Caring for a Cutting Board

Cutting boards are a daily tool in most residential and commercial kitchens, they keep our counter-tops clean and prevent the spread of disease. While the purpose of kitchen cutting boards may be the same, their maintenance varies entirely. In the kitchen, cutting boards are commonly made out of wood or plastic. Wood is long lasting and if properly taken care of, it will last for many years. On the other hand plastic cutting boards have a much shorter life. Plastic cutting boards are built to be disposable even with proper care. In today’s blog Public Kitchen Supply will provide some helpful hints on how to get the most out of your wood or plastic cutting board.
Wood cutting boards do well in home kitchens. Wood has natural anti-septic properties and are great at self-healing. If your knife leaves thin cuts in the wood they will likely close up on their own. Wood cutting boards are softer on knives and provide a classic, rustic look to your kitchen. We recommend Update International’s Wood Bread Board with Knife Slot. Wood Cutting boards should be washed in hot soapy water, wiped clean and dried upright. Never put wooden cutting boards in the dishwasher. When wood is exposed to too much water it will become soft, fragile and lose its shape. Coarse salt and lemon are simple ingredients that can dramatically extend the life of your cutting board. Every other week dust your cutting board with coarse salt, rub the salt with a sliced lemon and rinse in hot water. This method will close cracks in the woods surface.
Oiling wooden cutting boards is another fantastic technique to extend their life. You will need a clean soft cloth and mineral oil. Before oiling your board be sure it is clean and dry. Next, take your soft cloth and apply the mineral oil evenly over the board’s surface. Allow your cutting board to take in the oil overnight. In the morning, rub off any remaining oil with a dry cloth. This method protects the wood from becoming dry and cracked. If you follow these techniques your wooden cutting board will last for decades to come.
Plastic cutting boards are not nearly as high maintenance as wood cutting boards, but they do not have the same life expectancy. Plastic cutting boards are meant to be disposable, typically lasting only a handful of years. Most plastic cutting boards are made from copolymer. This material is designed not to dull knives but cuts and scratches do tend to quickly appear on the board’s surface. Scratches can easily turn to cracks, a strong indication that a board should be replaced.
The best way to extend the life of your plastic cutting board is through proper cleaning and sanitation. Plastic cutting boards are dishwasher safe but they can still warp in high temperatures. It is critical that you allow excess water to run off your cutting board by either hanging it or storing it upright. Look for cutting boards like San Jamar’s 18” x 24” Cut-N-Carry Cutting Board. This cutting board provides a safety hook for storing and drying upright like it's supposed to.
Wood and plastic cutting boards are very different in their construction. It is important to understand the maintenance of each board. Before purchasing a cutting board consider how long you want it last and how you want to take care of it. To find a cutting board that fits your needs, visit our website at PublicKitchenSupply.com