Deciding on a Cutting Board to Buy

 

Wooden cutting boards are the oldest form of cutting boards, and plastic cutting boards are the most popular. Bamboo cutting boards are also gaining more popularity as people learn about them. In order to choose the right cutting board, you need to know all about these three kinds. There are similarities and differences that present different pros and cons to each choice.

 

Within wooden cutting boards , there are different kinds. Some are made from flat-grain wood which is more common. A more durable options is getting one made out of end-grain. Hardwoods like maple and beech last longer because they are a more dense wood, but you can find them made out of more exotic woods like acacia if that is the look you are going for. Bamboo cutting boards aren't made out of a continuous strip of wood, but rather smaller strips of bamboo that are glued together. Because some of the glue might rub off at the beginning of use, you should always buy a board made with non-toxic glue. Bamboo will resist knife marks better than even a hard maple because it is 16% harder.

 

More and more people are buying plastic cutting boards because they think they can be cleaned better than a natural cutting board. Bacteria growth studies have been done between wood, bamboo, and plastic cutting boards. If cleaned correctly, natural cutting boards don't grow any more bacteria than a plastic cutting board. There are even fewer areas on a bamboo cutting board for bacteria to live than on a wood or plastic one. Bamboo is also a natural antimicrobial.

 

The cleaning routines for wood and bamboo large cutting board set are similar. You should clean them right after you use them. You can just wipe them down with a warm soapy rag, and then rinse and dry them immediately. Wood is more likely to warp or crack than bamboo, but doing this every time you use them will prevent either from happening. Neither bamboo nor wood should be placed in the dishwasher because the environment provides too much heat and exposure to water. That can warp and dull the wood.

 

Bamboo boards take less maintenance than wooden boards. Wooden boards should be treated a few times every year with beeswax or coconut oil. Bamboo boards don't need this maintenance, but you can rub them down with bamboo oil to prolong their life. Don't use cooking oils like olive oil or vegetable oil to rub down your cutting boards, because these go rancid and cause a health concern. These treatments help prevent the board from absorbing water and keep the surface smooth. If you need more ideas, you should visit http://videos.huffingtonpost.com/san-francisco/how-to-use-a-bamboo-cutting-board-257356439.