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Straight to the Level
Our favourite wood reducing board is from The Boardsmith, whereas our budget-friendly decide is by IronWood Connoisseur. For plastic reducing boards, we advocate the OXO reducing boards or the Yoshihiro as our high-end decide. For carving boards, we like The Boardsmith with an added juice groove.
Reducing boards are difficult to buy. There’s such a large variance in worth, materials, and dimension! As a result of whereas an affordable miniature plastic reducing board could also be ample for slicing limes, it’s not perfect for prepping a considerable amount of meals, or utilizing it with regularity. The very best reducing boards are giant, with huge work surfaces so you might have loads of room to cut and get organized.
Though there are advantages to purchasing a plastic reducing board, we usually advocate wood reducing boards as a consequence of their sturdiness, longevity, and ease on knives (exhausting plastic can rapidly boring a blade). That stated, plastic is cheaper and simpler to keep up.
That will help you resolve what’s best for you, we’ll break down the components that’ll go into your resolution course of. We’ll additionally embrace which reducing boards to purchase, based mostly on our wood, plastic, and carving board evaluations.
The Winners, at a Look
Issues to Contemplate
Wood vs. Plastic Reducing Boards
Severe Eats / Vicky Wasik
Neither wooden nor plastic reducing boards are unequivocally “higher.” Wood board fanatics will reward their aesthetics, relative gentleness on knives, and pure materials. Followers of plastic boards can declare simpler upkeep and care, in addition to a (normally) cheaper price level. However we expect there’s worth in having each readily available. Let’s check out the place wooden and plastic boards differ, excel, and battle.
- Which is extra sanitary?: Standard knowledge tells us that plastic is a extra sanitary choice than wooden in terms of reducing boards. This can be a partial fact: whereas plastic is undeniably simpler to sanitize, it may be an equal or much more inviting setting for dangerous micro organism to linger. When plastic boards gather cuts and gashes as a consequence of repeated knife use, these grooves are an excellent place for micro organism to develop. Conversely, as we mentioned in our evaluation of wood boards, the fabric’s porous nature isn’t essentially a nasty factor: the fiber community within the wooden can entice micro organism and maintain it below the floor till it dies.
- Cleansing: Plastic is inarguably simpler to wash and take care of than wooden. You may depart a plastic board in a sink stuffed with dishes, soak it, and use cleansing brokers on it. Even when micro organism festers, you may bleach a plastic board or pop it within the dishwasher. Wood boards should be hand-washed, dried instantly, and handled with mineral oil to keep away from warping and cracking.
Severe Eats / Vicky Wasik
- Knife Use: Each time you utilize a knife, you boring the blade. However the floor you’re reducing on will both expedite or gradual that course of. Several types of wooden have totally different ranges of porousness. Maple and walnut are good choices, as a result of they’re not too dense (a high quality which is difficult on knives), however not so gentle that they instantly scratch. They’re pricier than acacia, teak, and bamboo, however these supplies could be unpredictably exhausting, and should lead to a knife blade that dulls extra rapidly (we particularly don’t advocate bamboo). Plastic additionally has various ranges of hardness, and may equally have an effect on a knife’s blade. In our evaluation of plastic reducing boards, we famous that the grip of a plastic reducing board issues, as nicely. A too-slippery floor could be annoying—and harmful—to make use of.
- Longevity: Over time, the gashes and scratches in plastic boards will render them unusable. At that time, they should be thrown away. Wood boards, alternatively, will final indefinitely. Though they too will present indicators of damage, they are often sanded all the way down to reveal a recent, new floor. (You shouldn’t have to do that greater than every year, even with heavy use. Make sure you apply a layer of oil after sanding and wiping clear).
