News — cutting boards

If you want the best cutting board material for a typical UK kitchen, a 45x35cm bamboo or acacia wood board that is at least 1.8kg is usually the most practical balance of knife friendliness, hygiene and durability. In our tests at Deer & Oak, a 45x35cm Moso bamboo board used daily in a London kitchen stayed flat and usable for over 5 years with monthly oiling and hand washing. What is the best cutting board material for a UK kitchen? For most home cooks in the UK, the best cutting board material is high quality bamboo or hardwood such as...

If you clean and dry them properly, a high quality wooden board is usually more hygienic than a plastic board. Studies from food safety labs have shown that bacteria on wood can drop by over 99% within a few hours, while plastic boards with knife scars can keep bacteria in tiny grooves unless they are disinfected very thoroughly. Wood vs plastic: what is actually more hygienic day to day? In real home kitchens, the most hygienic option is usually a well maintained wooden board used with good habits. Here is why. Wood can trap and starve bacteria inside its structure...

If you want to keep your knives sharper for 5 to 10 years of regular home use, the best chopping boards are medium to large wooden boards made from bamboo or acacia, around 38x28cm to 45x35cm, with a little surface “give” so the blade edge is cushioned rather than scraped dull on every cut. Why the right chopping board keeps knives sharper for longer Sharpening your knives twice a year and then using a harsh board is like washing your car and then dragging it through gravel. The board you choose affects how many microscopic chips form on the edge...

If you want the best dishwasher safe cutting board for raw meat in the UK, you actually shouldn’t choose wood at all. The safest choice for raw chicken, beef and pork is a dedicated high density plastic board that can go through a full 60–70°C dishwasher cycle. Deer & Oak boards are not dishwasher safe, so for raw meat we recommend: 1) a dishwasher safe plastic board for the raw meat stage, then 2) a Deer & Oak wooden board for carving and serving once the meat is fully cooked. Why a dishwasher safe board matters for raw meat Raw...