Slice, dice, and protect your counters with a cutting board
When you’re slicing, dicing, and mincing, a cutting board will be a buffer between the blade of your knife and your kitchen countertop. While the main purpose of a cutting board is to protect your counters during food prep, they come in a variety of styles to complement your kitchen style.
Why do you need a cutting board?
A cutting board is one of the most common items you can find in a kitchen. It’s basic function is to protect your countertops from the blade of your knife while doing food prep, but there are different styles of cutting board to make all types of food prep easier.
Wood cutting board
A wood cutting board is one of the most popular types of chopping board. Wood cutting boards come in a variety of shapes, wood grains, and styles. They are great for cutting up fruit, vegetables, and mincing garlic.
Keep in mind when using a wood cutting board that it is porous, so it can absorb bacteria from whatever you’re chopping. To keep your wood cutting board in good shape you’ll need to wash, dry, and oil it after you use it. The oil will protect the surface of the cutting board. You may opt to also buy a cutting board cleaning kit when you choose your wood cutting board.
Bamboo cutting board
Bamboo cutting boards are also popular, and bamboo is a good choice if you want to reduce your carbon footprint while protecting your counters. Bamboo is great for most types of food prep, and just like wood cutting boards they require upkeep to keep them in tip top shape. You can purchase a cutting board kit to help you keep your bamboo cutting board clean, oiled, and free of bacteria.
Marble and glass cutting boards
A marble cutting board and a glass cutting board are good choices if you’d like to match your cutting board to your kitchen aesthetic. They are non-porous and won’t harbor bacteria so they are a good choice for cutting meat. Glass cutting boards are also dishwasher safe, so clean up is easy.
The most important thing to keep in mind while using a marble or glass cutting board is that, with frequent cutting, they may dull your knives.
Plastic cutting boards
Plastic cutting boards are almost as popular as wood cutting boards. They are the perfect choice for cutting and carving meat because they aren’t porous and won’t harbor bacteria. They are also dishwasher safe. Just keep in mind that depending on how often you use one, a plastic cutting board will show wear quickly
Difference between a carving board and a chopping board
You may think a carving board and a chopping board are one in the same, but there are a few significant differences between the two. While a chopping board may be single or double sided and is designed for all types of fruit and vegetable prep, a carving board is best for slicing meat.
Carving boards may have a trench that wraps around the board. That trench is designed to prevent the juice from meat you’re carving from leaking onto your counter, and it’s a good way to catch any excess juice so you can re-add it to your recipe if needed. Some carving boards will also have rubber grommets on the bottom to prevent them from slipping when you’re slicing heavy meat.
What should you look for when choosing a cutting board or chopping board?
Before choosing a cutting board you’ll want to decide on how much effort you’ll want to put into care and maintenance. If you choose a wood cutting board you’ll have to clean and oil it when you use it, but a plastic or glass cutting board is dishwasher safe and won’t require oiling.
You should also keep in mind how long you’d like to own the cutting board. If you choose a wood or bamboo cutting board you’ll have a board for the long-term. If you’d rather have a plastic cutting board, you’ll notice it wears out and needs replacement more quickly.
Should you choose a cheese board?
A cheese board is different than a cutting board in that it is meant for slicing and displaying a selection of cheese. The best cheese boards are commonly made of wood because most hardwood is non-porous and won’t result in adding unwanted flavor to your cheese.
When choosing a cheese board look for wood boards made from maple, cherry, or birch. You’ll also want to choose cheese board accessories including a spreader knife for soft cheese, cheese plane or spade knife for harder cheeses, and a flat knife or fork for serving.
You’ll find the perfect kitchen gadgets like cutting board, chopping board, or cheese board for your kitchen on Best Buy.