Whether you’re outfitting a kitchen in a new home or upgrading an old board that’s past its prime, choosing a new cutting board can feel like a big job. After all, there are a lot of different options out there, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the available choices. Picking out a new cutting board should be fun– not a chore! That’s why we’ve created the ultimate guide for selecting the perfect board.
Let’s first look at why you want a cutting board. Are you looking for something to use every day, a cutting surface for your delicious BBQ meats, or a gift to give for a wedding or a housewarming party?
Then, we’ll break down the different considerations to help you make the right choice for your purposes. Without further ado, let’s dive in and explore how to choose the perfect cutting board.
What Are You Looking for in a Cutting Board?
The type of cutting board that will be best for you will depend on what purpose you’re looking for it to serve. For example, maybe you are looking for the perfect board to use while barbequing, or maybe you’re just hoping to find a simple board for everyday cooking.
Once you start diving into the world of handmade wooden cutting boards, you also might feel compelled to incorporate them into your home decor. You might choose to hang them on your wall, cluster them together in a display on a shelf, or use them as a tray for candles, fruit bowls, or vases of fresh flowers. It’s also never a bad idea to have a beautiful serving tray or cutting board on hand to use for impromptu cheese plates when guests stop by unexpectedly.
Looking for a one-of-a-kind wooden cutting board to give as a gift or to display in your kitchen? Check out The American Flag and The Traffic.
Figuring out your why first will help you more quickly zero in on the perfect type of board for you.
Considerations When Buying a Cutting Board
Material
There are a lot of options when it comes to cutting board material, from bamboo and glass to rubber and wood. Here at Sirr’s Furniture, we’re obviously pretty partial to the classic, handmade wooden cutting board. Durable, beautiful, and sanitary, we’ll always recommend wood boards over the other options.
Size
If you find yourself in the kitchen (or outside at the grill) pretty often, having several boards of different sizes can be pretty useful.
For example, a small board (anywhere between 4x6 and 8x10) is handy for when you want to quickly slice up some fruit or cheese. A medium-sized board (anywhere between 10x14 and 15x20) can be appropriate for cooking simple meals, while a larger board (anywhere between 18x18 and 20x30) is best for bigger jobs like breaking down a whole chicken or cutting up a winter squash. If you do a lot of BBQing, you’ll probably want a big brisket board with inset juice grooves.
As a general rule, the bigger the board, the faster you will be able to prep your ingredients. However, smaller boards can be a lot easier to move around and wash when you just need to slice up something small.
Thickness
Another consideration is what thickness you want for your board. You’ll often hear that, when it comes to cutting boards, “the thicker, the better.” However, whether or not that’s true in your case depends on how you plan to use the board.
At Sirr’s, we offer thin boards for serving, decoration, and everyday kitchen use as well as thick boards that are great in the kitchen or out at the BBQ.
Edge Grain Vs. End Grain
When you’re shopping for wooden cutting boards, you’ll also want to consider the pros and cons of edge grain and end grain boards.
Edge grain boards are the most common type of wooden cutting board. The wood used to make these boards is cut with the grain, and the final product is durable, affordable, aesthetically pleasing, stain-resistant, and lighter than end grain boards. On the flip side, they are not as gentle on knives as end-grain boards and are more susceptible to knife marks.
End grain boards, on the other hand, are created using wood that displays the growth rings of the tree. These boards are awesome for heavy-duty chopping and carving (remember when we mentioned that brisket?), leave fewer knife marks, are gentler on knives, and are super beautiful. On top of that, they’re even self-healing!
These boards are heavier, which means that they move less while you’re doing your work. However, they are typically more expensive and require a little extra maintenance. On top of that, a heavier board might not be ideal for quick jobs.
Other Considerations
When you’re choosing a wooden cutting board, there are a few other things you’ll want to keep in mind. You’ll want to think about the care and maintenance requirements, the durability, and the cost, for example.
Beyond that, don’t forget about the aesthetics! You’d be surprised how much a beautiful, handmade wooden cutting board can add rustic charm to your kitchen.
Is It Time for You to Get a New Cutting Board?
Choosing the perfect cutting board can take a bit of digging, but it’s a purchase that’s worth putting some thought into. At Sirr’s Furniture, we create one-of-a-kind handmade boards for all occasions, whether you need an all-purpose board for the kitchen, a hefty board for the grill, or a gorgeous, decorative board that’s simply too beautiful to use as a cutting surface.
And remember, if you don’t see the perfect thing in our online shop, we’d be happy to make a custom board just for you.
