News — Deer & Oak

In the standard UK kitchen colour code, the chopping board for cooked meat is yellow. If you want to keep your kitchen safe and organised, use a yellow cutting board for cooked meat, and reserve other colours for raw meat, fish, vegetables and bread. Why the cooked meat board is yellow Professional kitchens across the UK follow a widely recognised colour coding system to reduce cross contamination. In this system, cooked meat always goes on a yellow kitchen board. That single rule helps staff instantly see if food is on the right surface. Here is the common colour breakdown used...

If you want a clear answer: no, you shouldn’t use the same chopping board for fish and veg unless you clean and disinfect it thoroughly for at least 20–30 seconds between uses. Food safety guidance in the UK recommends separate boards for raw fish and ready to eat foods like salad and vegetables, which is why many home cooks now keep at least 2 boards on the counter. Why sharing a chopping board for fish and veg is risky Raw fish can carry bacteria and parasites that you absolutely don’t want on your salad or stir fry veg. When you...

If you are wondering why wooden cutting boards crack, the short answer is that wood moves. When a board absorbs and then loses water too quickly, it can shrink by 1 to 3 millimetres across its width and that stress often shows up as splits, warping or hairline cracks. The best way to stop this is to choose a stable hardwood or bamboo board and oil it every 2 to 4 weeks, especially if you wash it daily. Why do wooden cutting boards crack in the first place? Wood is a natural material that constantly reacts to its environment. Every...

If you want your wooden cutting board to last 5 to 10 years, the best oil to use is food grade mineral oil applied in a thin coat every 4 to 6 weeks. For extra protection, many home cooks also add a board conditioner that combines mineral oil with natural waxes like beeswax. Why the right oil matters for wooden cutting boards Wood is porous. Without the right oil, it dries out, cracks and can absorb liquids from raw meat or juicy vegetables. Using a stable, food safe oil keeps the fibres hydrated, helps repel water and slows staining. At...