A cutting board is an accessory without which it is difficult to imagine a kitchen - at least one in which you regularly cook. Set on the kitchen counter or tuck it away somewhere in a drawer, it is always ready to face the ruthlessness of a sharp knife.
Nowadays, boards made of various materials are available on the market - the most popular are still wooden boards, but there is no shortage of lovers of stone, bamboo, glass or plastic boards. They are used for both cutting and serving and have recently become an attractive element of... tableware. How do you use a chopping board so that it will last a long time and how can you make it a permanent feature in your dining room? Here are some tips.
Choose a board to suit the circumstances
Choose a board - its shape and the material it is made of - according to the function it is to perform and the qualities it should have. It is true that every kitchen should have at least three different cutting boards - each for a different type of food. Wooden boards are often affected by the smells of the vegetables you cut on them, such as onions, so it's a good idea to divide up your boards: one for cutting vegetables, another for fruit and a third for cutting meat and fish. It's also a good idea to have board number four in reserve - for serving snacks and cheese. If you don't have the head for experimentation, you can find ready-made board sets with labelled functions in our shop.
In terms of features, let's briefly list the advantages and disadvantages of each material:
| Wood has antibacterial properties and regenerates by plugging up small cuts. | These boards are made of compressed grass; they are more durable and lighter than wood, and eco-friendly (bamboo is a more rapidly renewable material). |
| It absorbs odours and needs to be cleaned properly (with salt or lemon juice; not dishwasher safe). | Like wooden boards, they need to be treated properly. |
Plastic boards | Stone and glass boards |
| Definitely cheaper than other boards, hygienic (dishwasher safe) and flexible, so they can often bend. | Very hard, jam resistant and can be washed with detergents and are easy to keep clean. |
| They are less resistant to a knife blade, wear out more quickly (and are also environmentally unfriendly). | They are slippery, so more dangerous when slicing; in addition, they dull knives quickly. |
Care for it properly
As you can see above, every board needs to be properly cared for. Wooden boards, like bamboo boards, should not be washed with strong dishwashing liquids and must be wiped dry after each use and washing. Plastic boards can and should be washed in the dishwasher, as they are less resistant to harmful bacteria. Glass and stone boards are the most antiseptic, although the latter are better washed by hand than in the dishwasher. Be careful with glass and stone when temperatures change rapidly - it is better not to use them as saucers for hot pots.
Use the board for more than just cutting
A board is not only used for cutting - it can also be used as a stand for snacks, as well as pots - as in the case of the sets offered by the Kitchen Craft brand. Wooden and bamboo boards work best with the latter, while cheese composed with fruit will look beautiful on stone boards from Nicolas Vahe. The glass boards, available in many interesting designs, will make an interesting addition to modern kitchens. These from Joseph Joseph seduce with their colours!
Serve food on a designer board
That's right - a board as a plate may seem extravagant, but it looks really beautiful. Take a look at the Rosendahl breakfast boards or the children's boards from Done by Deer. If you're a cheese gourmet, use a cheese board to serve your favourite delicacies on. Don't forget to choose the right cheese knives to go with them.
Use a stone board as a decoration
Stone boards are currently enjoying a triumph - made of slate or marble and combined with wood, they are not only a functional kitchen accessory, but also a beautiful decorative element. Such a board will decorate both the kitchen worktop and the table when dining with friends.
