Cutting Board Feet Rubber: Enhancing Stability And Preventing Warping In Butcher Blocks

Installing Cutting Board Feet

I usually avoid installing cutting board feet rubber on my wooden boards for a clean, flat look and two-sided flexibility. However, some customers request them for custom orders. After trying various options, I’ve found a reliable pair on eBay: durable, non-marking cutting board feet rubber made from soft rubber with metal inserts that fit #10 screws (I recommend stainless steel for durability).

When installing, I drill the holes first, oil the board, and then attach the feet. For added security, a drop of epoxy can be placed in the hole before inserting the screw, though I’ve never had issues with screws loosening.

Recently, a client commissioned a full butcher block cutting board similar to one I detailed in a previous tutorial. I decided to add cutting board feet rubber for both appearance and functionality, especially due to unpredictable weather changes in San Francisco. After a sudden shift from cold winter to warm, humid spring, my initially straight lumber warped slightly, resulting in uneven corners.

After extensive hand-planing and sanding, the block was mostly flat, but I wanted to prevent future warping, especially since the client lives in a different climate. Adjustable cutting board feet rubber will allow the block to be leveled over time and compensate for any future shifts in the wood.

Why you Can Trust Our Recommendations

We sought advice from several experts in the field, including:

• Eva Haviarova, former associate professor of wood science at Purdue University Wood Research Laboratory
• Brian Brashaw, former program director at the Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Minnesota Duluth
• Doug Gardner, former professor of Forest Operations, Bioproducts, and Bioenergy at the University of Maine
• Jennifer Boye, former executive chef at The Mansion on Delaware
• Michael Dimmer, chef and owner of Marble + Rye
• Ken Legnon, former sushi chef at Seabar
• Chad Ward, author of An Edge in the Kitchen

To identify the best cutting boards, we gathered recommendations from trusted editorial sources like Serious Eats. We also considered feedback from online forums such as Chowhound and ChefTalk, and reviewed the top-rated boards on platforms like Amazon, CuttingBoard.com, Target, and Bed Bath & Beyond.

Michael Sullivan, a senior writer at Wirecutter, conducted the most recent research, building on work started by Kevin Purdy, who first wrote the guide in 2014. Several Wirecutter staff members, along with Sam Sifton, founding editor of NYT Cooking, helped with testing and provided valuable feedback.

Leigh Boerner, former Wirecutter science editor, also contributed by researching the materials used in the boards, including types of wood, glues, composite resins, and plastics.

Why Add Feet To A Butcher Block?

Adding feet to a butcher block cutting board offers several practical benefits. First, they enhance the design, making the board visually appealing when displayed. Feet also improve moisture control by raising the board, allowing air circulation and preventing warping caused by damp countertops.

Additionally, rubber feet provide stability on slippery surfaces, keeping the board from sliding during use. As humidity levels change, wood expands and contracts, so adjustable feet can help maintain a level surface. This is especially important for long-grain cutting boards, which are more prone to moisture-related warping.

You can find various leveling feet designed for furniture and appliances online, or you can improvise with parts from local hardware stores. While simple feet work well, many creative designs are available to complement your project.

Materials And Tools

Materials:

• Walnut scraps
• Adjustable furniture glides
• Rubber pads
• Devcon epoxy
• Wood glue
• 16 wooden dowels

Tools:

• Miter saw
• Drill press
• Forstner bit (1 3/8″) for precise, flat-bottomed holes
• Drill bits (1/4″ for wooden dowels and 7/32″ for furniture glides)
• Mallet
• Sandpaper

To create the feet, I combined two types of hardware: adjustable furniture glides and rubber pads. Ideally, you can find a single piece of hardware that serves both functions, such as adjustable, anti-skid furniture pads or leveling feet. Since I couldn’t find an all-in-one solution locally and didn’t want to wait for shipping, I improvised by combining these two parts.

Making The Adjustable Feet

I began By Assembling The Adjustable Feet

First, I determined the ideal height for the feet. My goal was to have most of the rubber part concealed by the wood, with just a small portion exposed so the feet could still be twisted for adjustment. Additionally, the bolt from the furniture glides needed to protrude enough to secure them well in the wood. I settled on making the feet 1 1/4″ high, with about 1/4″ of the rubber visible.

To achieve this, I inserted the furniture glides about halfway into the rubber feet. However, I noticed that when pressure was applied, the glides sank further into the rubber. To prevent this, I filled the space beneath the glides with epoxy. The epoxy not only filled the gap but also locked the glides securely in place after drying, ensuring they wouldn’t slip further down. It’s important to ensure the glides are perfectly straight before the epoxy dries. If they’re angled, it could cause problems when screwing them into the butcher block later. After about 30 minutes, the feet were solid and ready for the next step: crafting the wooden legs to cover the rubber feet.

