A guide from board to board - or which cutting board to choose?

There are at least a few materials from which planks are made - but let's start with the most popular and basic one, wood planks.

The argument in favour of planks made of wood is certainly that wood, especially oak, has natural anti-bacterial properties. However, bacteria that get inside the board can escape and infect food. Therefore, when using a wooden board, it is important to keep hygiene in mind and, like your hands, wash them after every cooking operation (without using strong detergents) and then wipe them carefully dry. Wooden boards should also be systematically impregnated with edible oil or special paraffin oil for wood preservation. A well-cared-for, impregnated wooden plank will enjoy its beautiful appearance for many years.

The look is another huge plus of wooden planks, which add character and a cosy atmosphere to kitchens. Their warm colours and natural grain will suit both kitchen's rustic, Provencal, and traditional, as well as those arranged in a traditional style. traditional, as well as those arranged in Scandinavian style.

As far as looks and aesthetics are concerned, it is also worth bearing in mind that in addition to durability and resistance to damage, wood has properties that enable it to 'self-heal' - which means in practice that it naturally heals minor incisions, which, as we know, are inevitable in a board/knife duo. At this point, it is also worth mentioning that wooden boards do not damage knives.

Before choosing a board, it is worth considering the kind of wood it should be made of. The harder the wood, the better. Harder types of wood include oak ash, pear, acacia or cherry. Even harder are boards made of beech, hornbeam or yew. Among the hardest boards are bamboo planks made from compressed bamboo grass. Contrary to what you might think, these boards are extremely hard, do not absorb water as quickly as other types of wood and dry better, while being much lighter. Unfortunately, thick, solid planks of hardwood are not the cheapest option. However, it is worth remembering that you have been buying such a board for years and that it will accompany you from morning to night, decorating your kitchen with its natural and unique look.

Plastic boards, just like wooden ones, also have their advantages and disadvantages. The former certainly includes the fact that they can be washed in the dishwasher and can be cleaned with strong detergents, which makes them more hygienic than their wooden cousins. Like their wooden cousins, plastic cutting boards are also knife-safe and do not damage their blades. What's more, fans of colourful accessories and designs can choose from a wide range of designs, shapes and colours offered by kitchen accessory manufacturers.

Unfortunately, plastic is not as hard as natural wood and therefore, when buying a plastic board, you should be aware that the surface will soon develop a rather unattractive mesh of cuts. This is a testament to the culinary frenzy of its users. However, there is no need to cry over a scratched board! Plastic boards are cheaper than wooden boards and can therefore be replaced more frequently, which also contributes to perfectly hygienic working conditions in our kitchen. And Formadore.co.uk is open 24/7 ;)

Although boards made of marble, slate or other natural stones are unbeatable when it comes to beautiful appearance they are unfortunately not suitable as cutting boards for foodstuffs. Although they are easy to clean and difficult to damage They are very hard and extremely resistant to cuts, It is precisely this characteristic that makes them extremely dull and destroys knives extremely quickly.

Therefore... forget about platters and plates and invite these serving boards into your kitchen, which will serve as serving boards that will add to your dishes, snacks and starters and turn a simple sandwich into a fine-dining meal. We do just that!

As they say in the kitchen, 'a board is not the same as a board'. This is because some boards have special features and facilities that add to their functionality and make them a real friend of the home kitchen.

Ingenious grooves
Planks with grooves are the way to an even cleaner kitchen. Juices from roast meats, crumbs from crusty bread crusts and other 'leftovers' that are quietly waiting in the groove to be disposed of straight down the sink - this is a solution found in the boards that is recommended for all perfect ladies and gentlemen of the house!

A board that folds in half
A seemingly ordinary board, but one that's kind of clever. If you have a problem with sliced ​​food dropping off the board into a bowl or pot, just.... break the board in half (but only for a moment) and the problem disappears!

Where's my knife?
If you're one of those people who immediately forgets where their knife is when you put it down for a second, we have a clever patent for you here too.... Your board will happily watch over your knife for you. Just put it in a specially designed pocket in the board and you're done.

Do you get bored quickly?
The board is one of those products that will stay with you for a long time. So that its design doesn't get boring too quickly, we have double-sided boards for you. One day you cut on one side, the next you swap sides and have a completely different board, a 2-in-1.

Good question. After all, every board is different, so it makes sense to have several. Different boards for different products is the ideal solution to ensure the hygiene and health of its users. To make the storage and use of such boards convenient, manufacturers offer sets of boards that come with special markings and stands that allow you to elegantly store and easily identify the board you need. For meat, for bread, for fish, for vegetables...there is a choice!

Let's not kid ourselves, the first association when someone asks us what they're for is immediately cutting, right? Meanwhile, modern boards are so pretty and well designed that it's a bit of a shame to hide them in the corner of the kitchen . Let them shine in the living room! Our boards are keen to display snacks or desserts in an elegant way, and some love cheese just as much as we do, so they are keen to look after it and show it off properly. All the cheese boards are waiting here ! To find out more about alternative uses for boards, read our magazine "5 ways to use a kitchen board"