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Why It's Important to Have 4 Cutting Boards
Having the appropriate number of cutting boards is essential for efficient and safe food preparation in your kitchen. By utilising different types of cutting boards, you can avoid cross-contamination between raw meat and other foods. For instance, wooden cutting boards are perfect for slicing vegetables and fruits, while plastic cutting boards are preferable for cutting raw meats and carving cooked meats. The following sections will break down which chopping boards are suitable for each job, along with all the information you'll need to make an informed choice and select the best possible option for your needs.
Main: Always End Grain Board
If you have the budget for it, a large end grain cutting board is an essential item to have in your kitchen. It not only serves as a magnificent centrepiece but also provides a premium cutting experience with excellent tactile feedback between the blade edge and board. This main cutting board is where you can prep all your fruits and vegetables by slicing and dicing them. The more prep work you have to do, the more useful your large end grain board will become, as it offers ultimate comfort and convenience.
However, it's important to note that the main cutting board should not be used for raw meat or carving cooked meat. For these tasks, we recommend other cutting board options to avoid cross-contamination and prevent warping of the wooden board due to sudden temperature changes. It's best to avoid any activities that could cause issues with board stability over time.
By caring for your end grain cutting board properly, it can last a lifetime and prove to be a worthwhile investment in terms of its constant and reliable use.
Secondary: Look for Something Portable
For your secondary cutting board, we have two recommended options: a medium-sized edge grain cutting board or a composite board like the Hasagawa board, which has a wood core and a plastic outer coating. When considering both aesthetics and performance, our preference leans towards the edge grain option.
The medium-sized edge grain cutting board strikes a balance between cutting performance and price point while being portable. By using hardwood and selecting edge grain, we can capture the performance while significantly cutting down costs compared to its end grain counterpart. This provides great flexibility without any major compromises.
Why Portability Matters For Your Secondary Cutting Board
Having a medium-sized portable cutting board is also beneficial in many ways. It serves as an excellent means of transferring prepped food from your main board to the secondary one, ready for cooking on the stovetop. It is also an ideal partner board for when you need an extra hand in the kitchen, cutting prep time in half. You wouldn't want your good intentions to end up with a shaky or, heaven forbid, a glass cutting board.
Your secondary board can be left on the countertop or stored away for easy access when needed. It provides great convenience, especially if counter space is at a premium.
Okay, What Material and Size Should I Go For?
You're ready to commit to updating your wood board set but want to make sure you make the best buying decisions.
We Make it Simple
| Main Board | Material: Walnut, Hard Maple, Teak, Cherry and Olive Wood | A Minimum of 500mm x 300mm x 50mm |
| Secondary Board |
Material: Walnut, Hard Maple, Teak, Cherry and Olive Wood OR Wood-Plastic Composite |
A Minimum of 360mm x 250mm x20mm |
The recommended hardwoods have been tried and tested. They are non-toxic and do not warp easily. Their naturally closed cell structure means that they do not absorb moisture as much, resulting in excellent performance. Unlike bamboo and glass options, wood will not dull your knives. While they may look great, they come with a higher price point. Which is something to consider.
Raw Meat Board
When it comes to handling raw meat, it's important to use a separate board solely for this purpose. Plastic chopping boards are recommended because they are affordable and you can easily distinguish between boards used for raw meat and those used for carving to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of harmful bacteria. A simple, flat plastic board that can be flipped over is sufficient; there is no need for extra features like juice grooves.
Although plastic boards are not as enjoyable to cut on as wooden boards, they are a practical and hygienic option. They are also very stable, allowing manufacturers to produce thinner boards that can be easily cleaned in dishwashers. Using a plastic board aids in reducing the risk of food poisoning and requires minimal maintenance.
Carving Board
On the weekend you want things to run smoothly so when the joint comes out the oven don't risk damaging your "main end grain cutting board" by putting a piping hot joint on top of it to carve. Instead opt for a mid-size plastic board. Use any type of kitchen knife without worry, chef knife or serrated bread knife. Plastic has a lot of versatile qualities that make it a good choice for this use case.
Plastic: The King of Convenience
Plastic cutting boards offer a wide range of benefits.
Affordability: Plastic cutting boards are one of the most cost-effective options available.
Durability: You don't need to worry about plastic cutting boards; they can be dropped or washed in the dishwasher without concern.
Availability: Plastic cutting boards come in a variety of sizes, from small too large, and are readily available.
Colour options: Want a purple cutting board? No problem. A range of colours are available and easy to find.
Maintenance: Cleaning plastic cutting boards is easy; they can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand.
Hygiene: Plastic cutting boards are ubiquitous in professional kitchens around the world for a reason; they are highly hygienic.
How Big Should My Plastic Cutting Board Be?
For most people, a minimum size of 360 x 250 mm offers convenience and ease of storage. However, depending on your needs, you may require a larger board. We recommend opting for thicker boards where possible; the average plastic cutting board is about 10mm thick, but we suggest using 20mm thick boards for better quality, even though they are a bit more expensive.