Furnishing your kitchen with all the kitchenware you need is an effective method of making it functional. There are diverse and complete lines of useful kitchen items that you need but don’t miss having your chopping board—and choose the one made of hardwood. Original designs of chopping boards are widely available in the market and each design is individually crafted from exotic and enduring hardwoods. Each kind of hardwood features not just decorative facets but well-polished finishes. Whatever food you are preparing, you must be equipped with the most functional chopping boards.

Why Hardwood For Your Chopping Board?

According to scientific studies, hardwoods are ideal for making chopping boards as opposed to plastic materials. The studies tell that bacteria like salmonella, which is often found in raw chicken, will multiply or reproduce if not immediately removed from plastic boards. Food poisoning is caused by germs which usually thrive and hide on the surface of chopping boards made of plastic. Wooden chopping boards can be cleaned by hand scrubbing with hot water and soap. Microbes are cleared from the surface of the hardwood unlike in plastic-made chopping boards. Knife-scarred plastic boards for instance are proven to be resistant to decontamination if hand-washed. This can be explained by the fact that bacteria dies off in three minutes time on wood boards because the porous surface of the wood deprives the bacteria of water. Without water, bacteria will die.

Chopping Board Caring Tips

Once you manage to get your own wooden chopping board, it pays off to know how to care for it. Basically, washing your board with soap and water will do. However, when washing, don’t immerse the board entirely or place it in your dishwasher. If you will notice, your board has a food-safe hard finish or a food-safe wax. Once in a while or once in a week, you need to reapply the wax using a soft cloth to maintain its smooth shine and its being bacteria-free. You can also use butcher block oil or mineral oil, but don’t attempt to use olive oil nor vegetable oil because it will make your board contaminated and rancid. You can warm the oil first before applying on your board so that it will deeply penetrate into the wood.

When it comes to sanitizing, since bacteria dies off on the wood surface after three minutes, use vinegar and spray it on your board. But be reminded that using bleach is never effective because the organic composition of the wood allows neutralization element of the bleach. Keep your board dry. The moist collected beneath the board will aid mold growth which in turn destroy your board.

Your wooden chopping board is a daily necessity in your kitchen. Preparing and cutting the ingredients for your recipe is easy if you use your board. So, you have to properly take care of it so that it will not just serve its purpose but will make the food you prepare clean and safe.

One of the many kitchenware items is the cutting board. If you are looking for one, you may get overwhelmed by the unlimited offerings you will see in the market. But still, you will definitely pick a cutting board made of bamboo.

Why Bamboo Cutting Boards?

First, bamboo cutting board is eco-friendly. Once you need to dispose off your old cutting board, you can easily get a new one. This woody perennial evergreen plant is also a member of the grass family that naturally replenishes resource. New shoots of bamboo grow at least two feet per day. Hence, it is very sustainable resource. Makers of bamboo cutting boards will not encounter hardships looking for materials because bamboo is everywhere. If truth be told, cutting boards made of bamboo remain on top when it comes to markets. Kitchen enthusiasts would rather have their boards made of bamboo than any hardwood materials.

Second, these boards look so stylish, classic, and traditional. There are wide collections of stunning-looking bamboo cutting boards and chopping boards in the market. Furnishing or updating your kitchen with kitchenware will be easy and full of glam. The cost is not a problem, too since you will find inexpensive boards online and offline. Your bamboo cutting board is a durable kitchen item and it is harder than any other hardwood like maple. Cutting ingredients and food will be hassle-free because the surface of these boards is hard and solid enough to endure extreme cuts and interestingly it can still maintain its smooth surface after many cuts. And for the record, bamboo is also an ideal material for making other kitchen utensils like bowls, flatware, plates, chopsticks, and serving trays.

Third, bamboo cutting boards are easy to maintain. Hot and soapy water will suffice whenever you clean your bamboo cutting board. After washing and rinsing, you can dry it by wiping it with a piece of cloth. Also, don’t put your board in your dishwasher and don’t let it immerse in your sink. This doesn’t only reduce the quality and durability of your board but will make it prone to living bacteria as the water penetrates to the wood deeper. Wiping the surface of the board with mineral oil will also preserve the finishing of the surface. Apart from that, cutting boards made of bamboo are lightweight, hence, handy. If you are planning of having a picnic, you can carry with you your board without worrying about its bulkiness and heaviness.

Choosing bamboo cutting board as the latest addition in your kitchen is a smart decision. And since there are a great number of bamboo-made cutting board collections, it will be easy to spot your most favorite one, depending on the place where the bamboo came from. You will see bamboo cutting boards called Caribbean collections, Hawaiian collections, South Pacific collections, African collections and many more. But most importantly you will easily know which cutting board will suit your needs most once you shop online and read the reviews and details of a specific and favorite board of yours.

In the kitchen, it is best if you have at least two kinds of cutting boards. If you will use the same cutting board in cutting raw meats or in making your salad, not only will you make a disastrous recipe but there is a great possibility of cross contaminating the food you are preparing. So, buying more than one cutting board is the answer. This way, you are saving your entire family from the risks of food poisoning and diseases like diarrhea not to mention getting rid of life-threatening bacteria like E. coli. If you haven’t been informed about this kitchen reminder and you are still using your old cutting board, be warned. It is time to replace your old one or get at least two new cutting boards to solve future problems and to maintain the hygiene and cleanliness when preparing your food.

Cutting Boards Invasion in Your Kitchen

The idea of having more than one cutting board is beneficial. You need a separate cutting board for your vegetables, fruits, and bread and wooden cutting boards are ideal. In cutting raw meats like chicken and fish, you can still use wooden boards but plastic-made cutting boards would still do a good job. As long as you regularly clean and maintain your plastic boards and wash it with clean water and soap, you and the food you are going to prepare are fine. Glass cutting boards are also a hit but ironically they are not very good in cutting. Most of the time, glass boards can even damage knives since glass is harder than steel. However, one advantage of glass boards is its easy maintenance.

Buying Your Cutting Boards: Useful Reminders

Yes, there are many cutting boards available so when you are shopping one or two cutting boards, it is normal that you encounter some difficulties, too. Remember, size matters in boards. In choosing the size, you have to consider a big board to make cutting more efficient and easier. However, if you have a small sink, get the board that can fit in your sink for easy washing and cleaning. Too bulky boards are not friendly for washers, too. Choose the board that is lightweight so thinner boards are your best picks. Don’t punish yourself by buying heavy boards. There are lightweight boards and they are handy and flexible. If you can afford to buy assorted sizes and shapes for your cutting boards, do so. Though square boards are the typical other shapes will look attractive, too. You should have small boards since you need them if you are only cutting little pieces of cheese, crackers, and the likes.

And if you are shopping in a budget, there are inexpensive cutting boards that you can find online. It makes sense to do research before hitting the market so that you will know what price to expect and what details and features to look for in your board. However, the most apparent advantage when you do shopping online is: you get discounted boards and you can read reviews about the board you like to buy.