Choosing the right chopping board isn't an easy task, as anyone who has even a slight interest in the topic will know. In shops, you can find chopping boards with specific sizes and thicknesses, made from different materials, and distinguished by original designs and clever solutions that make preparing and serving dishes easier. In this article, we'll discuss the most important issues related to choosing the right chopping board. So what should you consider to ensure the board best meets your expectations?
What will you learn from this text?
The large selection of chopping boards can make it difficult to decide which product will best suit your needs. To help you choose a kitchen board, we've prepared an article from which you will learn:
- How to choose the right size and thickness of chopping board.
- Which chopping boards are suitable for specific products.
- About the properties of chopping boards that make food preparation easier.
Which chopping board is best?
Let's start with the size of the chopping board. The size and weight of the board are some of the most important parameters impacting the ease of cutting products and storing the board in your kitchen.
Size and thickness of kitchen boards. Which board to choose?
Properties of chopping boards in different sizes:
- Large (40x50 cm), thick (3 or 4 cm) boards are ideal for chefs and people who cook frequently. Larger surface boards provide enough workspace, and their thickness ensures they don't slip on the countertop and wear out more slowly.
- Medium (30x40 cm) and smaller (25x30 cm) boards are handy kitchen tools, perfect for chopping small vegetables or cheese. Smaller boards are also usually thinner and lighter – depending on the material they are made from, they can be about 5 mm (plastic boards) to over 2 cm thick.
How to wash and dry boards of various sizes?
A large wooden board takes up more space and is harder to wash. For larger boards, especially those not suitable for dishwasher washing, a kitchen drainer with adjustable width can be useful for drying boards after washing in a vertical position.
Smaller boards can be stored in many places and are easier to wash – small glass and plastic boards can easily be put in the dishwasher. A kitchen faucet with a pull-out spout facilitates washing under running water. Boards can easily be carried and chopped products can be dropped directly into the pot – these are the best boards for trips.
What material for a chopping board?
Chopping boards can also be divided based on the material they are made from. Each material has different properties and is suitable for cutting different food products – a different board should be used for cutting vegetables, fruits, and bread than for raw meat and fish.
Boards made of wood
Wooden boards are best for cutting bread and serving snacks, such as cheeses. The natural material makes them versatile and they fit into any kitchen. Wooden boards do not damage blades and are resistant to high temperatures – they are suitable as bases for hot pots and dishes. The downside of wooden boards is the quick absorption of moisture, so they require regular treatment (rubbing with salt and cooking oil). Wooden boards are only suitable for hand washing.
Wooden boards are made from various types of wood, most often:
- oak (hard and durable, has a characteristic appearance),
- acacia (acacia wood is very durable),
- beech (hard wood with a uniform structure),
- pear (heavy and hard, wood has a warm hue),
- ash (fairly heavy and durable, scratch-resistant),
- ebony (exceptionally resistant and beautiful looking wood).
Bamboo kitchen boards
Bamboo chopping boards are eco-friendly and cheaper than wooden boards. Bamboo boards are made from compressed bamboo grass, which grows quite quickly, and its cultivation does not negatively affect the environment. Chopping boards made of bamboo are lightweight and do not absorb water as quickly as wooden boards. Their surface also has natural antibacterial properties and doesn't dull knives. These are boards for everyday use – suitable for chopping vegetables and fruits and slicing fresh bread, meats, and cheeses. Bamboo boards do not require treatment with cooking oil and salt.
Chopping boards made from stone
Kitchen boards made from stone are scratch-resistant and easy to keep clean. Stone doesn't absorb odors and moisture like natural wood, so it's great for chopping raw meat, fish, and cheeses. The material is also resistant to high temperatures – they are extremely durable boards. Unfortunately, stone boards are quite heavy, unlike wooden or plastic boards. Boards should not be washed in the dishwasher, and their surface can dull knives.
Most popular stone boards:
- marble (a marble board has a beautiful pattern and is durable),
- granite (a granite board is scratch-resistant),
- slate (has an interesting texture and uniform color).
Glass and ceramic boards
These are the best kitchen boards in terms of hygiene maintenance. A board made of tempered glass or ceramics doesn't absorb moisture and odors. The appropriate material also prevents bacteria and mold development on the board's surface. Glass boards are perfect primarily for chopping meat and fish, and they can be washed in the dishwasher (ceramic boards aren't suitable for dishwasher washing). A big advantage of this type of board is their impressive appearance and availability in many shapes and various colors and patterns. Unfortunately, glass boards can dull knives and are easily broken, so they must be handled carefully to avoid breaking.
Plastic chopping boards
This type of kitchen board is very popular due to its practical use and relatively low cost. Plastic chopping boards are perfect for travel because they are lightweight and easy to keep clean. Boards made from synthetic materials do not absorb odors and moisture, making them suitable for chopping meat. They are also suitable for slicing bread and vegetables. Plastic boards wear out with intense use (scratches form on the board's surface where bacteria can develop), so they must be regularly replaced.
Original chopping boards
Chopping boards are a must-have element in our kitchen – kitchen boards not only have practical uses but are also decorative elements of kitchen interior design. They can also serve as stylish trays for serving snacks. It's worth noting that chopping boards also have solutions that facilitate comfort and hygiene during cutting.
Some chopping boards are equipped with non-slip elements and special grooves, where liquids leaking from different products accumulate (these are most often found in bamboo or wooden chopping boards). There are also chopping boards that can be broken in the middle to facilitate throwing ingredients directly into the pot. Kitchen boards can be double-sided.
What chopping board to choose?
The choice of the right chopping board primarily depends on the user's needs. When buying chopping boards, it is crucial to consider which type of board will work for specific products and how much storage space you have in your kitchen. The aesthetic appearance of the chopping board is also important – the availability in a wide range of colors, patterns, and shapes allows for the best adaptation of the board to your needs, as well as to the interior décor and kitchen equipment elements, such as the color of your granite sink. The ideal board is simply a functional and aesthetically pleasing board.