When the circular saw was invented, it became possible to cut clean slabs of wood for cutting boards. Softwood was the most available type of wood then so most cutting boards were made of it.
During the Industrial Age, the butchery industry developed and so the larger, extremely thick, and durable butcher block was born. They used hard maple wood which was so durable a butcher could use the same block for a lifetime.
People in the East used the strong and durable bamboo for cutting boards. In Europe, maple was the preferred wood while flat pieces of polished wood are preferred in Persia.
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A. Type
1. Cutting Board
Most people have at least one cutting board in their kitchen and use it for everything from chopping vegetables to slicing bread for dinner.
This board can be made out of many different materials, come in different sizes and shapes, and even be color-coded so you can make sure that you do not cross contaminate your kitchen.
Generally, a cutting board is about one-half to one inch thick, which will give you enough weight to chop but is not so heavy that you cannot easily move your cutting board around in your kitchen.
2. Carving Board
Cutting boards often have a juice trough around the exterior of the board that is used to catch the juice from meat when you are cutting it. This ensures that you do not end up with a huge mess all over your countertops.
Although originally designed to provide a safe place to cut your meat, they are also very helpful if you are going to be chopping and preparing juicy fruit or vegetables such as watermelon or tomatoes. The juice trough will ensure that you do not have a sticky mess to clean up after cutting your food.
3. Bread Board
There’s nothing quite the same as fresh bread sliced at the dinner table and if you want to be able to enjoy this treat, then you need to make sure that you invest in a bread cutting board.
Unlike regular cutting boards that you use in the kitchen for prep work, breadboards are significantly longer and they can easily handle the length of a baguette or other loaves. They will do a great job collecting the crumbs of your bread so you don’t have a huge mess to clean up after the meal is finished.
4. Butcher Block
Unlike cutting boards, which are considerably thinner and lighter in weight then butcher blocks, butcher blocks offer enough weight and thickness so you can easily debone and chop your meat without worrying about either damaging your cutting board or the food you are working on slipping off and falling onto your counter.
The larger your butcher block cutting board is, the less likely you will deal with it slipping across the counter while you are working on it. This ensures that you do not spread germs in your kitchen or put yourself at risk of injury.
5. Flexible Mat
A flexible cutting mat is a great option if you need a surface to act as a cutting board but want to be able to create a funnel out of the mat and then dump all of your chopped ingredients into your pot.
Because these can be bent and twisted into shape, you won’t have to worry about scraping food into the pot or into the trash without spilling. You can easily roll this mat into a tube that allows you to pour your chopped items where you want them to be.
B. Material
1. Wood
A renewable resource, wood is a great choice for cutting boards and is very easy to find. Softer wood will be much easier on the edge of your knife then a bamboo cutting board is, which means that you will not have to spend as much time sharpening your knives.
As long as you take care of your wooden cutting boards and oil them from time to time, they will be protected against warping or staining. Unfortunately, these cutting boards are not dishwasher-safe but when cared for correctly, they will last for years.
2. Granite
While granite cutting boards are incredibly gorgeous, they are very hard materials that will dull your knives quickly. They are much better used for rolling out dough than for slicing or chopping food items.
Additionally, since they are incredibly expensive, they are out of the price range of most people. If you do choose to buy a granite cutting board, it’s important to remember that you will have to sharpen your knives on a regular basis but you can use it as a trivet for when you take dishes out of the oven.
3. Glass
Tempered glass may look as if it would be a very neat and aesthetically pleasing cutting board but you are going to run to the same problems with this material as you do with granite.
Your knives are simply not made to withstand cutting and chopping on tempered glass, no matter how rarely you use your cutting board. It’s also important to remember that glass cutting boards often have textured surfaces, which can harbor bacteria and make you sick.
4. Bamboo
Bamboo is not a bad choice for cutting boards; however, it’s important to remember that it is an incredibly hard material that can quickly dull your knives if you’re not careful.
Any small cuts in the bamboo can also cause your knives to catch when you are chopping on this board, which can make it difficult to enjoy a nice smooth action while you are cutting.
However, because of how durable and hard it is, your bamboo cutting board is much less likely to absorb liquid than a wooden cutting board is, meaning that it’s just as sanitary if not more so.
