Chop, Chop! These are the Best Cutting Boards
The best boards for meat, veg and more.
As indispensable as a kitchen knife or a frying pan, a cutting board ensures that you have an allocated space for chopping, offers protection for your kitchen counters and acts as the perfect cheeseboard. But with so many styles to choose from, our cutting board buying guide is here to help you determine which is the best chopping board for you.
Overview:
Types of Cutting Board
Cutting Board: A classic cutting board is a durable and sturdy board meant for cutting meat and vegetables. This type of board can be made out of a variety of materials including plastic, wood or glass. If you find yourself chopping a variety of food items, invest in a cutting board set so that you’ll have a few different sizes to work with, as well as the ability to stay focused on your food prep without the need to clean the board continuously.
Cutting Board with Handles: If you want your cutting board to double up as a serving tray then choose board with handles. This allows for the all same functions as a chopping board but the aded handles make transferring food easier.
Carving Board: Carving boards are generally wider than an average cutting board and are primarily meant for carving and slicing roast meat or turkeys. The board's edge often features a groove that catches excess juice, allowing you to keep your table or worktop clean.
Butcher Block: Butcher blocks are thick blocks that are meant for chopping, cutting and slicing meat. They're durable enough to withstand a heavy-duty kitchen knife and their thickness allows for added weight, as butchering meat is often labor-intensive.
Bread Board: This is the perfect cutting board for slicing and serving your favourite bread. A bread board is long and slim (great for baguettes) and durable enough for frequent slicing. Most bread boards come with slits on the side to guide your cutting.
Pastry Board: A pastry board is designed for kneading and mixing pastry dough and can withstand added pressure. If you're a baker, this smooth, chilled surface is an essential tool to prevent your dough from sticking to your worktop without the need for excess flour.
Wood: Wood cutting boards are popular due to their look and ability to easily cut bread, vegetables and fruit. Opt for hardwoods such as maple, teak or walnut – these are more resistant to scratches and cracks from knives. Wooden cutting boards require more maintenance and should always be hand-washed as well as oiled a few times throughout the year to keep them crack-free and smooth. If you find that water has been absorbed into your chopping board, it is time to oil again.
Bamboo: Bamboo cutting boards are a great alternative to wood and offer all the same benefits with just a different look. They're best cleaned by hand, and for that reason they work well for slicing vegetables, fruit or bread. Treat them similarly to wood by using mineral oil several times a year.
Plastic: Plastic cutting boards are ideal for cutting meat as they're easy to clean and dishwasher-friendly and their softness means they won't damage your knives when slicing or cutting. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, plastic cutting boards are a great choice.
Marble: Marble is great for keeping things chilled, making it the perfect board for serving fruits or cheese. You'll find that most pastry boards are marble as the chilled material helps keep the dough from sticking.
Marble & Wood: The combination of marble and wood makes for an attractive serving tray. The marble helps keep foods chilled while the wood creates a sturdy surface to cut or slice bread or vegetables.
Glass: Glass cutting boards make a beautiful serving tray for fruit, cheese and crackers. They're easy to clean and the glass surface won't absorb any liquids. Keep in mind that chopping or slicing on glass can be harder on your knives.
Tempered Glass: Tempered glass has all the benefits of glass but is even stronger. It is also nonporous, meaning it won’t absorb any juices from raw meats. Tempered glass is easy to clean, making it a great option for someone who needs to chop things back-to-back.
Granite: Granite cutting boards are not only durable but they make for a stylish addition to your worktops and can be left out for decorative purposes. Granite can often dull kitchen knives, so you'll want to sharpen your knives often. Granite has a cool surface and is best used for rolling dough or as a serving tray.
Silicone: Silicone cutting boards are great for keeping your knives in good shape due to their cushioned support. They're flexible and can be moved or folded whenever needed, making them a go-to option if you're moving around the kitchen often.
Tip: Your journey into kitchenware doesn't have to end here! Check out:
- The Best Stainless Steel Cookware
- 9 Baking Essentials for Every Avid Baker
- How to Choose the Best Food Processor
