I think this sounds like a very sensible plan. AFAIK, the only real problem would be the possibility of bending the flanges when removing the sink.

Even if you have to replace the sink later, itÂs still a big savings overall with those two nice but inexpensive options.

IÂd probably keep the BB as long as I could stand it and use the time to find and afford the granite of my dreams.

I thought about that, too. Worst case is that the sink is damaged and I have to buy another one. Including shipping, my total on the sink was $185, so it wouldn't be a huge loss, but hopefully it won't be a problem anyway.
Another question for those who see this: should we hold off on the white subway tile backsplash until we have the granite installed? Is there any reason why we couldn't do it now with the butcher block?

I would hold off on the backsplash. Since you are planning on re-doing your counters the tile might be placed at a different height with butcherblock vs granite and if you find a granite you love that doesn't go with the white subway tiles you will be stuck. Another thought, if your granite counters take longer to become a reality than 6 months or a year, your taste may change or you may fall in love with something else for your backsplash but feel like you can't go to the expense of replacing both. It will also be like a mini-redo when you get your new backsplash and counters at the same time.

IÂd be tempted to do something cheap, easy and adventurous for the backsplash. Or nothing at all. There are many times that IÂve thought how nice one looks but couldnÂt commit to something like that for the final, final kitchen. If I knew it was only temporary, IÂd definitely explore my wild side. :)

The IKEA BB should be good for years and the sink too. You should be able to remove the sink and reuse it if you still want to, just have that possibility kept in mind for the installation options.

I would not do a backsplash beyond paint or something easily removed -- like the inexpensive panels made to look like tin ceiling tiles, sheet metal from the hardware store or sheet acrylic that you could paint or apply crinkled foil (and paint) to the back side of. You can also mosaic the acrylic sheets and screw them in place.

We just have drywall on the backsplash now, so it's no problem to go without one. I just wanted to confirm my thoughts that there could potentially be problems with doing it now before we actually get the granite. So I will hold off on that, or do something cheap/temporary.
Thanks for the positive comments on the butcher block, too. I really love the look of butcher block counters, but I think I'm ultimately just too hard on my kitchen to keep them looking nice for years and years to come. So this will give me a chance to try them out. I'm sure they will be a wreck by the time we change them out for the granite!

There was a thread not long ago with some photos of a really pretty IKEA butcher block counter top. The poster (jenswrens) had intended for the counter to be temporary, but ended up really liking it.
here's the link:

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread with pronomen photos

california dreamer - thanks for the link. Those are the exact countertops we are looking at, Pronomen Beech. Assuming I don't beat them up too much, they may very well become permanent in my kitchen too!

There are some georgeous kitchens incorporating butcher block counters with solid surfaces. You could possibly keep the butcher block and do your island in a complementary stone later on.

I do love my granite, but I could have loved other choices as well. Give time a chance and love it while you live it.

That Pronomen Beech is gorgeous. Makes me wish I'd known about it when we picked out our countertop material. The only butcher blocks I saw were way more than the granite we got. Oh well, probably would have wound up being too much wood (Ash cabinets, Oak floor).

What about granite tile?

Here is a link that might be useful: my gallery's countertops section