Cutting boards are a kitchen necessity that protects your countertops from unsightly scratches and damages. When you pick a cutting board for your kitchen, you want to choose one to make your tasks easier. A good cutting board should have a few important characteristics.
You should pick a cutting board that is durable and won't be easily scratched by knives. It shouldn't dull or damage your knives quickly and should be easy to clean and sanitize. Finally, a good cutting board should be easy to use. To help you pick the best cutting board, we've compiled a list of the top materials and features of cutting boards. Keep reading to find out more about 19 types of cutting boards.
Contents
1. Wood
One of the best things about wood cutting boards is how gentle they are on knives. However, caring for a wood cutting board can be a little more complicated than other boards. Many wooden cutting boards need to have oil applied to them to protect them.
With proper care, these boards will last a long time. Finally, wooden cutting boards are less likely to harbor dangerous bacteria than plastic cutting boards.
Check out this maple wood cutting board on Amazon.
2. Bamboo
Cutting boards made from bamboo are lighter than a typical wooden cutting board. Bamboo cutting boards are gentle on knives and biodegradable similar to other wooden boards. These boards are more environmentally friendly and sustainable than other woods. Bamboo trees restore themselves very quickly and are holds the record for the fastest growing plant.
Check out this set of 3 bamboo cutting boards on Amazon.
3. Plastic
Cutting boards made from plastic are common and easy to find. They can come with more convenient design features, such as being reversible or color-coded. Plastic cutting boards are also easy to clean, with many of them being dishwasher safe.
However, knives can cut into this material. Those knife grooves then become a breeding ground for bacteria. While they can need more frequent replacing, their cheaper cost makes it easier to replace them when necessary.
Check out this OXO plastic cutting board set on Amazon.
4. Silicone
Silicone cutting boards are unique because they are soft and are flexible, unlike other cutting boards. Their softness means that knives won't damage as quickly. Silicone cutting boards are also easy to sanitize. Do this by putting them in either the dishwasher or the microwave. Unfortunately, silicone cutting boards do seem to retain food smells.
Check out this extra-large silicone cutting board on Amazon.
5. Epicurean (Composite Board)
Epicurean cutting boards are made from Richlite, which is sheets of food-safe-resin heated and pressed into a cutting board. These boards won't crack or stain and is exceptionally strong. Compared to other cutting boards, Epicurean boards have minimal customization options.
Check out this wood composite cutting board set by Epicurean on Amazon.
6. Stainless steel
A cutting board made from stainless steel is a unique addition to your kitchen. These boards are easy to clean as they are dishwasher safe. They also aren't susceptible to bending or warping. Unfortunately, stainless steel cutting boards are terrible for knives. Not only will this cutting board dull your blade, but it may also cause it to slip more easily. This makes certain products more difficult to cut.
Check out this stainless steel cutting board on Amazon.
7. Glass
Glass cutting boards are an interesting choice. These cutting boards durable in the sense that a knife will do little damage to its surfaces. However, they are also fragile. One drop can mean a completely shattered cutting board. Glass cutting boards are also tough on knives, causing them to dull more quickly than other cutting board materials. Sometimes knives can slip on glass cutting boards, which can make them a more dangerous choice.
Check out this glass cutting board on Amazon.
8. Marble
Marble cutting boards are beautiful and unique tools. They are durable and won't take damage from knives. Unfortunately, this material is very tough on knives. Marble cutting boards are very hygienic and if it isn't too heavy, can be washed in the dishwasher.
Check out this natural black marble cutting board on Amazon.
9. Stoneware (Ceramic)
Ceramic cutting boards come in aesthetically pleasing and elegant designs. These can make excellent serving boards or decoration pieces in a kitchen. Unfortunately, stoneware cutting boards are fragile and can easily crack or chip. They are also hard on knives causing them to dull quickly.
Check out this floral stoneware cutting board on Amazon.
10. Granite
Granite cutting boards are another unique-looking cutting board. These stand up well to knives and will take minimal damage. They are also heat resistant, which means hot pans are less of a worry. Like other hard surfaces, granite cutting boards are awful for knives. They will blunt them very quickly.
Check out this gray granite cutting board on Amazon.
11. Non-Slip
Having a cutting board move around while handling knives is dangerous; non-slip cutting boards eliminate that danger. Non-slip boards can come in different materials. Wooden, glass, and other hard surface cutting boards often come with little legs or rubber corners to prevent slipping. Overall ease will vary depending on the material made, but overall non-slip cutting boards are incredibly convenient.
Check out this non-slip gripper cutting board on Amazon.
12. Personalized
The most common material for personalized cutting boards is wood. However, other materials can be used. These are great decoration pieces as well as serving boards. A personalized cutting board can make a kitchen feel more customized. There are no hygienic benefits to this type of board; all the benefits are strictly cosmetic.
Check out this customizable cutting board on Amazon.
13. Color-coded
Most color-coded cutting boards are plastic or silicone. Color-coded boards have a variety of fun designs and color combinations. The great thing about these boards is it helps remind people which boards need to be cleaned more thoroughly. This can help prevent food contamination.
Check out this color-coded cutting board set on Amazon.
14. Over-the-Edge
These cutting boards can be made from various materials, but they are most commonly found in wood or plastic. Over-the-edge boards have a lip on one side that secures the cutting board to the counter. It can also be used as a drainage feature, forcing all liquid to drain down one side. This interesting design can make the board a little more difficult to store than a flat cutting board.
Check out this counter edge bamboo cutting board on Amazon.
15. Juice groove
Cutting boards with juice grooves include bamboo, wooden, and plastic boards. Juice grooves catch and contain any juices that come from the items that you're cutting. When cleaning a board with a juice groove, it's imperative to clean the groove well. Otherwise, this is a beneficial addition to cutting boards.
Check out this wood cutting board with a deep juice groove on Amazon.
16. Reversible
You aren't able to use the front and backside of all cutting boards. With a reversible cutting board, you can have two different surfaces on one board. This means you can use one side for meats and the over side for vegetables. It's also a great way to save space. Instead of multiple boards, you can use a reversible one.
Check out this reversible bamboo and polypropylene cutting board on Amazon.
17. Dishwasher-safe
Whether or not you have a dishwasher-safe board will depend on what material cutting board you have. Prolonged exposure to the high heat that a dishwasher puts out can damage cutting boards. If you want to put your cutting board in the dishwasher, it's best to make sure it specifies that it's safe to do so. This feature makes clean up much easier than if you had to wash it by hand.
Check out this BPA-free dishwasher-safe cutting board on Amazon.
18. Flexible
Flexible cutting boards are typically made from either silicone or plastic. Depending on the quality of the cutting board, these can sometimes feel flimsy. However, transferring items from the cutting board is more manageable and spills are less likely because the board bends. Flexible cutting boards are lightweight and are durable without causing too much damage to knives.
Check out this set of 3 flexible cutting boards on Amazon.
19. Round
Many cutting boards are rectangular shapes; however, there are different options. The other most common shape is a circle. These cutting boards look interesting and can double as a serving tray. The different shape can make transferring food a little more complicated. Circular boards are available in other materials and sizes. Whether a circle cutting board works better is a matter of personal preference.
Check out this round bamboo cutting board on Amazon.
In Closing
Cutting boards are an essential part of any kitchen. They protect counters from scratches and should be washed of any bacteria they come into contact with. There are many materials you can find cutting boards in. Whether you pick a classic wood cutting board or a unique marble board, ensure your decision will compliment your kitchen while being gentle on your knives.
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