How to Find the Best Cutting Board for Your Kitchen
Cutting boards are one of the most commonly used kitchen items in our home, as they help us prepare meals that we’ll serve to friends and family. Most people likely use their cutting board every day without giving much thought to just how important these accessories really are.
The best cutting board for your kitchen should meet a range of requirements including size, material, durability, protection, and style, so it’s essential that your board ticks all of these boxes. We’ll look at each important factor and why each of these is crucial in helping you find the best cutting board.
Material
The material of our cutting boards is probably the most important thing to consider, as this will factor into its strength and ability to get the job done. For this reason, the best cutting board material would have to be hardwood.
Though there are many different materials available, such as steel, stone, and plastic, none of them come close to meeting all of the benefits of hardwood. In particular, the best wood for cutting boards would have to be acacia.
One of the superior species of wood, acacia is a durable and affordable alternative to maple and teak, absolutely ideal for the construction of a cutting board. This is the best wood for cutting board structure due to its strength, long life, and ability to resist dents and scratches.
Size
Size certainly matters when selecting a cutting board. You want one that is big enough to prepare your meals on, but not so big that it takes up all of the space on your benchtop. Some people might even like to use their cutting board over the sink, further saving space and improving efficiency.
Aim for something around 16 inches long by 12 inches wide as this will give you ample space for preparing and presenting meals. The thickness is important as well, and an ideal measurement is around 2 inches.
The thickness will determine how durable the cutting board is so it must be enough, however, you don’t want it too bulky that it becomes impractical to use and carry. This is especially important to consider when selecting a hardwood variety.
Durability
Gone are the days when people would purchase a plastic cutting board at a cheap price and rely on this to prepare their meals. While plastic boards are very affordable, they need to be replaced often due to their ability to harbour dangerous bacteria.
If you choose a material such as hardwood, you’re guaranteeing years of life from your product. However, with extra care and maintenance such as regular cleaning and oiling of the grains, you can prolong the life of your board even further.
Durability is also important to be able to withstand the repeated use of your knives against the surface. For this reason, hardwood is another clear winner as it can take a lot of harsh pressure without showing too many dents and scratches as plastic or stone boards can.
Protection
While the cutting board needs to be protected from knives, your knives also need to be protected from the cutting board. People who select stone, glass or steel cutting boards find that this material very quickly damages their knives and causes the blades to blunt.
Another area of protection to consider is your benchtop, as a slippery cutting board or thin material will leave your table or benchtop open to damage from knives. A thick material such as hardwood with rubber feet will protect other surfaces from the work you’re doing.
Finally, the user of the cutting board must protect themselves. Another hazard with slippery surfaces such as glass or steel is that the knife can slide across and come into contact with your skin. According to the US National Institute of Health, knives cause more injuries than any other household tool, so it pays to be extra vigilant.
Design
The cutting board used to be an item that was hidden away in the drawer until you needed to use it, which took away from its functionality. Modern cutting boards, such as the wooden varieties, are a piece of home décor in their own right and should be proudly displayed on your benchtop even when not in use.
A material like acacia makes the best cutting board wood for both preparing your meals and presenting them, so their design is just as important as their functionality. Wood has a rustic but elegant charm to it which deems it a popular choice for furniture and home construction, and this elegance is not lost on a chopping board.
The design is also important with wood cutting boards as these types can serve as a platter for entertaining guests as well. Simply prepare your food on the cutting board, such as a cheese selection or range of fresh fruits, and then transport it over to your guests for an elegant and charming tray.
The Verdict
The clear choice in all categories is a hardwood variety, with superior durability and visual appeal over the other materials. With a few species to select from, a hardwood that is both quality and affordable is the ideal pick.
Acacia wood cutting boards are the most affordable way to enjoy all of the benefits of hardwood in your kitchen accessory, and their stunning colours and design make them more than just a kitchen utensil. These elegant accessories can improve the overall look of your kitchen, and also function as unique serving platters for your guests.
For a product that’s used so often in our homes and kitchens, it makes sense to select a cutting board that’s superior quality. A durable, stylish, and affordable cutting board will serve your family for many years and help to add a hint of rustic charm to your home.