A lot of people tend to underestimate the importance of cutting boards. Therefore, in this article, I want to prove to you the opposite. After spending many hours speaking with my friends (one of the best chefs) and based on my experience, I concluded that cutting boards are the essential kitchen accessory. The reason is that every meal starts with them. Before cooking, you need to prepare the ingredients, and, as a result, you can’t do it without one of the best cutting boards. How to choose them? What is the best material? Today, I will tell you everything. Be ready to find a lot of new information here!
Types of Cutting Boards
I decided to present this article as a product review. Therefore, in the next section, we will discuss eight top-rated cutting boards. But before, let’s figure out what type could the cooking board be. Commonly, chiefs divide them by materials, not shapes. I suggest looking closely at five such boards: wood, bamboo, plastic, rubber, and composite.
In my opinion, the wood chopping board is the most popular board type, which you probably, have in your kitchen. They have a lot of advantages, are heavyweight, and eco-friendly (wood is a renewable resource). Moreover, wood boards are kind to knives and keep them sharper longer. The disadvantage list includes their price and non-hygienic. Typically, a wood vegetable cutting board costs much more than a plastic one. What about hygienic, you should remember that in its micropores from the knife, food particles accumulate, and rotting processes begin. Also, after washing, such boards remain wet for a long time.
Bamboo cutting boards gained popularity not so long ago. They are straightforward to process and, therefore, often bought by people conscious of the environment. Another advantage is their resistance to water. However, bamboo boards have a considerable drawback: their possible toxicity. Bamboo plantations are located in the swampy lower reaches of the rivers; because of this, toxins and heavy metals deposited from factories and cities located upstream are placed in bamboo tissues.
Like bamboo, plastic is also a material that is resistant to water. Plastic boards have gained immense popularity due to their low cost and the vast amount of choice. However, a widespread problem is the lack of marking on them. Because of this, it is difficult to determine what plastic type was used. The next big drawback is that low-quality plastic boards can be destroyed in the dishwasher or under the influence of chemicals.
Rubber cutting boards are very portable, which is why they are prevalent among travelers. They do not take up much space and can curl up into a small tube. They are easy to wash. However, due to their unpopularity, rubber boards are difficult to find in the store. Also, you should not forget that rubber is not an organic material. Therefore, my recommendation is to use these boards rarely.
The last type of cutting board I want to tell you about is composite boards. For their manufacturing, people use a combination of phenolic resins and various wood fibers. Such boards are incredibly durable, making them a suitable choice. But, at the same time, you should also remember that they are quite expensive and heavy.
Cutting Board Reviews: How To Choose the Best One?
In the previous section, we discussed five cooking board types: wood, bamboo, composite, plastic, and rubber. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, there is no one best cutting board material: you should always balance its characteristics. There are a lot of other cutting boards, such as glass, stone, and so on. I decided it would be better to dwell on the cutting board reviews. Here is a quick overview:
- Firstly, I will tell you about the company that manufactured an item;
- Then, I describe the main board’s characteristics: who needs it most, what material it is made from, how durable the board is, how difficult is it to clean, storage, and so on;
- Next, you will see the table where I put the pros and cons;
- Finally, we will discuss the price.
So, let’s start with the first item — OXO Good Grips Carving and Cutting Board.
1. OXO Good Grips Carving and Cutting Board — A Professional Cutting Board
Following the plan presented above, the first point is the brand’s description. OXO is a company that manufactures everyday items, including kitchen appliances. One of the largest brand’s advantages is that they are always looking for better ways to design their products; therefore, they have a huge assortment of products suitable for every situation. Moreover, OXO reacts to customer’s feedback very quickly. I had a situation when I needed the company’s advice as fast as possible, and they answered after a couple of minutes. The brand produces things only from high-quality materials and at affordable prices.
This carving and cutting board has the following dimensions: 14.34-in x 21.11-in, which is useful for chopping a wide range of products. The design is immaculate and minimalistic. You can use it from two sides: one for meat and one for vegetables. The board is resistant to odors and won’t dull the knife blades. You can use it for a long time, and the washing remedies will not damage it. The good news: you can even put the board into a washing machine.
- The board is odor-free;
- It is suitable for vegetables, meat, and fish;
- It is effortless to clean and can be put into a washing machine;
- The board does not dull the knife blades;
- Professional chefs widely use it.
- Expensive.
