News — wooden cutting board smell

If your wooden cutting board smells, it is almost always because food juices and bacteria have soaked 1 to 2 millimetres into the grain and been left for more than 24 hours. The quickest way to fix it is a 3 step routine: scrub with coarse salt and lemon, wipe with a 1:1 white vinegar and water mix, then dry upright for at least 12 hours. Why does my wooden cutting board smell in the first place? Wood is naturally porous. When you cut raw onion, garlic, meat or fish, tiny amounts of liquid are pushed into the surface. If...

If you are wondering why your wooden cutting board smells, the short answer is this: odour causing bacteria can start to develop within 2 to 4 hours on a damp, unclean board, especially after chopping raw onion, garlic or meat. The best way to stop a wooden board smelling is to wash it within 10 minutes of use, dry it upright, and oil it every 4 to 6 weeks so liquids cannot soak in. Why does a wooden cutting board smell in the first place? Wood is a natural, porous material. That is exactly why chefs love it, but also...