News — kitchen care

No, bamboo cutting boards should not go in the dishwasher. Even eco-friendly moso bamboo boards like our 45x35cm Large Bamboo Board can warp, crack and lose their smooth finish after as few as 5 to 10 dishwasher cycles because of high heat, harsh detergents and long soak times. Why bamboo cutting boards should stay out of the dishwasher Bamboo is tougher and more water resistant than many soft woods, but it is still a natural fibre material. When you put bamboo cutting boards in a dishwasher, three things happen that quickly shorten their life: High heat from 60 to 75°C...

If you want your cutting boards to last 5 to 10 years, the rule is simple: wash plastic boards within 2 minutes of use and oil wooden boards every 3 to 4 weeks. That single habit, plus proper drying, prevents warping, stains and deep smells in both wooden and plastic boards. Wooden vs plastic cutting boards: which is best to maintain? In day to day use, plastic boards are quicker to maintain because you can put most of them in the dishwasher at 60°C. Wooden boards, like our 45x35cm Deer & Oak Large Bamboo Board at 1.8kg, need hand washing...

If you want a quick, clear answer: food grade coconut oil is not the safest long term choice for chopping board maintenance. It can go rancid in as little as 4 to 8 weeks at room temperature, which risks odours and off flavours. For lasting care of a wooden or bamboo cutting board, a stable, food safe mineral oil or specialist board oil is a far better option. Is coconut oil safe for chopping board maintenance? Coconut oil is technically food safe, so it will not poison your kitchen board. The problem is that it is an edible, perishable fat....

If you want your wooden cutting board to last 5 to 10 years instead of just 1 to 2, it needs regular conditioning with food safe oil about once a month. Conditioning stops the wood drying out, cracking and warping, and it also helps your board stay more hygienic by sealing in the natural fibres so they do not soak up as much liquid. Why do wooden cutting boards need conditioning in the first place? Wood and bamboo are natural materials full of tiny pores. Every time you chop, wash and dry your board, moisture moves in and out of...