5. Marble
As a cutting board, marble is one of the most beautiful options that you can buy but is sure to quickly damage your knives.
If you love the look of marble and really want to invest in a marble cutting board, then you are much better off using your new cutting board either to display an attractive cheese plate or as a trivet. It’s not worth all of the damage that you’ll cause your knives attempting to chop and cut on this material.
6. Plastic
While many people think that plastic cutting boards are a better and more sanitary option for their kitchens because they can be thrown into the dishwasher to be cleaned, they are much more difficult to get clean then a wood cutting board is.
This is because knives can easily cut into the plastic and leave small scratches on the surface where bacteria can grow and thrive. If not disinfected correctly and completely, this bacteria can easily get into the food that you are slicing on your cutting board and can make people sick.
7. Silicone
Unlike other materials that can be very hard on your knives’ edges, silicone is not going to dull your blade nearly as quickly as other materials. The cushioned cutting mat that is created from this material protects the edge of your knife so you don’t have to worry about regular sharpening.
Another benefit of a silicone cutting board is that the board itself is very flexible so you can bend it and dump the food you have chopped into a pot or into the garbage. Additionally, the surface is not porous and does a great job of resisting bacteria growth.
Because these cutting boards are non-slip, you will not have to worry about chasing it around your kitchen countertop or accidentally slipping and cutting your hand.
8. Stoneware
When you choose a stoneware cutting board, it’s important to realize that you are not actually going to be prepping food on the surface as it is incredibly brittle and will dull and damage your knives quickly.
These cutting boards are very attractive and can be used to display foods that you have chopped or act as a trivet on your table. If you do decide to use your stoneware cutting board to prep food, then it is important to note that you will likely have to sharpen your knives on a more regular basis.
C. Feature
1. Reversible
Source: Houzz
Unless you’re very picky when you pull your cutting board out to chop and prepare food, you may not always realize which side is up.
This is when it’s beneficial to go ahead and purchase a reversible cutting board, which will allow you to use either the front of the back without any worry of the appearance of your cutting board.
This means that whether you use your cutting board for preparing your food or use it as a cheese plate for a party, you will not have to worry about the way your cutting board looks.
2. Non-Slip
Source: Home Depot
Any time that you are going to be using sharp knives in your kitchen, you are always at risk of injuring yourself but there are certain steps that you can take to prevent this from happening.
While using a heavier cutting board is a great way to help prevent accidents, another important step to take to ensure that you are not injured is to invest in a non-slip cutting board.
These are very beneficial because they will not slide across your countertop when you’re using them so you don’t have to worry about losing your grip on your knife and accidentally injuring yourself.
3. Juice Groove
Any time that you are going to be cutting juicy foods, whether they are fresh vegetables or roasted meat, you are likely to have a lot of juice that will spill out of the food and potentially spread all of your countertops.
One way to combat this problem is to opt for a cutting board that has a juice groove along the outside of the edges. This groove is not so deep that it will make using your cutting board difficult but it is deep enough to catch extra juice from your food so you don’t have to worry about making a huge mess.
4. Dishwasher-Safe
Source: Wayfair
It’s very likely that at the end of cooking your meal, the last thing you are going to want to do is to stand around and wash dishes, which is why purchasing a cutting board that is dishwasher-safe is a great idea.
This means that when you are cleaning up your kitchen, you can simply put your cutting board into the dishwasher and rely on this appliance to get it clean.
Because your dishwasher is able to reach such high temperatures, it will also be able to kill any bacteria or germs that are lingering on your cutting board so that you and your family do not get sick.
5. Knife Included
Source: Wayfair
To make it as easy as possible to buy all of the equipment and accessories that you will need to cook in your kitchen, it is a good idea to look for a cutting board that has an included knife.
It is very likely that if you look for a cutting board with this feature, you will find a set where the cutting board and the knives are stored together, which will save you a lot of space on your countertop and ensure that you always have the right knife for the job whenever you are going to be cooking.
6. Personalized
Source: Etsy
A personalized cutting board is a wonderful way to show someone that you have been thinking about him or her and it will remind him or her of your love each time that he or she uses the cutting board.
While there are some milestone events in a person’s life where is more common to give a personalized cutting board, such as getting married, graduating college, or setting up a first apartment, this gift is welcome at any time.
