Cutting boards are a staple in most kitchens these days, known for their effective ability to keep your benchtops safe from cuts and scratches as you prepare food. They’re also useful for keeping your knives sharp, as an abrasive surface can blunt their edges and make them useless.
Traditional cutting boards were either made from a simple wood or plastic, but with other factors becoming important to home chefs such as affordability, durability, and sustainability, there are now numerous types of cutting board material used.
When selecting a cutting board the material is the most important factor to consider. However, you’ll also need to consider the size, shape, and weight of the board and how it can work with the type of meals you prepare.
As your cutting board will be used almost daily in your home, it’s essential to choose one that will last for years and assist you in the productive preparation of your food. These boards need to be durable but also relatively soft to keep your utensils and benchtop free from damage, so selecting the right material is crucial.
Most glass cutting boards are crafted from tempered glass, and they can be stained or decorated to cover a range of designs. These boards are easy to clean and are resistant to deep scratches like other nonporous materials.
Tempered glass is a popular material choice for cutting boards due to their hard surface, however, there are a few disadvantages to using these boards.
The main issue with glass cutting boards is how their surface can damage your knives. While they usually have rubber stoppers on the bottom to keep it secured to the benchtop, the area of concern is how it’s affecting the blade. As glass is so abrasive and tough, this will quickly dull your knives and make them unusable.
If your ears are sensitive to harsh noises, a glass cutting board may not be for you. Some people find it comparable to nails down a chalkboard, and it can be quite hard to chop things quickly without making quite a racket.
Finally, safety can be a concern with glass cutting boards too. Thanks to their slick and hard surface, a knife can easily slip as you’re cutting and cause a potential hazard in the kitchen.
If one comes away from the bench top or table surface they will shatter instantly, so extra caution must be taken. While they may look decorative and feel durable, glass cutting boards are likely going to do more harm than good.
Marble cutting boards are known for being one of the most hygienic forms of cutting boards. Thanks to their non-porous material, they’re able to keep the bacteria and germs from penetrating through the surface.
Another of their advantages is the ease of cleaning, in part due to this non-porous quality. With a marble cutting board, you’ll simply need to wipe it down after each use to keep it clean. It doesn’t need any extra maintenance as wood varieties can, so it is handy in this area.
Aesthetically, marble cutting boards are stunning to look at. Having one of these on your benchtop can add an instant touch of class to your kitchen. However, they do have their downside as well.
Due to their tough surface, similar to glass, marble cutting boards can do quite a bit of damage to your knives. In most cases, your cutting board will outlast the life of your knives as it can dull them significantly with each use.
Although visually pleasing and long lasting, marble may not suit all types of kitchens. While the board won’t need maintenance, your knives will need to be constantly sharpened which can shorten their lifespan considerably.
Granite is another visually pleasing material choice for cutting boards, and one on your benchtop can add elegance and charm to the kitchen. As many people already have sturdy benchtops made from granite, it seems that it should be an obvious choice for cutting board material.
This is a popular modern option for cutting boards, and they have been known to last for many years. However, as granite is another form of stone, it does have the same issues as glass and marble in dulling your knives.
These cutting boards are easy to keep clean, and you can give them a simple wipe or wash them with warm water and detergent for a more thorough clean without doing any damage. Because they’re non-porous they won’t soak in any nasty bacteria the way a plastic cutting board might.
As they’re quite hard to the touch, granite cutting boards can be noisy. If you like to cook meals with quite a lot of fast chopping actions, you may find them irritating to use after a while.
While they add a touch of elegance to your bench top, their practicality compared to other materials does not measure up. For the best option, a granite benchtop with a wood variety cutting board placed on top is the most elegant look.
Maple has long been considered one of the top wood types to use for a cutting board. Wood cutting boards have many advantages over the harder and abrasive materials, and maple is an ideal example of this.
With a maple cutting board, you’re ensuring that you keep your knife and its blade as sharp as possible. Unlike the harder stone and glass varieties, these boards won’t do any damage to a blade and will help to prolong its life significantly.
Cleaning a maple cutting board is relatively simple, and the non-porous material of these harder woods such as acacia and maple mean that fewer bacteria and less water can seep through. They will be prone to some dents and scratches, but often this builds character to a chopping board that is important to some people.