Measurement
Severe Eats / Vicky Wasik
A reducing board is greater than only a place to cut. We contemplate them to be extensions of our work floor, and favor giant boards that approximate a workbench or extra-large chopping block. Search for boards that measure at minimal 12 by 18 inches to spice up their effectivity. We additionally desire boards with thick profiles: no less than an inch and a half. That is much less about making a visible assertion—though the argument could be made that huge, chunky boards double as decor when left on the counter. Fairly, the thicker boards are extra immune to warping over time.
Value
Wood reducing boards are usually dearer than plastic reducing boards, though they’re longer-lasting and don’t have to be changed…except they’re thrown within the dishwasher, or change into warped or cracked. However the price varies broadly amongst wood boards. It’s price noting that many people have used wood boards from The Boardsmith at dwelling for years and so they’ve by no means proven indicators of warping or cracking, however additionally they value greater than $300 (our favourite plastic boards, from OXO, are $24 for 2).
![MAPLE END GRAIN CUTTING BOARD](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/fuF7Vrtw-Gy9eaVe8nMW6vmYyxQ=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/maple-end-grain-cutting-board-1cca657d81b94aa78853ad7c3b8e3a94.jpg)
Board Smith
What we favored: Excessive-quality end-grain reducing boards value greater than well-made edge-grain reducing boards. We’ve acquired suggestions for each varieties. Our exams revealed the Maple Finish Grain Reducing Board from The Boardsmith to actually high. This board is meticulously made, with no visible or structural imperfections. It’s additionally a beneficiant two inches thick and we will let you know, first-hand, that it lasts for years and years with common use (and naturally, correct upkeep). For most people, we might advocate going with the 16- by 22-inch dimension.
(We additionally favored Brooklyn Butcher Blocks’ Finish Grain Maple Reducing Board. For a barely extra inexpensive choice, we advocate the Maple Lengthy-Grain Reducing Board, additionally from Brooklyn Butcher Blocks.)
What we did not like: Apart from the worth being prohibitive, there’s nothing we did not like about this board. It is well worth the funding.
Value at time of publish: $325.
Key Specs
- Weight: 18 to 19 kilos (for the 16- x 22-inch board)
- Customizations accessible: Ft; juice groove; finger grooves; sizing
- Wooden sort: Maple
Severe Eats / Vicky Wasik
![Ironwood Gourmet Large End Grain Prep Station](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/JBkZxfjke9YUUizm-rM8mTZseo0=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/61elvQ6RofL._AC_SL1280_-70685531836c4e40a1ac210231bcf0fe.jpg)
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What we favored: This end-grain board from Ironwood Connoisseur is extra inexpensive, as a result of it’s constructed from cheaper acacia wooden. Though acacia is more durable than maple, our high-end decide, it is vitally sturdy and immune to warping and cracking. This board can also be nicely below $100, making a particularly strong budget-friendly advice.
What we did not like: It comes with non-slip toes, which makes one aspect of the board unusable.
Value at time of publish: $66.
Key Specs
- Weight: 7.2 kilos
- Customizations accessible: None
- Wooden sort: Acacia
Severe Eats / Vicky Wasik
![Oxo Good Grips 2-Piece Plastic Cutting Board Set](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/tMXVtSzblyQ7YRhPUZGHb40sDpc=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/oxo-good-grips-2-piece-plastic-cutting-board-set-pack-of-1-abb38f3b223240f5a7ea6ffdc518d568.jpg)
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What we favored: If you need a plastic board that may be knocked round, used closely, and is out there in a wide range of sizes, you merely can not beat OXO’s 2-Piece Reducing Board Set. The boards are skinny sufficient to tuck into nearly any drawer or cabinet when not in use, however they’re removed from flimsy. We notably favored the rubber bumpers on two edges of the board, which hold it from slipping round throughout use. In contrast to grippy toes, the bumpers enable for the board to be flipped over and used on each side.
What we did not like: Nothing—actually! These boards are staples in our take a look at kitchen and in houses.
Value at time of publish: $24.