Making & Mounting The Legs

I tested different types of wood from my scrap pile to create the legs, but ultimately chose an off-cut of walnut from the same lumber I used for the butcher block. This worked out perfectly since the color and grain matched seamlessly.

To attach the legs, I needed more than just glue because gluing end grain to end grain is often unreliable. End grain, while it may appear solid, behaves differently. Imagine the wood fibers like a bundle of drinking straws standing upright—trying to glue just the tips of those straws would leave very little surface for adhesion, and most of the glue would be absorbed into the fibers, making the joint weak.

Making The Legs

• I cut the walnut scrap into blocks measuring approximately 1 3/4″ x 1 3/4″ and 1 1/4″ thick. The end grain of the blocks would form the top and bottom of the legs.
• From the same walnut scrap, I also cut a thin piece of wood (~1/4″ thick) to serve as a drilling template, ensuring consistent spacing for the dowels and feet in each block.
• Using the template, I aligned the drill bits and clamped each block in a vise on the drill press.
• I drilled a large central hole for the furniture glides using a 1 3/8″ Forstner bit, stopping at a depth of 1″.
• Next, I used a 7/32″ drill bit to create a hole through the center of the large hole. I used the Forstner bit’s divot as a guide. This hole would hold the bolt for the furniture glides.
• Finally, I used a 1/4″ drill bit to drill four holes for the dowels, positioning them just outside the diameter of the central hole. These were drilled to half the dowel’s length.

Mounting The Legs

• To mount the legs, I needed to drill matching dowel holes in the bottom of the butcher block. I located the drilling spots by dipping the tops of the legs in water and pressing them against the corners of the butcher block, leaving impressions that showed where to drill.
• Using a hand drill, I carefully drilled straight holes in all four corners of the block.
• I spread wood glue on top of the legs and into the dowel holes on both the legs and the block.
• After inserting the dowels into the legs, I pressed the legs into the corresponding holes on the block. A light tap with a mallet ensured they were fully seated.

Who Should Get This

A cutting board is a must-have in any kitchen, and most experts recommend having at least two: one dedicated to raw or cooked meats, poultry, and fish, and another for vegetables, fruits, or cooked foods. Having multiple boards is especially helpful when you’re preparing large meals for family gatherings or holidays.

If you care about aesthetics, a well-crafted wood board can be a beautiful addition to your kitchen, doubling as a serving piece that transitions seamlessly from counter to table. For those looking for something affordable and easy to clean, a plastic cutting board is a solid choice. If your current cutting board is warped, deeply stained, or full of deep knife marks, it’s probably time to replace it.

Plastic vs. Wood Boards

Cutting boards come in various materials, but our experts agree that wood and plastic are the most practical for everyday use. All our testers preferred the feel of a wood board under a knife. Chefs we interviewed tended to favor wood for personal use but suggested plastic as a budget-friendly option for young adults or new cooks, likening it to the disposable boards used in restaurant kitchens.

Some testers disliked plastic boards, noting that they felt unpleasant to cut on, and they didn’t like how plastic deteriorates over time. Chef Sam Sifton commented, “I don’t like the noise, and I don’t like how plastic wears down. You can sand a wood board, but you can’t do that with plastic.” However, plastic boards can be appealing for their low maintenance—Chef Michael Dimmer pointed out that you can “leave a plastic board in the sink overnight, and no harm is done.”

Plastic boards are particularly useful for prepping raw meat, as they resist staining and can be cleaned in the dishwasher or sanitized with bleach. These methods aren’t recommended for wood boards, so plastic is a good option to avoid cross-contamination. Still, as Sifton reminded us, “You’re not bound by health department rules in your own kitchen.”

Ultimately, choosing between wood and plastic depends on your cooking and cleaning habits. Here’s how they stack up:

Plastic Boards:

• Dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean without extra care.
• Lighter and thinner than wood, making them easier to store.
• Dull knives more quickly than wood boards.
• Knife marks and gouges show more easily on plastic.
• Plastic boards should be replaced every couple of years, as bacteria can settle in deep cuts or scratches (if a sponge snags on the board or your knife skips over grooves, it’s time for a new one).

All of our testers agreed that wood boards provide a better cutting experience than plastic.

Wood:

• Wood boards are gentler on knife edges compared to plastic, helping keep them sharper for longer.
• Knife marks and cuts are less noticeable on wood, as the fibers tend to close up over time, giving wood a “self-healing” quality.
• With proper care, wood boards last longer than plastic and can be sanded down when they start to show wear.
• Thicker wood boards tend to be quieter when chopping, reducing the noise compared to most plastic boards.
• Wood requires more upkeep than plastic. It’s prone to warping and needs to be hand-washed and regularly oiled to maintain its condition.
• Wood boards are typically heavier and thicker than plastic, making them more difficult to move and store.

