🖼️
The project:
I always felt our kitchen looks plain and lacks prep space. So I made cover for our cooktop that's also multipurpose - it works as an extra countertop, a serving tray, a large charcuterie board, and even a chopping board (though I won't cut anything on it to keep it looking clean and smooth)
- Materials:
- Specrite 1200 x 405x 18mm Golden Teak Acacia Multi Use Panel
- Gilly's 250mlChopping Board Oil (only used less than a third of it)
- Selleys 2 AquadherePVA Wood Glue Exterior Adhesive
- Tools:
- Circular saw (or any saw you have, I just find it easy to cut the long end of the timber panel using circular saw)
- Sandpaper (I used orbital sander)
- Clamps (as many as possible)
- Step 1:
I measured the cooktop and cut the timber panel accordingly.
- Step 2:
Once all sides panels are measured and cut, I glued them together. I used clamps to hold them in place. I worked 2 sides at a time (long end first and then the shorter end) becase I only have few clamps avaialble. I cut the short end in the centre and left a gap to serve as a handle for carrying the board.
(unfortunately, I got excited and forgot to take photos)
- Step 3:
Once all side panels are glued and clamps are safe to be removed (approx an hour), I let the glue dry and cure for the full day. Not sure if this is necessary but since I did not use any nails or screws, I just took my time to let the glue cure. After all, Selleys Aquadhere says in the label that once it is cured, it is stronger than wood.
- Step 4:
Then the following day, I sanded the timber panel. All sides. I used orbital sander with 120 and 220 grit to ensure that I get smooth testure. I also rounded off all the edges and corners using the sander. Afterwards, I clean the board with clean rug to remove all the dust and prep it for oiling.
- Step 5:
I used Gilly's chopping board oil to ensure that the board will be foodsafe. It has good citrus smell and easy to apply using a clean lint free cloth. I just applied oil and buff it with cloth until the timber stops absorbing the oil. Then clean the excess off with a separate clean cloth.
- Step 6:
Now it's ready for use as a cooktop cover or a serving tray if you flip it upside down.
Obviously, you shouldn't use the stove while the board is on. So you have to remove it when cooking which shouldn't be an issue since you can use it as a clean board to prep your food.
