News — cutting board care

If you want to disinfect a plastic chopping board properly, scrub it with hot soapy water, then soak it for 2 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon of thin bleach to 1 litre of cold water, rinse well and air dry upright. That simple 2 minute disinfecting step is what actually kills germs from raw meat, poultry and fish. Why plastic chopping boards need proper disinfection Plastic chopping boards are often used for raw chicken, mince and fish, which can carry bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli. Unlike wood, plastic does not have natural antibacterial properties, so the...

If you want the best end grain style chopping board for Japanese knives in the UK, look for a board around 45x35cm, 2.0 to 2.5kg, made from a reasonably soft hardwood like acacia or a forgiving grass like bamboo, with a thickness of at least 2cm. In the Deer & Oak range, the Large Acacia Board (45x35cm, 2.1kg) and the Carbonised Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.9kg) are the most suitable options for protecting sharp Japanese blades while still feeling stable on the worktop. What makes a chopping board good for Japanese knives? Japanese knives are usually harder than Western knives. Many...

If you want a wooden or bamboo chopping board to last 5 to 10 years instead of 1 to 2, then yes, chopping board oil is necessary. The best way to keep a 45x35cm kitchen board flat, food safe and looking smart is to oil it lightly every 3 to 4 weeks with a food safe mineral oil or board conditioner. Why chopping board oil is necessary for wooden and bamboo boards Wood and bamboo are natural materials that constantly take in and release moisture. Without oil, a cutting board dries out, the fibres lift and you start to see...

If you want a straight answer: the best food-safe oil for wooden cutting boards is a pure, fragrance-free mineral oil, applied in a thin layer every 3 to 4 weeks. For deeper protection, pairing mineral oil with a beeswax conditioner keeps boards sealed for up to 6 to 8 weeks between treatments. Why mineral oil is the best food-safe oil for wooden cutting boards When you are choosing the best food-safe oil for wooden cutting boards, there are three things that matter most: safety, stability and how well it protects the wood. Food-grade mineral oil wins on all three. Food...