What is The Best Material for a Cutting Board/Chopping Board?

By Gias

For kitchen use, the arsenal carries the essential goods including a knife and a Cutting board. And for cutting the edibles the right knife requires the right material-based cutting board. A cutting board determines the performance of the knife. That’s why a lot of people have been asking a question which is “what is the best material for cutting board”.

When buying accessories for cutting purposes, a knife and the cutting board are the most important things to buy. Also, special care and notice should be put while choosing the cutting board. A lot of things have to be in consideration. As the knife requires good care, by choosing a proper material-based cutting board your knife can perform better. 

So, let’s just analyze and explore which material builds the accurate cutting board for a definite knife. Thus our kitchen work will be easier and the important accessories will get their justifications. 

Which Material is not for making Cutting Board/ Chopping Boards?

First thing first, not every material-based cutting board can ensure hygiene and safety. A lot of cutting boards get dismissed by the users because of their trouble of not being sanitary enough. When in one hand, some people prefer the woods as the material of cutting boards, on the other hand, some do not prefer it at all. Also, some woods don’t go with the Dish Machine. Thus, it leaves a great scar in using wood as a cutting board.Unacceptable Material for Cutting Board

Nevertheless, apart from that, some refined woods deliver perfect performance as cutting boards. However, cutting boards can also be made of marbles. The combination of marble and knife is not what you want to experience. Marble boards are capable of making your sharp knife dull and ineffective. Marble boards are the best instruments for keeping the butter or flour dough cool forever. 

Stone boards and particle boards are also not worth it. Cutting boards provide a great environment for the knives. But stones and a knife’s stainless steel blades are not a good match. The collision between the blade and board should not be harsh which occurs when you take marble or stone boards for cutting edibles. From raw meat bones to squishy vegetables, stone boards are always ready to make your knife dull and eventually futile. 

MDF or masonite is also not suitable materials for cutting boards. Masonite doesn’t come with a thick gesture. That prevents the knife from chipping properly in the board and cut the edibles seamlessly. That’s why masonite is not the perfect material for cutting boards.          

Which Woods is Good for Cutting Boards?

Woods come from various trees. But some woods carry toxicity because of the emission of toxic glands of the trees. Making cutting boards of these trees might bring trouble and danger. That’s why woods from the acquainted trees are best for the cutting boards. Besides, some woods are not strong and their thickness is not suitable for the cutting-work. Woods is Good for Cutting Boards

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Apart from that, some woods carry big pores. These pores contain bacteria and other unhygienic issues. That’s why it’s important to know which trees meet the level of the premium wood with which we can make proper cutting boards. The following woods are the best choices for cutting-work in the kitchen. Let’s have a look. 

Beech 

This wood has a perfect strain power to make the best cutting board of wood. Beech assures a hardness of 1300Ibf at a time. It reduces the holes and pores of the wood and makes it smoother. Its invisible pores are resistant to bacteria. Besides that, the hardness scale offers all kinds of cutting-job to do without the fear of breaking. The thickness of the wood is also effective. The knife chips friendly on this beech cutting board. 

Maple

Maple tree provides wood that is well balanced with both softness and hardness. Also, maple wood can be formed evenly for getting the highest performance in the kitchen. Besides, the hardness scale of this wood meets up to 1450Ibf. The wood of this tree is more resilient and more stable. Apart from that, if you want to cut the raw bones on a wood cutting board, maple wood is the best option for you. But the wood requires special care as its yellowish surface is prone to stains. 

Walnut

With 1010Ibf hardness, walnut trees are not only perfect for making the handles of the knives but also tremendous for making a wood cutting board. If you are using a knife that is blunt, the surface of this wood is perfect for it. The understanding that a knife and a wood cutting board requires can be filled with walnut wood. Besides, the pores are pretty much invisible to this wood. It helps to have a smooth surface. And also it prevents the moisture greatly. 

Teak

This tree offers wood that meets almost 1070Ibf hardness scale. Teak is a little pricy because of the amazing texture of the woods. The impact of this wood is greater than any other wood. Apart from that, teak demands great care. Its surface gets shrinks if it’s not cared for properly. The shade of the wood is sophisticated. But the wood is less compatible with dull knives. 

Is Acacia Wood Good for Cutting Boards? 

