Wooden cutting boards are an essential tool in any kitchen– not only are they safer, better looking, and longer-lasting than plastic cutting boards, but they’re also simply a pleasure to chop on and easier on your knives.
The tradeoff, though, is that they require a bit more care and attention than plastic boards.
A properly cared for wooden board can last a lifetime. If you want to help extend the life of your board and keep using it for years to come, it’s a good idea to learn about basic board care.
Let’s take a look at the top ten things you should never do to your board to make sure it stays in tip-top shape.
1. Never Put It in the Dishwasher
Once considered a luxury item that only the wealthy could afford, dishwashers are now a common appliance in the majority of American households. While these machines can help us save a lot of time on kitchen cleanup every day, they are not a place you ever want to put your wooden cutting board.
When you run a dishwasher, the contents are getting saturated with water and then being exposed to very high heat for drying. The transition from a very wet environment to a very dry environment can mean that your board will swell and contract too quickly.
When you expose your wooden board to water and heat for a prolonged period of time, it can leave the board warped and cracked. This isn’t just a problem because it makes your board more difficult to cut on, but cracks in the wood can also become a breeding ground for microbes.
2. Never Leave Your Wooden Cutting Board in the Sink
When you’re cleaning up after cooking dinner, you probably start piling dirty dishes in the sink to soak before washing them. While this is a great method to save time during your kitchen cleanup by making it easier to remove food particles from your kitchenware, your wooden cutting board should be left to the side to clean on its own.
The reason for this is that wood will swell when it absorbs water. As it dries, though, it will start to shrink. What you’ll end up with is splits, cracks, and warping, which makes your board both less functional and less sanitary.
Instead of putting your board in the dishwasher or soaking it in the sink, you’ll want to handwash your board with soap and water.
3. Never Let Your Board Get Extremely Dry
If your board dries out excessively, it can end up cracking or even breaking. It’s also important to keep it away from excessive heat– such as placing it on top of a wood stove– as this doesn’t just dry your board out but also poses a fire hazard.
4. Never Use Oils That Aren’t Food Safe
An important part of caring for your wooden cutting board is seasoning it. However, you don’t want to use any old oil for this task. While mineral oil is a go-to choice for oiling wooden cutting boards, it’s important to know that hardware stores typically sell mineral oils that aren’t food safe.
Instead, make sure that you are using an oil or a product that is specifically marked as food-safe or is explicitly meant to be used on wooden cutting boards.
5. Never Cut In the Same Place Over and Over Again
To help prolong the life of your cutting board, it’s a good idea to vary where you work on the board occasionally. This can help to avoid uneven wear-and-tear and ensure that your board stays in good shape for the long haul.
You don’t have to obsess over switching up your cutting spot, but it’s good to periodically rotate the board and alternate with which side you’re using in order to distribute your cutting over the entire surface over time.
6. Never Leave Your Wooden Cutting Board Sitting Dirty
Like all kitchenware, wooden cutting boards are a lot easier to clean if you wash them right away after use. Beyond making the task easier, it’s also important to never leave your wooden cutting board sitting dirty if you’ve been cutting meat or fish on the board. Doing so can ensure that your board stays clean and safe to use.
7. Never Use Harsh Detergents to Clean Your Cutting Board
When you’re washing your wooden cutting board, it’s best to use a mild soap rather than harsh kitchen cleansers or detergents. It’s best to steer clear of dish soaps that are heavily-perfumed, too. These types of cleaners will dry out the wood more than is desirable, and a soap such as a castile-based liquid soap or a mild, unscented dish soap is much better suited for the job.
8. Never Alter the Surface Without Refinishing the Exposed Wood
Do you have a cutting board that you’re thinking of making some changes to? Maybe you want to drill a hole in it so you can hang it on your wall, or maybe you’re thinking about cutting the ends off to make it fit better on your counter.
No matter what you’re planning on doing to your cutting board, you’ll need to make sure that you refinish the exposed wood.
9. Never Use Fatty Oils to Re-Coat Your Wood Board
Oils that are high in fat aren’t the right choice for re-coating your board, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or vegetable oil. Because these oils have high fat contents, they can oxidize when exposed to the air and end up going rancid. That’s the last thing you want for your cutting surface! Instead, you’ll want to use a food-safe mineral oil or board butter.
10. Never Wash Just One Side of Your Cutting Board
It’s important that you always wash both sides of your cutting board even if you only did your chopping on one side. When you're hand washing your board, give each side a quick cleaning to make sure that your board dries evenly and doesn’t warp.
Are You Looking For a New Board?
Sirr’s Furniture is well known for creating high-qualify, handcrafted wooden cutting boards and other woodwork using exotic hardwoods. If you’re looking for a truly unique board to use in your kitchen or give as a gift, you’ve come to the right place.
You can take a look at our online shop here. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Feel free to place a custom order.