Although I wrote that OXO products are sold at an affordable price, this item is quite expensive. The average price is about $30. In addition, this board is not shipped to all countries and regions.
2. John Boos Cherry Wood Cutting Board — The Best Wood Cutting Board
John Boos & Co. is one of the leaders in manufacturing butcher blocks, stainless steel gourmet, and foodservice products, including good cutting boards. It was established more than 100 years ago, in the United States of America in 1887. Most of the nice cutting boards produced by John Boos & Co. were made from high-quality wood, not plastic or rubber. Moreover, the trees were also grown in America; the company does not import wood from other countries. Besides cool cutting boards, the brand also produces kitchen carts and furniture. The only remark — all of them were made from stainless steel and American wood. Due to this combination, you can be sure that one can use all products for a long time.
This cutting board is available in several sizes and colors. I used the board of the following dimension: 18 x 12 x 1.5 inches, but you can purchase the boards of 20 or 24 inches in length. The available colors for purchasing are Cherry, Maple, Maple with Juice Groove, and Walnut. By the way, they differ not only by color by shape too. I recommend you take this board into account if you are looking for a large and durable item. John Boos & Co. provides each customer with a one-year warranty. If you decide to buy the wood board, do not forget that this type is not resistant to water and can be damaged. Therefore, I also recommend you purchase the special oils or creams for their care separately.
- The cutting board is made from the high-quality wood grown in America;
- John Boos & Co. is one of the industrial leaders;
- The board is available in several colors and sizes.
- Very expensive;
- You should buy additional board care products.
However, the board is very expensive. It costs around $100, but the company tends to make different sales and discounts. Therefore, I recommend you to follow this news.
3. Organic Bamboo Cutting Board with Juice Groove — The Best Bamboo Cutting Board
Royal Craft Wood specializes in manufacturing high-qualitative home products made from bamboo. In the company’s assortment, you can find the items for the bathroom, kitchen, and various home accessories, such as drawer organization. By the way, Royal Craft Wood has a line of gift products. You can browse by gender or room. All of them have a lovely look and a beautiful package. But let’s return to the material of their products. Remember, in the beginning, I mentioned that bamboo has one and substantial disadvantage — toxicity. Commonly, the bamboo plantations are located in the swampy lower reaches of the rivers. That is why they can be toxic as the various toxins and heavy metals from the plant located above are thrown to the river. It is worth saying that the plantations for Royal Craft Wood are located in a completely safe environment, and the company is following bamboos’ quality very much.
This bamboo cutting board is available in five sizes: small, medium, XL, XXL, and Thick. This item is entirely resistant to cuts and scratches. Moreover, due to the fiber density, the board can recover itself over time. I recommend you take a closer look at this board if you need an item for everyday usage. It is not suitable for traveling, or frequent movement as the board is heavy. Similar to John Boos & Co., Royal Craft Wood company also provides each customer with a full money-back guarantee. The board’s surface is suitable for meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables. It does not dull the knife blades and is completely eco-friendly.
- Affordable price, and frequent discounts;
- Knife-friendly;
- The board is from high-quality bamboo;
- It matches meat, fish, vegetable;
- Self-healing.
- Available in one color only.
If we compare the quality and price, in my opinion, the board should cost much more than it costs. On average, you can buy it for $20. Also, Royal Craft Wood tends to provide various discounts and special offers.
4. Gorilla Grip Original Oversized Cutting Board — The Best Relation of Price and Quality
Gorilla Grip is one of the brands of Hills Point Industries, LLC company. Other brands are Sofa Shield, Grip Master, Kangaroo, Ninja, Mighty Monkey, GripMAX, and the Connecticut Home Company. Each brand specializes in the manufacturing of certain products and has its particular assortment. Thanks to this branched structure, the company managed to maintain high standards of customer service and product quality. Gorilla Grip focuses on the manufacturing of the items of everyday use, including bath rugs, high quality cutting boards, furniture covers, anti-fatigue, bath, and doormats, drawer liners, rug pads, and so on.
I should admit that this board is the best large cutting board I have ever used. Therefore, if you need the board with a bi-cover square, take into account this item. The board is available in a large number of color combinations: black and white, aqua and white, gray and aqua, gray and red, hot pink and white, and so on. The board is dishwasher safe and resistant to water. Besides, it has a small depression in the middle. Thanks to this, you can be sure that your vegetables will not scatter around the table. The board does not dull the knife blades. By the way, you can purchase the board package that includes three different boards. You can choose the color for each item.
