Kitchen Island and Cart Buying and Maintenance Guide

Home > Kitchen Island FAQs

1. What are the benefits of owning a kitchen island or kitchen cart?
2. Why purchase a kitchen island rather than having one installed?
3. What features should I look for on my kitchen cart?
4. How do I choose a counter top for my kitchen island?
5. How do I keep my butcher block or wood counter top kitchen island or kitchen cart clean?
6. How do I keep my stainless steel kitchen island or kitchen cart counter top clean?
7. How do I keep my granite or stone kitchen island or kitchen cart counter top clean?
8. Will my kitchen island require assembly?

1. What are the benefits of owning a kitchen island or kitchen cart?

Every home owner knows that when it comes to storage, there’s never enough space, especially in the kitchen. If you love to cook, you’ve probably got a kitchen chock full of gadgets, appliances, tools, dishes, dishware, etc.., and there’s never enough room to store and organize it all. The best thing about a mobile kitchen island is that it lets you take advantage of unused space, add storage to your kitchen, and increase your counter work area, which is often desperately needed. The other great thing about a mobile kitchen island is that it can be the centerpiece of your kitchen design, and because it is movable, you can move it around or change its location to easily give your kitchen a fresh new look.

Kitchen Islands are vital to most modern home layouts that call for a work area to separate the kitchen space from the living room. A kitchen island, kitchen cart, or work table creates a versatile barrier, giving an added architectural element that defines two separate spaces simultaneously, and a work area where friends and family can congregate to join you while you work in the kitchen.

2. Why purchase a kitchen island rather than having one installed?

First of all, cost. Installing a kitchen island will cost you thousands of dollars, and you can’t take your installed kitchen island with you when you move. A mobile kitchen island will cost you a fraction of that price and it will go with you wherever you go. The second reason to choose a mobile kitchen island over an installation is flexibility. You can roll your kitchen island out of the way to make room for a dining table when you have company, or move it closer to your oven or stove to facilitate work. When you purchase a mobile kitchen island, you can experiment with where you want your kitchen island placed to find the best work arrangement in your kitchen. A ready-made kitchen island can be assembled within an hour, so you don’t have to wait for a lengthy construction project to be completed. Finally, many movable kitchen islands also double as fine furniture pieces, so you can use them both in and out of the kitchen.

3. What features should I look for on my kitchen cart?

Our fantastic selection of kitchen islands and kitchen carts makes it easy for you to find just the features you need to simplify food preparation tasks, organize your workspace, and enhance your kitchen décor. At Kitchen Island Co., there's a size and style to fit every kitchen - and every budget. Whether you're looking for a dependable kitchen cart under $200, or a top-quality kitchen island to complement the most luxurious décor, we offer the best selection, value, and service available.

Want a surface you can cut, slice and chop on without worry? Choose a butcher block kitchen island or butcher block kitchen cart for the most durable, dependable, and delightful cutting surface available.

Want a heat-resistant surface that's easy to clean? Choose a stainless steel kitchen cart or granite top kitchen island and enjoy the easy maintenance and elegance these sleek surfaces provide.

Want to organize your kitchen and keep it all tucked neatly out of sight? Choose a kitchen island with cabinets to bring order to your kitchen's contents.

Want to organize your kitchen and keep it all within easy reach? Choose a kitchen island with shelves to keep your favorite cookware and utensils in view and easily accessible.

Want some extra space that's there only when you need it? Choose a kitchen island with a drop leaf that expands to meet your needs, then tucks away until the next time.

Want a versatile workspace that moves with you? Choose a kitchen cart with wheels and you'll have the perfect surface for preparing, serving, or displaying your dishes wherever you need it.

Want a convenient place for smaller tasks? Choose a compact kitchen island or kitchen cart under 25 inches wide to get big results in a small space.

Want more room on your counters? Choose a sturdy microwave cart to get your microwave and other kitchen appliances off the countertop.

Want to complement your existing decor? No matter what you're looking for, Kitchen Island Co. offers the right base design, countertop option, and color — along with the finest craftsmanship and materials — to add the crowning touch to your kitchen.

4. How do I choose a counter top for my kitchen island?

Kitchen Island Co. offers a great selection of countertop options for your kitchen island or kitchen cart. Whether you choose a butcher block kitchen island , a stainless steel kitchen cart, or granite top kitchen island, taking the time to learn about the unique benefits, daily care, and general maintenance required for these different surface options can help you decide which countertop is right for you... and ensure your lasting satisfaction with your investment. Please note: Specific maintenance requirements will vary by product. The recommendations made here may or may not apply to the product you purchase. Please read all product information carefully and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

A professional-grade butcher block kitchen island provides the best cutting surface available. A butcher block countertop is durable and requires only simple maintenance, but because a butcher block countertop is porous, it's very important to clean it after every use. We recommend wiping the surface with a mild liquid dish soap and warm water then thoroughly drying the countertop with a soft towel. Many wood countertops can be disinfected with a mild bleach and water solution. Harsh detergents or scouring cleansers are not recommended for cleaning wood. Periodically applying a food-safe oil can help maintain and preserve the butcher block's appearance.

