more hygenic than plastic, in fact.)
posted by DarlingBri at 1:34 PM on June 8, 2019
posted by DarlingBri at 1:34 PM on June 8, 2019
I have covered a table, although not a work surface, with one of those large rubber cutting mats. I'm very happy with it. In your situation though I would be very tempted to take DarlingBri's advice and get some kitchen countertop (you might be able to get offcuts for very little off whatever your local gumtree equivalent is).
posted by stillnocturnal at 1:40 PM on June 8, 2019
posted by stillnocturnal at 1:40 PM on June 8, 2019
If you go to a glass shop or window place you can get a piece of tempered glass cut to fit your countertop exactly. Glass is easy to clean and and as it's transparent. You could put a nice piece of cloth or a picture under it for decorative purposes.
posted by Enid Lareg at 6:01 PM on June 8, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Enid Lareg at 6:01 PM on June 8, 2019 [1 favorite]
My favorite kitchen supply place is fantes.com. The shop is wonderful and they have a thorough web store.
posted by sepviva at 6:10 PM on June 8, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by sepviva at 6:10 PM on June 8, 2019 [1 favorite]
Finishing it is not really an option, for a variety of reasons (I'm not sure the plywood even detaches, actually).
IKEA endorses finishing the top. Their website says "Can be treated with oil, wax, lacquer or glazing paint for higher resistance and easy care.", and in the reviews other owners report positive results finishing the top with polyurethane. Now, maybe that's still not on option for you for other reasons, but I thought I'd point it out just in case.
posted by Secret Sparrow at 11:24 PM on June 8, 2019
IKEA endorses finishing the top. Their website says "Can be treated with oil, wax, lacquer or glazing paint for higher resistance and easy care.", and in the reviews other owners report positive results finishing the top with polyurethane. Now, maybe that's still not on option for you for other reasons, but I thought I'd point it out just in case.
posted by Secret Sparrow at 11:24 PM on June 8, 2019
If the top is plywood you can treat it with finishes for wood countertops. It's just wood - there are layers of laminating glue under the top surface but the upper ply is wood. Probably some kind of softwood, as it's cheap, and well, IKEA.
I had IKEA beech countertops for a while and used the BEHANDLA oil finish. It was great. The wood needs to be completely untreated though, so the finish can soak in. Others have had problems with it, and IKEA seems to have discontinued it. There are other butcher block oils that can be used.
You can also buy wood bowl finish from woodworking stores that is food safe.
posted by sol at 6:47 AM on June 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
I had IKEA beech countertops for a while and used the BEHANDLA oil finish. It was great. The wood needs to be completely untreated though, so the finish can soak in. Others have had problems with it, and IKEA seems to have discontinued it. There are other butcher block oils that can be used.
You can also buy wood bowl finish from woodworking stores that is food safe.
posted by sol at 6:47 AM on June 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by AlexiaSky at 7:33 AM on June 8, 2019 [1 favorite]