You could say the chopping board is your knife’s best friend. It provides a strong chopping base and protects both your knife and the cooking surface. Though there are plastic and wooden chopping board options, wood is always a better choice. Plastic is not only prone to fungi; it chips and can enter the food, proving dangerous.
However, like everything else, it’s only the best product that gives the best results. Here are five tips that will help you choose the best quality wooden chopping board for your kitchen.
1. Solid and Joint Free Boards for Durability:
Most wooden chopping boards are of bamboo, which is a strong and renewable wood. However, as bamboo is narrow, the board is made by joining several bamboo pieces. The joints formed weaken the board because it tends to warp with regular washing and eventually ruin the base.
In short, bamboo isn’t the right choice for everyday cooking. What you need is a solid wood chopping board without any joints. They are durable and last longer.
2. Wood Grains:
Look out for solid wood with unique and beautiful grains. This is essential because some sellers cheat by selling plastic boards as wooden boards. You can tell if the chopping board is solid wood with grains just by looking at it. On the contrary, plastic chopping boards come with a plain, uniform finish without grains.
3. No Polish:
Yes, polished chopping boards look good and keep water away. However, not all wood polishes are safe for wood. You will be using the chopping board to cut and serve fruits, vegetables, cheese, etc., for your family. So you need to ensure the board doesn’t have polish. You can tell by checking the surface. It shouldn’t be entirely smooth like furniture after the first wash. Besides, the board should also absorb some water before you wipe it dry.
These two signs prove that the board is polish-free and safe. Instead of polish, applying a coating of protective oil on the board helps lengthen its life. Just pour and rub in the oil with a tea towel. Let it soak for a few minutes, then repeat. Wooden boards generally need re-oiling once in three to four months.
4. Aesthetics:
It’s no doubt you will want a good looking board in your kitchen to improve your image of a cook to your guests. You should also preferably look for something that can also double up as a cheese plate. There are wooden boards in various hues and shapes for you to choose from. Look for something that complements your kitchen and available storage space for it.
5. Material:
As mentioned above, it’s better to avoid bamboo wood boards because they have joints and aren’t that durable. You can instead look for wooden boards made from hardwood like acacia, oak, and teak. They make a better choice because they are tough, durable, and naturally-anti-microbial. So they are also a safer choice for your family because they are less likely to harbor bacteria.
These five tips are more than enough to help you select the best quality wooden chopping board that will help you and your family, visit the website to learn more.