For making cutting boards, acacia wood is the best in any way. As cutting boards have to be seamless and less porous for some definite aspects, acacia wood can fill all these gaps easily. Also, acacia wood is stable and resistant enough. Their hardness scale almost meets the same point as the maple woods. The wood has a fascinating look as well. Is Acacia Wood Good for Cutting Boards

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For the bushes like feature, the cutting board is also used to serve steaks or any foods. If you are concerned about the pores that a block of wood carries, then stop worrying. Acacia wood is so even that its pores are almost invisible. Besides, the wood is resilient, and oiling it on a regular basis can improve the performance of the wood. The pores prevent the bacteria to get stuck in it and thus maintain the hygienic issues. 

The thickness of the wood resists the knife to split it anyway. The fascinating look of acacia wood enhances the look of your kitchen. Hence, it boosts up the energy level of the users. The closed grained design evokes a sense of sophistication. The pattern also helps the knife to perform properly on it. For durability, the wood requires some special preservation and proper cleaning. Besides, the wood is not so pricy as maple or teak wood. For its density and long-lasting service, it can definitely be said that acacia wood is a spotless choice for cutting boards.

Are Bamboo Cutting Boards Safe for Knives?

Bamboo cutting boards are of course a good choice. In most cases, it is seen that bamboo is harder than a maple tree. The percentage of this hardness is about 19 which is huge. However, bamboo cutting boards are premium in their standard. Knives are never hard on them. The wood is eco-friendly as well. Bamboo cutting boards are as strong as any other wood-made cutting boards. But bamboo cutting boards are not heavy.Are Bamboo Cutting Boards Safe for Knives

The blades of the knives chip accurately on the surface of the bamboo cutting boards. It doesn’t make the blade dull or blunt. Rather the friendship remains awesome from time to time. Bamboo cutting boards are also not high-maintenance. Proper cleaning with water is its ultimate demand. For a nonstop cutting-job, a bamboo cutting board never betrays your knife. 

Though the knife put little impact on the yellowish surface of the cutting board, the resilient formula of the bamboo fixes it again. Thus, a bamboo cutting board is never harsh on the knife even though the knife puts a stain on its surface. 

Are Plastic Cutting Boards Safe for Health? 

Plastic cutting boards are people’s favorite for some definite aspects. People think that plastic cutting boards are nonporous and thus they are the cleanest cutting board. It doesn’t carry bacteria. Well, in most cases, plastic cutting boards are performing too well as well. Also, the formula for making plastic cutting board is improving big time. Are Plastic Cutting Boards Safe for Health

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But the true fact is that plastic cutting boards are not arguable enough. Though they require less price and easy to clean and prevent bacteria, plastic cutting boards don’t perform well with the knife. Also, the surface becomes filled with stains of the knife which looks disgusting. The stains carry bacteria in reverse. 

So, it’s a myth for a plastic cutting board that it’s easy to wash it properly. Besides, the chemical that is used to make plastic cutting boards somewhat infuses with the edibles. Hence it can make a dangerous effect on health. Nevertheless, the improved formula is making amendments in making the hygienic plastic cutting board. 

Does a Wood Cutting Board Hold Bacteria?

Woodcutting boards are considered the safest option for cutting-purpose today. But it is also considered that not all kinds of wood can provide a great cutting board. Wood from maple tree or beech tree is the recommended option. Besides, the acacia wood is also famous because of its heavy workability and less weight.  Does a Wood Cutting Board Hold Bacteria

These wood cutting boards have invisible pores and to some extent, they are nonporous. These pores help to hold bacteria and questions the sanitary of the materials. That’s why some precautions are needed before you glide your knife on the cutting board. 

To some extent, wood cutting boards hold the exact amount of bacteria as plastic cutting boards. That’s why drying your wood cutting board before using is important. In this way, the bacteria die for the lack of moisture. But the plastic cutting board is a definite place for the harbor harmful bacteria. 

Wrap Up

In fine, cutting boards are a sensitive issue for the kitchen for many reasons. They have to assure comfort both for users and their knives. That’s why finding out the right material-based cutting board is not easy. As people’s choices vary in many ways, the material doesn’t affect some people. Some people find charm over good material and some will prefer the sanitary one only.

 So, it’s important that we get all the advantages in one package. Those who ask “what is the best material for cutting board” should follow the informative queries that have been given above. And if you are enough benefited, choose the best option to maintain the hygienic issues in your kitchen.  

About the author

Introducing Gias, an Engineer and Kitchen Knife connoisseur with a specialization in Japanese Knives. With over five years of dedicated testing, reviewing, and research experience, Gias brings a wealth of knowledge to the world of kitchen knives. Passionate and deeply committed, Gias has created this site as personal documentation of their unwavering love for kitchen knives.

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