Protect your kitchen knives while using them

A kitchen cutting board is is every bit as important as the knife you are use to prepare different foods not only to protect your kitchen counter tops but your knife blades as well.

There are three important considerations when purchasing a cutting board: its dimensions with regard to your available counter space, what it is made of and of course price.

Cutting board sizes

Small cutting boards are for preparing small foods, e.g. making small garnishes or cutting small protions of cheese. For larger cutting task every kitchen should have at least one large cutting board; the bigger the better.

If you’re more interested in a smaller cutting board a 12-inch is typcially the size of most utility cutting boards, however, there do come even smaller. They are available in wood, synthetic and bamboo.

If you have the room buying one that is as big as your sink would be perfect as having a larger cutting surface area gives you more space to work with (You can fit all of your cuttings in one small area of the board leaving ample room to cut other foods.), but not so large that you can’t wash it thoroughly.

The thickness of the cutting board is important as well as it needs to correlate to your height as well as your kitchen counter height.

A really thick block may cause you to bend your shoulder and elbow at an awkward position while cutting, i.e. get a board with dimensions that fits your environment and that you are comfortable with using.

Over the cutting sink boards

For the space limited kitchen manufacturers offer both wood and plastic cutting boards that can be placed or hooked over the kitchen sink.

Over the sink cutting boards also make clean up easy when dealing with messy fruits or vegetables such as tomatoes that produce a lot of juice.

Cutting board composition: wood, synthetic, or bamboo?

Wood cutting boards

Most wood cutting boards are made of hard woods, e.g., maple, walnut, cherry, pecan or oak, or a soft wood such as pine.

A sharp knife will cut into a wooden board to some degree making the cutting surface of your once elegant wood cutting board look worn, especially if you are heavy handed and do a lot of cutting. On the plus side the grain of the wood helps keep the food from slipping and you from cutting yourself.

Giving your wood cutting board a good oiling every couple of weeks is a great way to maintain it.

Oiling protects the board from soaking up too much moisture as well as help keep from cracking or warping. It also protects against the absorption of some bacteria. Always use an edible oil that has no taste but don’t use vegetable oil as it will turn rancid over time. Mineral oil is also a good choice.

Wood cutting boards can also be sanded to return the surface to a smooth finish but be sure and wash it thoroughly, let it dry completely, and set out for several hours to eliminate bacteria that may have been released from the interior wood.

If you have expensive knives and don’t mind oiling a cutting board every few weeks or so, then get a modest priced wood carving board.

If you are on a budget, you like the convenience of having multiple cutting boards and you don’t mind having to vigorously scrub your boards followed by giving them an occasional bleaching, then a synthetic cutting board is the way to go.

Synthetic cutting boards

A synthetic cutting board will typically have a slightly roughened surface to aid in keeping food from slipping off and from it slipping around on your counter top. Because of its size, shape, and weight, a synthetic cutting board makes it extremely handy around the kitchen.

Synthetic cutting boards are non-porous and non-absorbent making it easier to remove stain causing fluids as opposed to a wooden board. All you have to do is scrub and rinse.

That said, sharp knives will eventually carve grooves into the synthetic surface where bacteria can collect so it’s a good idea to quickly clean your board (both wooden and synthetic) with a good bleach washing followed by rubbing the surface with lemon juice.

Keep in mind that no matter what a manufacturer claims with regard to how easy a synthetic is on kitchen knives, there is no good substitute for cutting on a wood to help keep your knife blades in tip top shape.

Bamboo cutting boards

Bamboo cutting boards are a relatively new addition to the market. They are eco-friendly, strong, durable, and attractive.

Bamboo cutting boards have a hard surface that makes it easier to work with a knife. It absorbs less liquid than maple wood and is typicaly easier to keep clean because the knife cuts won’t be as deep or plentiful.

A bamboo cutting board they should not be soaked in water or placed in the dishwasher.

One of the best features of bamboo boards is that bamboo has a built-in natural bacteria killer called Bamboo Kun.

Utility cutting boards

Utility cutting boards are small in size which makes them great for cheese rolls, fruit or vegetables and also makes for easy storage when not in use.

Synthetic utility cutting boards are the best as they are less likely to slip around and they can used in places other than the kitchen counter top.

Utility cutting boards are also the perfect size for parties when your counter top is cramped for space. In fact they are perfect for just about any occasion where small foods need to be cut.

Cutting board Surface (top and bottom)

Grooves

Grooves are often carved into the edge of the cutting board to catch juices. Cutting boards with large grooves serve better for carving than for cutting.

I recommend having a separate carving board for carving and serving than the board you normally use for slicing and chopping.

Feet

Some cutting boards have feet however, this limits your cutting surface to one side of the board.

With wooden boards feet are not necessary since placing the board on a wet towel or shelf liner will firmly cement the board to the counter.

Depending on the weight and texture of the board this trick can also work on plastic boards.

In short, wooden cutting boards with feet work best as attractive carving boards or cheese boards.

Cutting boards prices:

In general synthetic cutting boards are less expensive than wood cutting boards. For around $50 you can purchase a set of synthetic cutting boards that are different sizes.

A good wooden cutting board can cost around $100. A 12-inch wood utility cutting board usually cost about $10-20. Bamboo cutting boards can be pricey.

A large wooden cutting board can cost up to $200 but it will last you a lifetime.

Other cutting board options