4. Best Paper Composite: Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting Board
The Epicurian Kitchen Series Cutting Board is a beautiful and functional cutting board that will make meal prep a breeze. This board is made from edge grain construction, meaning it was made with strips of wood that are arranged side by side and then grafted together.
The Epicurian Kitchen Series Cutting Board is the perfect size for meal prep and is gentle on knives. The bamboo construction is also sustainable, making this board a great choice for eco-conscious cooks. Plus, the juice groove catches any drips, making it ideal for carving meats or cutting fruits and vegetables.
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5. Best Budget: Greener Chef Extra Large Bamboo Cutting Board
For professional chefs who are looking for a budget-friendly option, the Greener Chef Extra Large Bamboo Cutting Board is a great choice. It’s made of 100% organic bamboo and is large enough to accommodate all of your meal prep needs. Plus, it’s gentle on knives and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros:
Organic bamboo materials
Will not dull knives
It can serve as a cutting board and a serving tray
It doesn’t crack or splinter easily
Includes a lifetime replacement warranty
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Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Cutting Boards
When shopping for the best cutting boards, there are several factors you’ll want to keep in mind. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a cutting board to go well with your best kitchen knives:
Material
The material of your cutting board will play a big role in how long it lasts, how easy it is to clean, and more. Some common cutting board materials include wood, plastic, rubber, and glass.
Wood cutting boards: Wood is an excellent material for cutting boards because it’s durable, easy to clean, and gentle on knives. Some wooden cutting boards even exhibit self healing properties against constant knife cutting. The wooden cutting boards are also beautiful. However, wood cutting boards can be more expensive than other options and require more maintenance to prevent drying and cracking.
Plastic cutting boards: Plastic is a popular material for cutting boards because it’s inexpensive and easy to clean. Plastic cutting boards are also lighter and come in an array of colors, which is a preference for cooks who like to color code their boards to avoid cross contamination. However, plastic boards can dull knives more quickly than other materials and are more susceptible to staining and holding onto bacteria.
Rubber cutting boards: Rubber is a newer material for cutting boards that has many of the same benefits as plastic but is gentler on knives. Rubber cutting boards can also have a textured surface that helps to grip foods while cutting.
Bamboo cutting board: Bamboo is not wood but really hard grass. It’s harder and less porous than most hardwoods. The material is naturally anti microbial and won’t dull your knives. Bamboo is also a sustainable material that’s easy on the environment. It’s also a renewable source, so if you have a bamboo cutting board in your kitchen, it can serve as a handy cheese board or appetizer tray.
Glass or Marble Cutting Board Material: Glass is non-porous, so it won’t absorb food stains or harbor bacteria. It’s also heat resistant and can go in the dishwasher. However, glass can dull your knives and is prone to shattering if dropped. Marble is also heat resistant and has a smooth surface that’s ideal for rolling out dough. However, it, too, can dull your knives and is a porous material that can absorb food stains.
Size
You’ll also want to consider the size you’re looking for for a cutting board. If you do a lot of cooking, you may want to have multiple boards on hand in different sizes. A small board can be handy for quickly chopping up herbs or a few vegetables, while a larger one gives you more space to work with when preparing dinner.
It’s also important to choose a size depending on how big your knife is because you wouldn’t want to chop food on a board that’s too small and end up cutting yourself. Conversely, you also don’t want a board that’s so large it becomes cumbersome to use.
Multipurpose vs. Dedicated Cutting Boards
When you’re looking for the best cutting board for your kitchen, you’ll also want to decide if you want a multipurpose board or a dedicated one. A multipurpose board can be used for multiple tasks, such as chopping vegetables, slicing meat, and even serving food.
Dedicated cutting boards, on the other hand, are boards that are only used for one specific task. For example, there are meat cutting boards and vegetable cutting boards. These boards usually have features that make them better suited for their specific task, such as raised edges to keep juices from meat from spilling onto your countertop.
Which is the best option for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you do a lot of cooking, then a multipurpose board might be the way to go. However, if you only occasionally cook or entertain, then a dedicated board might be all you need.