Generally speaking, you are much more likely to find a wooden cutting board that can be personalized as a design, last name, or phrase can easily be burned into the surface.
This means that you won’t ever have to worry about paint scratching off or fading and the cutting board will always look as good as new.
7. Handles
If you want to be able to easily control your cutting board while you are using it or carry it around when you’re done, then it’s smart to look for a cutting board that has handles.
These will make it very easy to move your cutting board from one place to another in the kitchen without having to worry about using two hands no matter how bulky it is.
8. Set
Source: Houzz
A set of cutting boards is a great way to ensure that your kitchen looks very cohesive. Sets will generally come with cutting boards in various sizes so you don’t have to worry about having one that is too small for your needs.
Additionally, a set of cutting boards looks very nice when stored together. It is possible to buy different cutting boards and mix and match but for a cohesive look and one that you are sure to enjoy, choosing a set is a great idea.
9. Color-Coded
Source: Houzz
It’s always a good idea to have more than one cutting board so you don’t have to worry about cross-contamination in the kitchen. Having a cutting board specifically for meat and another one for fresh fruits and vegetables will keep any germs from your meat from getting into your other foods.
While you can buy these cutting boards separately, it’s much more common to buy them in a set, which will give you an option of sizes or even colors to choose from.
Because your cutting boards will be color-coded, you will never have to worry about picking up the wrong one for your needs.
This is especially important if you are worried about how clean you’re able to get your cutting boards or have members of the family who help you cook and you are worried about whether not they will be careful with which cutting board they choose.
10. Over-the-Sink
Source: Hayneedle
Many people love to be able to push scraps and food directly into the sink when they’re cutting as this will save them time and energy during cleanup later.
Instead of using a cutting board on the countertop and then having to transfer scraps to the sink, when you opt for a cutting board that is large enough to go directly over the sink, you will be able to push scraps and ends directly off to the side and into the sink.
Another benefit of these types of cutting boards is that any juice can drain directly into the sink instead of pooling on top of the counter
11. Over-the-Edge
Source: Hayneedle
It’s always a concern that your cutting board is going to slip when you’re working with it and it’s important to make sure that you are never in danger of cutting or injuring yourself.
Some cutting boards have a lip on the end that will catch on the edge of your countertop when you are working so that you don’t have to worry about keeping your cutting board in one position.
The lip will act as a natural stop so that your cutting board is prevented from moving and will prevent you from slipping.
D. Shape
1. Rectangle
Probably the most popular shape for a cutting board is a rectangle. These can come in many sizes but a large enough rectangle will offer you all of the space that you need for cutting needs.
Because you can turn them either way, you can push food off to the top when you are finished wrapping it or turn the rectangle lengthwise so you have plenty of room for chopping.
Many rectangles actually have rounded corners so that they look more aesthetically pleasing and you do not have to worry about knocking your hand against the corner when cutting.
2. Round
Source: Etsy
While incredibly attractive, round cutting boards do not offer you a lot of space for actually chopping and preparing food. They are often used for displaying food on a table due to their attractive shape and the way they will improve the appearance of your meal.
If you do decide to use a round cutting board for chopping and meal prep, it’s important that it is large enough that you have enough space for the blade of the knife as well as your hands and do not put yourself at risk of injury.
3. Square
Source: Houzz
While a square cutting board may be very aesthetically pleasing, this is not the easiest shape to work with. Because they are not long enough to offer you plenty of room for chopping and slicing, it’s easy to feel as though you are cramped and unable to work to the best of your ability.
4. Novelty
Source: Etsy
Cutting boards can come in novelty shapes, which means that they can be anything from the outline of a person’s home state to his or her favorite animal.
While these are a very fun addition to the kitchen and can make a great conversation piece, novelty cutting boards can be tricky to use since they do not offer a lot of space.
If you do decide to choose a novelty cutting board, make sure that it is large enough that you can use the board and still have room for the food that you have chopped.
5. Half-Circle
Source: Houzz
A cutting board can be pushed up against the wall or edge of the stove so you have a nice firm, solid service to work on.
The straight edge of this cutting board is great for pressing up against a solid surface while the curve edge gives your wrists an actual place to rest while you are chopping and prepping food.