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What cutting board should you choose in order to keep your kitchen knives’ cutting edge intact?

The cutting board aisle is vast and it is easy to feel lost when you are faced with the wide array of cutting boards made of different materials: wood, plastic, glass, marble… There are options designed for different personal tastes and different needs! Which cutting board should you choose if you are looking for one that will keep your kitchen knives’ cutting edges working efficiently? This article will go over the different options you can choose from.

Which cutting board should you choose? The most common materials

Wood

Cutting boards made of wood are, without a doubt, the most common. The following lists the different types that are often available:

Beech cutting boards

This is the most common cutting board. They are relatively strong and do not warp much when they come into contact with water. Choosing a cutting board made of beech is a sound investment.

Exotic wood

This rot-resistant and very resilient type of cutting board is pleasing to the eye but not very ecologically friendly. Manufacturing products made of exotic wood, even if it is for a small-scale production, contributes to the deforestation of tropical forests in Asia, Africa and South America.

Bamboo

Bamboo is robust and completely waterproof and therefore does not get worn out easily. It is stronger than beech. However, it sometimes has a surface that is not perfect, which is not totally smooth and can appear to be rather rough or bumpy.

Whatever type of wood you choose, you should opt for a cutting board that is made of a solid piece of wood. Solid wood does not warp or split due to humidity (transferring splinters of wood into your food while cutting with a kitchen knife is possible when using a warped board).

Plastic cutting boards

Plastic cutting boards are often made out of one of the following two materials:

PVC (polyvinyl chloride): this nonporous and very solid material is flawless in terms of its positive hygienic qualities. Big disadvantage: certain specialists dislike the fact that it is toxic… PVC contains lead, chemical agents and phthalates that may contaminate your food through contact. All of these elements are harmful to your health and the environment.

HDPE (High-density polyethylene): this material is also nonporous and uniform and has similar features to those of PVC.

The American researcher Dean Cliver concluded that, contrary to common belief, cutting boards that are made of plastic are not more hygienic that those made of wood. This microbiologist working at the University of California even proved that PVC and HDPE transfer more bacteria due to the fact that the bacteria slips into the tiny cracks and divots made by kitchen knives and are not eliminated when you wash the board.

Tempered glass

This material is capable of resisting high temperatures, is easy to maintain and is dishwasher safe. Tempered glass does not get marked by kitchen knives and lasts a very long time. Be sure to choose a cutting board that has non-slip feet to hold the board in place when cutting. A word to the wise: the sensation you get while cutting food on one of these boards is different and may be uncomfortable. We advise testing one of these cutting boards before purchasing one. However, in terms of hygiene, you cannot find anything better. You should also be aware of the fact that very few cutlers suggest using this type of cutting board…

Marble

Marble is similar to glass in terms of its advantages but professionals in the cutlery world reproach it for its capacity to wear out kitchen knives.

Making a selection that corresponds with the type of blade your kitchen knife has

Steel and ceramic kitchen knives

In principal, all cutting board surfaces are adapted for being used with kitchen knives with steel blades. Your chances of breaking or damaging them are practically non-existent. When using a steel blade the different variety of cutting surfaces or boards to choose from is large: glass, marble, wood or plastic. When it comes to these materials there is nothing stopping you from using your most beautiful steel knives.

However, it is quite a different story when it comes to ceramic kitchen knives. Ceramic is rather supple but it can break easily. Ceramic knives are made of zirconium dioxide, which is a mineral that is similar to diamond in terms of its strength and abrasive qualities. This material is relatively brittle, so choosing a cutting board that is made of glass or stone is not recommended. Wood and plastic cutting boards are the best match for ceramic knives.

A new material used to manufacture cutting boards was introduced in the beginning of the 21st century – compressed wood fibers. This natural element does not absorb the materials it comes into contact with, especially water. It has a nonporous surface that prevents bacteria growth and does not absorb odors. The wood fibers are supple, keeping your blade’s cutting edge from dulling and can be used with ceramic kitchen knives.

Tips for washing and maintaining your cutting boards

In order to keep your kitchen knives’ blades in top shape for a long period of time you must also use and maintain your cutting board properly.

Clean your cutting board after you use it by following the directions below:

Wash it with dish soap and be sure to rub hard
Rinse it with hot water
Leave it to air dry or wipe it dry with a clean and dry kitchen towel

Quick tip: try using different cutting boards for different types of food in order to prevent the transfer of odors and contamination. For example, keep a cutting board that is for meat only, one for vegetables, etc.

Don’t hesitate when it comes to replacing kitchen utensils that are worn out, especially plastic cutting boards.

In conclusion, which cutting board should you choose? In our opinion wood is the best material and has the best features. It can also be used with all of your kitchen knives. Some reproach it for its unhygienic qualities… but it does not have any! In fact wood has the capacity to naturally eliminate germs. Wood is a porous material; when you wash your cutting board with water it sucks up bacteria through capillary action and these bacteria become inert within a few hours. Our choice has been made. What is your cutting board of choice? Feel free to let us know or leave a little comment about this article on our Facebook page! Thank you and see you soon!