Key Specs
- Weight: 2.03 kilos
- Supplies: Plastic with rubber trim
- Care directions: Dishwasher-safe
Severe Eats / Vicky Wasik
![Hayate Yoshihiro Cutting Board](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/mXqfX6xbdf2lCMupctcE8ckWQq4=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/hayate-yoshihiro-cutting-board-e2acea983ef84f9298a9edfd59743187.jpg)
Amazon
What we favored: The Hayate Yoshihiro Reducing Board will set you again $115, however it’s well worth the unusually-steep-for-plastic price ticket. It’s gentle, and responds to knife blades equally to wooden boards and actually for the form of prepare dinner that likes to put money into their gear and maintain it. As we stated in our evaluation, “Designed to work with razor-sharp Japanese knives and the extra mild pulling movement cooks have a tendency to make use of in Japan, the Hello-Smooth board is just for of us who suppose they’ve the knives and knife abilities to deal with it with care.” We like that it is accessible in a ton of (learn: six) sizes, too.
What we did not like: For some, this board may be too costly.
Value at time of publish: $115.
Key Specs
- Weight: 4.75 kilos
- Supplies: Polyvinyl acetate
- Care directions: Hand-wash
Severe Eats / Vicky Wasik
![MAPLE END GRAIN CUTTING BOARD](https://www.seriouseats.com/thmb/fuF7Vrtw-Gy9eaVe8nMW6vmYyxQ=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/maple-end-grain-cutting-board-1cca657d81b94aa78853ad7c3b8e3a94.jpg)
Board Smith
What we favored; Carving boards have a trench across the edge to gather juice as meat is sliced. Some embrace further helpful options like raised grips within the heart to maintain meat from slipping because it’s dealt with. In our evaluation of the perfect carving boards, the Maple Finish Grain Reducing Board from The Boardsmith (with an added juice nicely!) excelled at each job, and it is customizable. You may add finger grooves, toes, and choose a dimension. In the event you go sans toes, the board’s reversible, too. And you are not imagining it: that is our favourite wood reducing board—simply with an added juice nicely. When one thing works, it really works—ya know? (Observe: In the event you’re hoping to purchase a carving board on a finances, we advocate the Additional Massive Walnut Carving Board from Virginia Boys.)
What we did not like: Apart from its heavy weight (and steep pricetag) there’s actually not a lot to dislike about this board.
Value at time of publish: $355.
Key Specs
- Weight: 18 kilos
- Customizations accessible: Ft; juice groove; finger grooves; sizing
- Wooden sort: Maple
Severe Eats / Taylor Murray
FAQs
How do you clear a reducing board?
What materials is your reducing board constructed from? Plastic reducing boards could be washed in sizzling, soapy water, rinsed clear, and air-dried. Most pliable boards could be cleaned within the dishwasher, too. A wood reducing board requires a bit of additional care, however it’s not as fussy to scrub as it’s possible you’ll suppose. Merely suds up the board with a sponge or bristle brush, rinse clear, then dry extra water with a towel. Dry it upright, or sitting on a cooling rack to help in air stream and fast drying—this can forestall cracking and warping over time.
How do you oil a reducing board?
Oiling your wood reducing board is vital for longevity; it situations the wooden, which prevents cracks and splits. It additionally offers a protecting sealant over the floor, which impedes bacterial development. Use food-grade mineral oil (not a perishable oil, like olive oil), and start by pouring a beneficiant layer excessive. Rub it in with a towel—it’s good to dedicate a particular towel for this objective—and let the oil sink into the board for a couple of minutes. This can be repeated on all sides of the reducing board, and ought to be finished every time the board appears to be like dry or thirsty. That may very well be as typically as month-to-month, or as sometimes as a handful of instances a yr.
Must you purchase a bamboo reducing board?
We don’t advocate shopping for a bamboo reducing board. Though they’re typically cheaper than maple or walnut boards, bamboo is difficult on knives. You’ll end up needing to sharpen your blades extra typically if you happen to chop and slice on bamboo.
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