Choosing a kitchen island with a wood countertop adds natural warmth and beauty to your kitchen. Depending on the wood's finishing treatment, it may or may not be appropriate for cutting upon directly. Be sure to check the product description to determine whether your kitchen cart with a wood countertop has a food-safe finish. (You may also purchase a separate cutting board or butcher block to use on your wood countertop.) Because wood is porous, it's very important to clean it after each use. It's generally best to wipe wood with a mild liquid dish soap and warm water and then dry thoroughly. Many wood countertops can be disinfected with a mild bleach and water solution. We also recommend applying a non-toxic food-safe oil periodically to maintain and preserve the wood's beauty.

For a sleek, professional look, select a stainless steel kitchen island or a stainless steel kitchen cart. Stainless steel is strong, durable, heat resistant, and easy to wipe clean with warm soapy water. Because stainless steel can be scratched, we recommend against using an abrasive cleanser or scouring pad on your stainless steel countertop. It's also best to avoid cutting directly on a stainless steel surface because doing so may scratch your countertop and dull your knives. We recommend purchasing a separate cutting board or butcher block to use on top of your stainless steel countertop.

A kitchen island with a granite countertop adds classic elegance to any kitchen. Granite is extremely durable and easy to clean. For best results, clean your granite countertop daily with a sponge and mild cleaner. To remove streaks, simply buff with a soft cotton towel. To help prevent staining, most granite countertops are sealed with an impregnator. It's best to immediately blot up spills--especially with acidic foods--and reapply a granite sealer as needed.

Whatever you're looking for in a kitchen island or kitchen cart, at Kitchen Island Co. you'll find the best selection of top-quality kitchen islands and premium kitchen carts available.

5. How do I keep my butcher block or wood counter top kitchen island or kitchen cart clean?

If your kitchen cart has a butcher block counter top with a natural oil surface, you will need to either purchase a 3-pack of our Mystery Oil, or you will need to find pure white mineral oil locally. Your butcher block should be re-oiled approximately once a month to maintain the health and moisture of the wood. Use a mild soap and warm water to wash the butcher block top to remove food and stains, then thoroughly re-oil the top.

If your butcher block top has a varnish on it, then use a mild, non-abrasive and non-toxic furniture polish or kitchen cleaner. This cleaner will not soak into the wood because of the varnish. Please note: we do not recommend cutting directly on top of varnished wood or butcher block counter tops. Cutting on this finish causes it to flake up, and food particles can get trapped beneath the finish.

Most of our wood topped kitchen carts that are not butcher block will have a varnish on top of them, just like kitchen tables or other wood furniture pieces. We recommend using a mild soap or household cleaner to clean these kitchen islands. Immediately clean up food or liquid spills on butcher block and natural wood surfaces – these can sink into the wood fibers and stain the wood surface. Do not place hot pans, pots, or kettles on the wood surface, as they will leave marks.

6. How do I keep my stainless steel kitchen island or kitchen cart counter top clean?

If your kitchen cart has a stainless steel top, we recommend using a mild household cleaner, such as glass cleaner, to remove spots from the top. If your stainless steel has scratches in it, you can use steel wool to remove the scratches easily. There are several products on the market made specifically to remove streaks and stains in stainless steel as well. Do not use abrasive cleaners, or leave food and liquids standing on the stainless steel top—if the oxygen barrier is broken, the steel will begin to rust.

7. How do I keep my granite or stone kitchen island or kitchen cart counter top clean?

There are several great granite and stone cleaners on the market, but you can also use a mild soap, such as a dish detergent, to clean your granite or stone surface. Dust your island top frequently, and do not leave spills or food sitting on your top for very long. Be careful of the amount of soap and water you use as well—too much soap can leave unsightly streaks on your stone surface. Never use abrasive cleaners, such as bleach, or acidic substances like vinegar or lemon juice, as these can mar the surface.

8. Will my kitchen island require assembly?

Most of our kitchen carts require assembly, and will come with assembly instructions. Assembly in many cases will be quick and easy, and your kitchen cart or island should come with all of the hardware that you need to put it together. If your kitchen island or cart does not come with assembly instructions or hardware, please contact us. We are happy to assist you in getting the proper assembly instructions or the necessary hardware for your island.