Price is one of the major disadvantages to maple, though, and these boards can be quite expensive. Of the higher quality wood boards available, maple is certainly the most expensive. If you’re looking for a wood cutting board and want to stay within a reasonable price range, this might not be the option for you.
Bamboo has long been a popular alternative for wood in many areas, not just with cutting boards. Although commonly grouped with wood materials, bamboo cutting boards are not actually constructed by any form of wood.
One of the main selling points of bamboo, in particular with cutting boards, is the sustainability of the material. Compared to most woods, bamboo has a very fast regrowth rate making it ideal for a range of products.
However, according to How Stuff Works, there is also a downside to this material’s sustainability. As most bamboo is sourced in China there is an issue of questionable labor practices and the energy spent to transport the product to our country, cancelling out the sustainable factor.
In terms of cutting board quality, bamboo will require some maintenance. As it isn’t technically a wood, it can be quite hard to the touch and is prone to splitting and cracking. While it’s very tough on the surface, this can also be a downfall as it might also do damage to your knives.
Bamboo is an affordable option for those looking for the appeal of wood without the price tag. However, you will get what you pay for if selecting bamboo as this product won’t last as many years as a wood variety board will.
Another of the most popular wood varieties of cutting board, acacia is often labelled as the top choice for this kitchen item. Acacia is a high-quality wood that features all of the important aspects one looks for in a cutting board.
As a highly sustainable wood, it has the appeal of bamboo but without the need for international export. The rich grained dark wood gives a mix of rustic charm and elegance to your kitchen, making them ideal to use as a serving platter for guests as well as a durable cutting board.
Just like all wood cutting boards, there is some maintenance required from time to time with an acacia cutting board. These boards need to be oiled every so often to prevent them from splitting, but they will outlast most items in your kitchen if cared for correctly.
An acacia wood board is ideal if you’re concerned with hygiene. Most people assume that wood can harbour dangerous bacteria just like plastic, but according to research, wood cutting boards don’t receive cuts as deep as plastic. This means the bacteria cannot become trapped and will dry out eventually.
The main selling point of these cutting boards is the affordable price tag attached, which cannot be found with the other high-quality timber boards. Coming in at around a third of the price of maple, acacia offers a dense and rich material with the same standard of quality, at a fraction of the cost.
The most expensive of the wood cutting boards, walnut is a strong and durable material ideal for this application. With a dark and rich design, it looks stunning on your kitchen benchtop as you prepare daily meals with it.
Walnut cutting boards require some maintenance with oil regularly, otherwise, they can develop deep cracks. When these cracks appear, it’s easier for bacteria to enter through the surface making it unhygienic for preparing meals.
A walnut cutting board will be one of the best options for protecting your kitchen knives, as they are durable enough to sustain the blade but also soft enough to prevent it from blunting it. The thick timber is heavy and won’t move around on your benchtop, making it one of the safer options for cutting boards.
Caution needs to be taken if purchasing a walnut cutting board as there are some varieties sold which are constructed from endangered walnut wood. Always ensure that your product specifies its sustainability and where it was sourced from before buying.
While walnut does offer all of the benefits that the other wood varieties do, its price can be a turn off for some. There are other wood types available in cutting boards which can live up to all of its benefits without spending such a lavish amount.
Teak is known for being a very durable and water resistant form of wood, and for this reason, it’s a popular choice of cutting board. A teak cutting board can be a little pricey, though, but you will be guaranteed a long lasting product.
Visually, teak is a stunning wood. Due to its density, there is minimal scarring and scratching done to it when used for cooking. This is one of the standout features of these cutting boards and one that appeals to the sanitary advantages as well.
Teak doesn’t require the maintenance of some of the other hardwood varieties. A simple wash is all that it needs to stay clean, and there’s no need to oil it if you don’t wish. If you’re looking for a low maintenance type of wood cutting board then this might appeal to you.
The major downfall of teak is its sustainability. Teak has had many sanctions placed on its trade and import over the years, due to the harsh conditions in which it’s farmed in some countries. Before purchasing a teak cutting board ensure you’ve checked out all the relevant information relating to its origins and how it was sourced.
Another point of concern when purchasing a teak cutting board is the many misleading materials claiming to be teak. There are cutting boards made from African Teak or Rhodesian Teak, which despite the name, are not made from the same species of wood.