If you’re curious about which material is more sustainable, we address that in the sustainability section below.

The Best wood cutting Board: Teakhaus Edge Grain Rectangle Carving Board With Hand Grip

For a top wood cutting board, we recommend the elegant Teakhaus Edge Grain Professional Carving Board with Juice Canal. Crafted from sustainably harvested teak, this board provides an excellent cutting experience. It stays securely in place and, at 15 x 20 inches, offers plenty of space without being too heavy to handle. While it does require less maintenance than most wood boards, it’s still more susceptible to moisture and staining compared to plastic. However, if you have the space and are willing to oil it every couple of months, this board will be a great addition to your kitchen.

In testing, the Teakhaus allowed for smooth knife motion, both along and against the grain. The teak is hard enough for clean cuts yet soft enough to protect your knife’s sharpness. While bamboo boards were too hard on knife edges and hinoki boards were too soft, the Teakhaus struck the right balance. Sushi chef Ken Legnon noted, “It’s durable but still preserves your edge long-term.”

Teak naturally resists moisture better than most other woods used for cutting boards, so it doesn’t need as much oiling. Its long history of use in boatbuilding (over 2,000 years) showcases its durability in wet environments. Teak’s low shrinkage ratio (2.0 T/R) helps prevent warping, which is why the Teakhaus held up better over time compared to our previous maple pick from Boos.

Facts

1. Cutting Board Feet: They are sometimes installed to add stability and prevent moisture-related warping. While many prefer reversible boards without feet, feet can offer both functional and aesthetic benefits.
2. Materials for Feet: The feet preferred are soft rubber with metal inserts, compatible with #10 stainless steel screws for durability. Adjustable feet can help counteract wood expansion and warping over time.
3. Weather Impact on Wood: Climate changes, like shifting humidity, can warp wooden butcher blocks. Adding adjustable feet can help keep the block level in case of future warping.
4. Installation: It’s recommended to oil the board before attaching the feet and, for extra security, a drop of epoxy can be added in the hole before inserting the screw.
5. Benefits of Feet:
   • Improves moisture control by allowing air circulation, preventing direct contact with wet countertops.
   • Adds stability, especially on slippery surfaces.
   • Helps level boards over time as wood expands and contracts with seasonal changes.
6. Crafting Adjustable Feet: The process involves combining adjustable furniture glides with rubber pads and using epoxy to prevent the glides from sinking into the rubber under pressure.
7. Wood Selection: Matching the wood used for the feet with the butcher block (such as walnut) ensures aesthetic consistency, and using dowels and glue reinforces the attachment.
8. Tools and Materials: A miter saw, drill press, Forstner bits, epoxy, and walnut scraps are among the necessary tools and materials for creating adjustable feet.

FAQs

Q:  Why should I add feet to my cutting board?
A: Adding feet to a cutting board provides stability, improves moisture control, and prevents warping by allowing air circulation under the board. It can also help keep the board level over time, especially in changing humidity conditions.

Q: What type of cutting board feet should I use?
A: Soft rubber feet with metal inserts are recommended for durability. Adjustable feet can be particularly useful to maintain a level surface as the wood expands and contracts.

Q:  What tools and materials do I need to install cutting board feet?
A: You will need tools like a miter saw, drill press, Forstner bits, and sandpaper. Materials include soft rubber feet, stainless steel screws, epoxy, and walnut wood for the feet.

Q:  How do I install cutting board feet?
A: First, drill holes in the board, then apply oil before attaching the feet. For additional  security, place a drop of epoxy in each hole before inserting the screws.

Q:  Can adjustable feet prevent warping in my cutting board?
A: Yes, adjustable feet help level the board over time as wood may warp due to humidity changes. This is particularly helpful for butcher blocks or large wooden boards.

Q:  Is it possible to add feet to any type of cutting board?
A: Yes, feet can be added to any cutting board. However, they are especially beneficial for larger boards or butcher blocks where stability and moisture control are more critical.

Q:  What type of wood should I use for the feet?
A: It’s ideal to use the same wood as the cutting board (such as walnut) for aesthetic consistency. Using wooden dowels and glue will reinforce the attachment.

Conclusion

Adding feet to a cutting board or butcher block can significantly improve its functionality and longevity by promoting air circulation, reducing warping, and enhancing stability. While reversible boards offer versatility, the benefits of feet—such as moisture control and the ability to keep the board level over time—make them a valuable addition. With proper materials, tools, and a bit of craftsmanship, adjustable feet can ensure your cutting board remains both beautiful and practical in any kitchen environment.

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