News — Deer & Oak
Are wooden chopping boards hygienic for knife use?
If you clean them properly, good quality wooden chopping boards are hygienic for daily knife use and can safely last 5 to 10 years or more. In many kitchen tests, bacteria on well maintained wooden boards drop to safe levels within a few hours, provided the board is washed, dried upright and oiled regularly. Are wooden chopping boards hygienic for knife use in real kitchens? The short answer is yes, as long as you choose the right wood and follow a simple care routine. Hard woods such as bamboo and acacia are naturally less porous than soft woods, which means...
What chopping boards should I avoid for knife care?
If you care about your knives, there are three chopping board types you should avoid straight away: glass, marble or granite, and very hard plastic, because they can dull a sharp edge in as little as 1 to 3 uses. For long term knife care of 5 to 10 years, you want a board that is softer than the steel, such as bamboo or hardwood, and you want to avoid surfaces that feel like you are cutting on a worktop. What chopping boards should I avoid for knife care? For the sake of your knives, avoid these boards in daily...
Wooden vs bamboo chopping boards for sharp knives?
If you want to keep sharp knives keen for 5 to 10 years of daily cooking, a well made wooden board is usually kinder to the edge than standard bamboo, but high quality Moso bamboo with a smooth finish comes very close and adds clear eco benefits. In practice, many home cooks find a large wooden board for heavy prep and a lighter Moso bamboo board for everyday chopping gives the best balance for sharp knives and a calm kitchen. Wooden vs bamboo: what really matters for sharp knives Knife friendliness is mainly about hardness, grain and finish. A chopping...
Teak vs beech chopping boards for sustainability?
If you care about sustainability first, teak and beech chopping boards are usually beaten by fast growing materials like bamboo. Teak trees can take 25 to 30 years to mature and beech around 30 to 40 years, while Moso bamboo used in Deer & Oak boards can be harvested in about 5 years, which makes it the more sustainable choice for everyday kitchen use. Teak vs beech chopping boards for sustainability: quick answer When you compare teak vs beech chopping boards for sustainability, beech is usually the better choice of the two. European beech often comes from managed forests, it...