A cherry cutting board is another popular wood variety, known for being durable but not too hard to the touch. This softer texture will be helpful in protecting your knives from damage, but it may also cause more damage to the wood itself.
Cherry has a nice red appearance to it and a beautiful grain that will make your benchtop look amazing. Many of these cutting boards have been constructed with a mix of another wood so that their vibrant colors can be highlighted.
Extra caution needs to be taken with cherry cutting boards to ensure they don’t come into contact with too much liquid as this can warp the wood. These boards should never be submerged in water or placed in a dishwasher, just like the other wood varieties.
As another thick quality timber, cherry won’t move around on your bench top or table as you’re preparing meals. Provided your cherry cutting board has been crafted from end grain wood, this variety will last for many years.
If purchasing a cherry cutting board never go for anything less than 2 inches in thickness as they can crack. These boards will require regular oiling and washing, so ensure that you are keeping up with maintenance to give it a longer life.
Yes, but you shouldn’t. Although your knife blades won’t damage the granite itself, they can wear down the seal over time. Plus, the granite counter is hard enough to actually dull your knife. That’s why it’s always a good idea to use a cutting board even if you have a stone countertop made from Granite or quartz.
Citrus fruits top the list of foods that you shouldn’t cut directly on a stone counter. The acidity of citrus can erode the stone and create dull spots. The sealant on your countertop provides a barrier to protect against such issues. But over time, the sealant can wear down, especially if you’re cutting directly on the stone.
However, some people are dead set on skipping the cutting board. If this sounds like a member of your family, make sure they know that it’s a particularly bad idea to cut a few kinds of food on a granite surface.
If you’re looking for granite countertops in Naperville, IL or the surrounding areas, you’ve come to the right place. Best Buy Interior Finishes is your one stop shop for design and installation. Give us a call or reach out online so we can help you find the counters you’ve always wanted.
Raw meat is the other food item that you never want to cut directly on your granite countertop. The bacteria in the meat can find its way into tiny holes in the sealant. The same is true for wood cutting boards. That’s why it’s always best to use plastic cutting boards when working with raw meat. When you’re done, throw the board into the dishwasher for a thorough cleaning.
If your ears are sensitive to harsh noises, a glass cutting board may not be for you. Some people find it comparable to nails down a chalkboard, and it can be quite hard to chop things quickly without making quite a racket.
As they’re quite hard to the touch, granite cutting boards can be noisy. If you like to cook meals with quite a lot of fast chopping actions, you may find them irritating to use after a while.
The main issue with glass cutting boards is how their surface can damage your knives. While they usually have rubber stoppers on the bottom to keep it secured to the benchtop, the area of concern is how it’s affecting the blade. As glass is so abrasive and tough, this will quickly dull your knives and make them unusable.
Cleaning a maple cutting board is relatively simple, and the non-porous material of these harder woods such as acacia and maple mean that fewer bacteria and less water can seep through. They will be prone to some dents and scratches, but often this builds character to a chopping board that is important to some people.
Another of the most popular wood varieties of cutting board, acacia is often labelled as the top choice for this kitchen item. Acacia is a high-quality wood that features all of the important aspects one looks for in a cutting board.
Granite Cutting Board: The Perfect Addition To Your Kitchen
Should you use a granite cutting board?
The granite or marble surfaces is known as the dull, chip, and even break blades altogether. So you should be careful when you use it because the harder surface is the case for damage to the knife edge. After all, if you carefully maintenance it, you will use it regularly on your family instant use as a regular cutting board.
What type of cutting board is best for a granite benchtop?
For the best option, a granite benchtop with a wood variety cutting board placed on top is the most elegant look. Maple has long been considered one of the top wood types to use for a cutting board. Wood cutting boards have many advantages over the harder and abrasive materials, and maple is an ideal example of this.
What are the pros and cons of granite cutting board?
The granite or marble cutting board is different from the wooden cutting board. It is a virus and bacteria-safe cutting board and now find pros and cons of granite cutting board. 1. The granite cutting board is functional, pretty, and heavy. 2. It is harder than your knife surface, so the knife surface does not breakdown 3. Its maintenance is easy
Can a knife cut a granite countertop?
If you like to cut something in your kitchen directly, it is suitable for cutting the granite or marble cutting board surface. Your knife will not take any effect on cutting it. However, the cutting board is the most valuable countertop cutting board for your kitchen.