Cutting Boards

Cutting Boards

Are your cutting boards really not making the cut anymore? That's typical - after all, they're probably over a decade old and have been through the dishwasher more times than you can count when you haven't felt like hand washing them (let's be honest, that's us too). After a few years of forgetting to give your cutting boards proper care, your best serrated knife will shove knife marks into the once smooth surface of your prized John Boos board... not to mention that even your best plastic cutting board will start breaking down after prolonged everyday use. Maybe you are looking to complete a big refresh on your kitchen equipment to level up your meal prep and cutting boards are the first thing on your list. Whatever your goals are for reading about cutting boards, our sharpest advice (and a run-down on our favorite cutting boards) is coming right up!

We'll Cut to the Chase - You Need Several Types of Cutting Boards for Your Place

Whether you're a meat lover or a vegan, obsessed with charcuterie platters or a kebab connoisseur, the cutting boards in your kitchen should be fit for cooking the food you love. But, the options can be overwhelming, along with the facts. You probably didn't know that wood cutting boards aren't recommended for processing raw meat... or that plastic boards can wear out your knives more quickly than other cutting board materials. As you can probably guess by now, there are an abundance of factors to consider when choosing the best cutting boards for your kitchen - some cutting boards are better for your knives than others, just as some boards need more care than others (such as regular applications of mineral oil or hand washing instead of placing them in the dishwasher). From plastic to bamboo, wood and silicone, not only do we have the products to help you find what you need, but also personal experience!

Plastic is Fantastic!

Plastic is perhaps the most common material for cutting boards. Plastic cutting boards come in multiple sizes, many shapes, and lots of fun colors. Most plastic boards are generally durable and great for avoiding cross contamination between foods, since they don't absorb juices or flavors easily (think chopping raw meat). Many also come with a juice groove, such as the Oxo Good Grips Carving Cutting Board. Likely the most unique feature about plastic cutting boards is that they are usually dishwasher safe, making them much more convenient to work with. Those with smaller kitchens who don't have much counter space will find that plastic boards may be the best option since they won't stick around, waiting for days to be washed. Plastic cutting mats are also a popular pick for slicing and dicing foods (like fruits and veggies) that don't need quite as much TLC as meat or cheese. However, plastic cutting boards do show knife marks more easily than wooden boards and can dull knife edges much faster. Still, plastic boards will provide great value to your kitchen for their convenience and versatility.

Wood You Like to Know More?

Wooden cutting boards, along with bamboo, are considered the healthiest materials for cutting boards by far. Since these materials are naturally grown versus artificially developed (like plastic and silicone are), they can be sustainably sourced and create less long-term waste. The best wood cutting boards are made from hardwoods like walnut, sugar maple, cherry, teak, and acacia, all of which are naturally resistant to moisture and bacteria. Among the wood cutting boards that aren't recommended include oak, pine, cedar, redwood, fir, spruce, balsa, and mahogany. These woods are more porous, allowing them to retain moisture and bacteria, which can mold and lead to decay of your wooden cutting boards. Bamboo and wooden cutting boards are incredibly durable, as long as they are not left soaking in the sink or put through the dishwasher (they require hand washing and are not dishwasher safe). Hand washing wooden cutting boards requires simply washing it off, cleansing it with soapy water, and giving it a quick rinse before letting it air dry. Though most wood cutting boards don't come with rubber sides or grippers, a damp paper towel underneath the wood board can prevent it from becoming a countertop slip and slide while you're slicing and dicing.

These Plastic Cutting Boards Are A Slice of Heaven...