- It features high quality and is sold at an affordable price;
- The board does not damage the knife blades;
- Durable and strong;
- You can wash the cutting board in the washing machine.
- The materials are not eco-friendly.
Despite the many advantages the board has, Gorilla Grip sells it at a reasonable price. On average, you can buy it for $40.
5. Joseph Joseph Foldable Plastic Cutting Board — The Best Plastic Cutting Board
Although Joseph Joseph company manufactures kitchen and bathroom goods, they are mostly known for kitchen appliance production. I have faced many humorous situations discussing the products of this company with friends, and they were surprised to find out about their bathroom accessories. The vast majority of the appliances are made from plastic. The type of plastic they use is stated, no secrets. One nuance, as Joseph Joseph is an American-based company, the shipping to other countries can be expensive; therefore, check the costs before purchasing it.
This foldable plastic cutting board is Joseph Joseph’s bestseller. This cutting board is the winner of numerous competitions, and it is available in several colors and sizes. I am using large, but you can purchase the mini or small cutting board. As it is made from plastic, the board is completely resistant to water and can be put in the washing machine. Besides, the product has a very convenient handle at the top, which allows you to pour out chopped foods easily and without scattering them around the kitchen.
- Appealing price;
- It is made from high-quality plastic;
- The board is water-resistant;
- The cutting board has different colors and three sizes.
- The knife can leave marks on the board.
The item has an affordable price that varies by the size you select. The large board’s price is $20, and you can buy the small item for around $15 – $17. Finally, the price of the mini-board is less than $10.
6. Commercial Black Plastic Cutting Board — Easy to Clean Cutting Board
Thirteen Chefs manufactures the products that are widely used in professional kitchens. At the same time, thanks to the brand’s affordable price policy, almost everybody can purchase an item for home use. Although Thirteen Chefs specializes in producing wood goods and products for their care, some of their boards are made from plastic, including this commercial black cutting board.
This best cutting board for meat and vegetables was made from the Superior High-Density Polypropylene (HDPP) — safe and non-toxic plastic-type. The board is very effortless to clean and store. It is available in a single color and size, which is quite large. The surface dimensions are 20 x 15 inches.
- Made from high-quality plastic;
- The board is straightforward to store and clean;
- Suitable for the washing machine.
- It is susceptible to knife marks.
The board’s average price is about $20. But I recommend you to follow the company’s news as there are a lot of various discounts and special offers.
7. Epicurean Non-Slip Series Cutting Board — The Best Composite Kitchen Board
Epicurean is a well-known company that produces kitchen appliances. Their slogan claims: “Epicurean — the heart of the kitchen.” I agree as I can’t even imagine a kitchen without any product made by Epicurean. One of its advantages is the production of paper composite boards that are entirely eco-friendly and easy to use.
This item features different colors and sizes. My favorite color is a natural one. However, you can buy it in black or light shades. This cutting board is temperature resistant to 175 degrees C. Also, it has silicone corner covers that are easy to remove.
- The silicon corner covers that protect the board;
- High temperature resistant;
- The board is available in several colors and sizes.
- It is not resistant to water.
As all materials are eco-friendly and the company is well-known on the market, the price of its products, including this board, is not low. On average, you can purchase this item for more than $30.
8. B.Brown Large Round Wood Cutting Board — The Best Round Wood Cooking Board
Here is the final item in our best kitchen cutting boards review. B.Brown company is well-known for its wood board manufacturing. It has only a few items in its assortment. As the company is based in the USA, shipping to other countries can be expensive, so check the price in advance.
This multifunctional round cutting board suits any kind of food: meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and so on. But do not forget to buy additional care products as the wood is not water-resistant. The board is crafted from 100% natural hardwood.
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- Available in four sizes;
- Made from the natural hardwood;
- Durable.
- You should buy additional wood care products;
- Expensive.
The board by B.Brown is not a cheap product — the average price is about $50, though it can change.
What Is the Best Cutting Board?
It is the question I aimed to answer at the beginning of the article. And I made the conclusion that there is no one single correct answer as each board type is perfect for the particular goals. Therefore, I made the review of eight cutting boards that I considered to be the best. These items vary by shapes, materials, and colors. The two characteristics that combine all of them are high-quality and durability. What do you think the best cutting board is? What facts did you rely on when making such a decision? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
