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Had a wooden surface once which worked fine. However I did find that it made the room dark, so needed lots of lighting.

emmm, mammachef, i think you be right!!! and martino , depends, may look beautiful at first, but unless you like to spend half your life scrubbing down, rubbing off, sandin, polishing!!!! shouting at everything and everyone that marks it, then for me i prefer the easy life!!! would still love to have one though!!! ahhh, one can but dream!!!

wooden surface is the only way to go ladies

I think we have all had things fall out of cupboards that have been balanced by others tin on top of tin. Very sound advise MammaChef. I'm sure if I had a wooden work surface it would look like a crater by now.

Hi Pam

I have the most beautiful wooden work tops all round my kitchen and I don't mind oiling them. I use danish oil. Whilst they look supberb and my ideal choice regarding looks, I do have a few complaints.

If I lived alone, I would have no trouble with choosing wood, however, my lot never stop leaving something on the work top that is wet. Ie, overflow their juice with water or tea cup with the kettle and leave a ring or some drips. If the drips are left they usually dry but on occassion take the colour out of the wood. yes this will ALMOST always come back when oiled, only thing is, mine don't mark it twice a year, so I have to put up with a very tatty looking worktop or oil it frequently.

I also find, that although it was very expensive and hard wood, a jar dropping out of the overflowing condements cupboard will leave a dent and sometimes a lined dent to match the bottom of the jar.

I would say that while I love the look of it, I find it doesn't look its best all the time especially in frequently used areas and around the sink area.

I don't want to put you off, I just wish I'd known a little more about it first.

Thank you for your comments i am just off now to look in the local stores.

Pam 22, yes i agree with ArtAngelle, it's a personal choice. I use gas. I have used electric but for me gas is more controlable, less drying, quicker and less than half the price of electric ovens to use. I personally do-not like fan assisted ovens. Choose carefully. All the best.

Pam 22. In response to Pam22, gas or electric is a personal choice. However, if you can manage to spend a bit more and get an oven that self cleans (electric and fan with other options) .. I would recommend it. It will cost more, but for time saving .. it is brilliant. Mine is a Pyrolytic (spelling?) self-clean system, but maybe they have different names these days. Go for it.. !

Good luck with the installation of your new kitchen Sue B.!!

I would love wooden work surfaces all around the kitchen and think they are very practical as you can sand them down as and when necessary! I would go for it if it I were you.

We've compromised on a wooden breakfast bar that is the length of the kitchen (it's quite long and sits 4 people with plenty of leg room) and it's worked out a treat since we put it up a couple of years ago. I admit that I was a bit cautious about cutting on it so we got an offcut from the leftovers and has made a superb chopping board, strictly for veg as I think that meat needs to be prepared on a surface that can be easily picked up, washed and 'disinfected' on a regular basis.

Have fun in your new kitchen!

Just to say thanks to everyone who responded to my query about wooden worksurfaces. It's the first time I have tried a chat room and am amazed to have had any responses. If it's only a matter of sanding and oiling twice a year then I think I will go ahead - thanks Gaye.

I need to buy a new oven the one item i definitely want is a double oven for when the family comes for a Sunday roast, apart from that what would your advice regarding the oven be gas, eletric, fan? Thanks

Sue B, Go for what you really want otherwise you will regret it. It will be worth it even with the maintenance.

I love my wooden work surfaces, yes they do mark but twice a year you give them a light rub down with sandpaper and re linseed oil them overnight. If that is what you call high maintenance sobeit, but it is a nice thing to do. This takes out most of the marks, the smell of the oil is fantastic and they look like new again.

Get a nice thick end grain butchers block.they never mark and they will easily take a good hard scrubbing,Mine is made from rubber tree wood.Cost me about £45 from Churches china about 4 years ago and still looks brand new.
Dave B

Sorry, getting tierd, long day. choice and material.

Hi Sue B, The choose is entirely yours. Wood is nice yes it will mark. Wood itself is a natural anti- bacteria materia. To keep it clean just scrub it down with a good disinfectant. If you do choose wood make sure it's hard wood. If you decide against it get yourself a nice beech butchers block.