News — wooden board care

If you want your chopping board to last 5 to 10 years, the simple rule is: do not put wooden or bamboo chopping boards in the dishwasher, but most solid plastic cutting boards are usually fine on a standard 60°C cycle. The high heat, steam and aggressive detergents in dishwashers can warp, crack and dry out natural materials in as little as a few months. Can you put different types of chopping board in the dishwasher? Not all kitchen boards behave the same in a dishwasher. The right cleaning method depends on the material and thickness of the board. Wooden...

If you want to protect your knives and keep a clean cut, the best chopping board material for most home kitchens is medium hardness wood in the Janka range of about 1,000 to 1,500. That puts maple and acacia slightly ahead for knife friendliness, with high quality Moso bamboo very close behind and winning on price and eco credentials. Acacia, bamboo or maple: which is actually best for your knives? If your main question is “what’s the best chopping board for knives: acacia, bamboo or maple?”, here’s the clear answer: Best overall balance for most home cooks: Acacia wood in...

If you want to know how to get rid of smells on wooden cutting board surfaces, the most effective routine is a 3 step process: scrub with coarse salt for 60 seconds, neutralise with lemon or vinegar for 2 minutes, then dry the board upright for at least 12 hours. Used weekly, this keeps odours from onions, garlic and raw meat from lingering for more than a day. Why wooden boards hold smells (and how to stop it) Wood is naturally porous. When you chop onions, garlic or raw meat, tiny particles and juices get into the surface fibres. If...

If you want to clean a wooden chopping board properly, wash it by hand within 2 minutes of use with hot water and mild washing up liquid, then dry it upright for at least 12 hours before storing. Never soak it or put it in the dishwasher, or you can warp or crack the wood in as little as 3 to 6 months. Why wooden chopping boards need different care Wood behaves differently to plastic or glass. It absorbs a little water, it can swell and shrink, and it benefits from regular oiling. That might sound like extra work, but...