A cutting board is an indispensable kitchen tool. When it comes to meat prep, choosing the right one is crucial to prevent cross-contamination and keep your knives safe.
Look for a wood board with a tight grain pattern, which will be less likely to develop deep knife marks that could become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria. Also consider a set with color-coded icons for different food items, which will help you avoid mistaking ingredients and reduce the risk of accidental cross-contamination.
Choosing a Cutting Board
The right cutting board is essential to your kitchen’s operation and hygiene. It should be durable and long-lasting, easy to clean, and resistant to knife damage. It should also be a good fit for your budget and your knives.
The type of wood you choose can have a big impact on the cleanliness of your kitchen, since some types of wood are more porous than others. Avoid softer woods like pine and cedar, which splinter easily and are extremely porous, making them a breeding ground for bacteria.
Instead, consider woods like walnut, cherry, and maple that are both durable and easy to clean. Make sure to choose a premium end-grain board that’s at least 1.25 inches thick. These boards resist warping and will withstand dents from knives better than thinner boards. It’s also important to properly condition your wood board with fractionated coconut oil, which can help it hold up longer and prevent bacteria from accumulating.
Wood
Wood cutting boards offer a natural look and a great surface to chop, slice and carve. They are durable and sturdy with a thud that feels good to the knife blade. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Some have a juice well, tapered edges or handles and grooves for carving.
Wood’s porosity is sometimes feared to be unsanitary, but studies show that wood absorbs residual food-borne bacteria after manual cleaning with soapy hot water, trapping them inside, where they can not multiply and eventually die. However, a wood board must be properly maintained to keep it safe for use. This includes regularly applying a food-safe mineral oil, walnut oil or beeswax to prevent warping and protect it from stains.
Most hardwood stores and lumber yards have scraps of wood that are perfect for making a cutting board. Before you start chopping, do a “dry run” to check your glue and sand the flat sides of the board with 180-grit then 220 grit sandpaper to soften corners and smooth rough areas.
Plastic
Plastic cutting boards are a popular option for many home cooks and restaurant chefs because they are cheaper than wood, less likely to warp, and can be run through the dishwasher. However, it’s important to remember that plastics are not as eco-friendly as wood and can release microplastics into the food we eat.
Additionally, unlike wood, plastic does not have natural antimicrobial properties. As a result, it can be more difficult to sanitize and may develop deep scratches on the surface over time that can harbor bacteria.
For these reasons, it is best to purchase a separate board for raw meat and vegetables to prevent cross-contamination. Also, be sure to inspect your plastic cutting board regularly and replace it when it shows signs of heavy wear.
The reBoard
This BPA-free cutting board is made from recycled materials, including kitchen plastic scraps and renewable sugar cane. It impresses Sharon with its attractive design and sustainability, while its quality ensures durability.
This reversible board is a great choice for cutting vegetables and raw poultry, and its textured side helps keep slippery ingredients in place. It also has a convenient hole for hanging and saves countertop space. It’s easy to clean and dishwasher safe. However, it lacks a couple standard features, such as rubber feet to prevent the board from sliding during use or a groove around the edges to collect and contain liquids.
Whether you choose to leave your reBoard blank or transform it into a multi-coloured marketing masterpiece, this rigid paperboard is strong, lightweight and printable. It’s easy to transport, assemble and disassemble, making it ideal for point-of-sale displays, retail activations and exhibition pieces. Plus, it packs away flat, making it a convenient choice for storage between events.