Looking for some simple slicing surfaces to get going with dinner? These cutting boards fit the bill - they're not flashy like a John Boos board, or anything you'd find at Williams Sonoma or Crate and Barrel... but yet they're durable and offer superior functionality. The Everyday Cutting Board by Oxo Good Grips is a perfect example - both sides of the cutting board are ready to be used, while going easy on your knife edges. One side of the board has juice grooves that will minimalize your mess, while the other is completely flat, prioritizing the amount of room you have to prep food. The Utility Cutting Board by Oxo Good Grips is simply the medium-sized version of the Everyday Board, just as the Oxo Good Grips Carving and Cutting Board rounds out the trio as the largest

Our favorite cutting mats are made by Rada. Like the Oxo boards, they're dishwasher safe and come in several sizes. The Small Flexible Cutting Mats measure 7 inches by 10 inches and come in a pack of three, while the Large Flexible Cutting Mat comes by itself, measuring 10 inches by 14 inches. These plastic cutting boards are thin and make scooping food into bowls or pots a chef's dream. However, they're durable and don't give in easily to the beating that sharp knives put them through. Since they don't have nonslip grips on the bottom, a damp paper towel between your countertop and the mat will prevent them from slipping.

The Gripper Bar Board by Architec is in a league of its own - made for small food prep jobs, it provides just enough space to finish stripping herbs or chopping cherry tomatoes. This plastic board is lightweight, compact, and will easily slip into any kitchen drawer or cupboard for storage. Once again, this board is easy on knives and dishwasher safe!

Bored with Your Cutting Boards? Take a Whack at These Unique Options!

Tired of the plain old plastic cutting board options that seem to be everywhere you look? Look no further - we've got some fun and fresh cutting boards that will keep your kitchen interesting. The Michigan State Bamboo Cutting Board by Totally Bamboo is perfect for the lifelong Michigan native who loves where they live. Just like the other Totally Bamboo cutting boards, this one is crafted of high-quality, durable Moso bamboo that only needs a little mineral oil once in awhile to keep it going. When you need more space in your cupboards and cabinets, it can double as a beautiful piece of home decor - hang it up on your wall and admire until you need to get slicing again!

The Charles Viancin Poppy Silicone Cutting Board by is a vibrant and visually beautiful large cutting board, that's dishwasher safe and goes easy on your knife edges. Made of food grade silicone, it's free of BPA, phthalates, leads, and latex, making it one of the best cutting boards for convenience. Its colors and design bring cheer to your kitchen, and its flat side allows you to fold it for transferring food. It's nonslip and heat-resistant up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can slice and rest freshly cooked steaks without worry about your cutting board melting.

The Over the Sink Prep Station is another unique cutting surface that is sure to simplify your meal prep process. This cutting board comes with a colander compartment on one side, which can be placed over a drain to strain produce before chopping and slicing. Primarily made of plastic, the other side of the board expands as needed to sit comfortably between the sides of your sink. You'll only have to wash one item (rather than bowls, colanders, and a cutting board!) after prepping with the Over the Sink Prep Station - and both of them are dishwasher safe!

Chop Till You Drop - These Wood Cutting Boards Will Help!

Need to do some chopping that's a little more heavy-duty? Or maybe you're in search of an elegant board that assists both your dicing and your decor scheme? Whatever the case, these thick cutting board options will come through on both levels. The Big Easy Chopping Block and the Malibu Groove Cutting Board are both by Totally Bamboo and are gorgeous additions to any kitchen, differing primarily in thickness (the chopping block is 3.25 inches thick, while the Malibu board is 0.75 inches thick). The Gripperwood Acacia Cutting Board by Architec is arguably the most eye-catching of them all, boasting a raw, natural look that also stays secure while you're slicing, thanks to its gripper feet. Finally, the Alaskan Ulu Chopping Bowl by The Ulu Factory is specifically designed for use with the Alaskan Ulu knife. The long blade of the Ulu knife fits perfectly within the hollow dish of the cutting board for an ideal cut.

Knife to Meat You - Choose A Board That's A Cut Above the Rest!

Choosing the right cutting board for you cooking needs isn't always easy... but hopefully we've simplified the process a bit. Check out all of the cutting boards we stand behind here at Kooi Housewares to discover even more about what each of these boards have to offer!