News — Deer & Oak

If you cook most days and use a sharp chef’s knife, a typical bamboo board can shorten the time between sharpenings by around 20 to 30 percent compared with a softer hardwood like acacia. The main reason bamboo cutting boards dull knives is that bamboo is naturally harder and more fibrous than many woods, so the blade meets more resistance with every cut. Why do bamboo cutting boards dull knives faster than some woods? Bamboo is technically a grass, not a tree. It grows quickly and is very eco friendly, but its structure is quite different from oak or acacia....

If you want the best antibacterial chopping boards to buy in the UK, look for dense, low-porosity wooden boards that resist deep knife grooves and are easy to clean. In our tests at Deer & Oak, the Carbonised Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.9kg) consistently performed as the most hygienic all-rounder, with fewer lingering odours and shallower cuts than softer plastic or cheap wood boards. What makes a chopping board “antibacterial” in real kitchens? In everyday British kitchens, “antibacterial” rarely means the board is coated in chemicals. Instead, it means the board: Doesn’t trap moisture, so bacteria struggle to multiply Has a...

Chopping boards cause cross-contamination when bacteria from raw meat, poultry or unwashed vegetables are transferred to ready-to-eat foods on the same surface. Studies show that using one board for both raw chicken and salad can leave up to 90% of harmful bacteria like Campylobacter on the board if it is not cleaned correctly between tasks. Why do chopping boards cause cross-contamination in the kitchen? In a busy kitchen, it only takes a few seconds for a chopping board to become a hidden source of food poisoning. Here are the main reasons why cutting boards cause cross-contamination: Knife grooves trap bacteria:...

If you are asking “what’s the best material for a daily cutting board?”, the honest answer for most home kitchens is Moso bamboo. A well made bamboo board, like the Deer & Oak Large Bamboo Board at 45x35cm and 1.8kg, typically lasts 5 to 10 years with simple oiling, is more eco friendly than hardwood, and is kinder to your knives than glass or ceramic. Why choose bamboo over wood for cutting boards? There are three practical reasons to choose bamboo over traditional wood for cutting boards: sustainability, everyday performance and weight. Eco friendly growth: Moso bamboo can grow up...