News — Deer & Oak
Wooden vs plastic chopping boards for hygiene?
If you care about hygiene, a high quality wooden chopping board that you clean within 10 minutes of use and dry upright is usually safer long term than a plastic board that’s deeply scarred with knife marks. Studies have shown that bacteria on wood can drop by over 90% within a few hours as moisture is drawn into the fibres, while old plastic boards often trap bacteria in cuts that are hard to scrub clean. Wooden vs plastic chopping boards for hygiene: the short answer If you want the most hygienic option over 5 to 10 years of daily cooking,...
Can you reuse a chopping board for meat and vegetables?
Yes, you can reuse a chopping board for meat and vegetables, but only if you fully wash and disinfect it between uses. Food safety guidance in the UK recommends either using separate boards or washing with hot water, washing up liquid and proper drying for at least 30 minutes before switching from raw meat to ready to eat foods like salad or fruit. Why reusing one chopping board can be risky Raw meat and poultry can carry bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella and E. coli. If you cut chicken on a board and then chop peppers or lettuce on the...
How to sanitize wooden cutting boards
If you want to know how to sanitize wooden cutting boards safely, the most effective home method is a three step routine: scrub with hot soapy water for at least 30 seconds, rinse, then disinfect with either 70 ml of white vinegar or 5 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide per board, followed by thorough drying for at least 12 hours upright. Done consistently after contact with raw meat, this keeps bacteria levels low without damaging the wood. Why wooden boards and sanitation matter Wooden and bamboo boards behave differently from plastic. Quality hardwood and bamboo are naturally porous, which means...
Best wooden cutting board for kitchen
If you want the best wooden cutting board for kitchen use in a busy British home, a 45x35cm board made from sustainable hardwood or bamboo is ideal. In the Deer & Oak range, the Large Acacia Board (45x35cm, 2.1kg) is the top choice for most kitchens that prepare meat, vegetables and bread every day. What makes a wooden cutting board the best for your kitchen? The best wooden cutting board for kitchen cooking needs to solve a few real problems: knife damage, cross contamination, lack of space and awkward cleaning. Size, material and weight all matter more than fancy features....