Sugars and Spice

Cutting Boards

Which type of cutting boards are the most sanitary - Cutting Boards Reviews

There are many type of cutting boards, but which type of cutting boards are the most sanitary? This guide compare cutting boards with 5 kinds of material, you can make a decision after read this Cutting Boards Reviews.

Wood Cutting Boards

Advantages

* Easy on knives

* High-end boards can be refinished

* Attractive

* Can be as sanitary as plastic

Disadvantages

* Prone to nicks, scratches

* Need to be seasoned periodically

* Not dishwasher safe

* Varying quality depending on the wood and construction

Wood Cutting boards look elegant, and most experts say that wooden boards, despite their reputation, can be just as sanitary as plastic cutting boards. More expensive end-grain cutting boards (also called butcher block boards) are durable and can be sanded and refinished, extending their life.

Bamboo

Advantages

* Renewable resource

* Attractive and durable

* Natural bacteria-fighting properties

* Easy on knives

* Renewable resource

* Attractive and durable

* Natural bacteria-fighting properties

* Easy on knives

Disadvantages

* Not dishwasher-safe

* Periodic seasoning needed

* Quality varies

* Cheap bamboo will splinter

Bamboo takes just three to six years to grow, so it is a more eco-friendly resource than trees. Bamboo Cutting boards offer many of the same advantages and disadvantages of wood; like wood, quality varies considerably. Price will usually be an indication.

Composite

Advantages

* Dishwasher-safe

* Durable

* Easy to clean

* Attractive

Disadvantages

* May give off odor when wet

* Harder on knives than other types

* Not very eco-friendly

Composite cutting boards are made of fibers bound with glue or resin, sometimes with a wood laminate top. They are easy to clean, dishwasher-safe and more resistant to scratches and gouges than wood or plastic, but they'll eventually wear out as well. Some say they can sound "clackety" or give off an odor when wet.

Plastic

Advantages

* Easy to clean

* Inexpensive

* Gentle on knives

* Some are color coded

* Dishwasher-safe

Disadvantages

* Wear out quickly

* Gouges, scratches can harbor bacteria

* Not as attractive as wood or bamboo

* Quality varies

* Not eco-friendly

Although some major studies say wood can be more sanitary than plastic cutting boards, agencies including the Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture recommend plastic. But deep gouges can retain bacteria and become hard to disinfect, so you have to use common sense on when to retire them and buy new ones.

Glass

Advantages

* Sanitary

* Durable

* Attractive

Disadvantages

* Damages knives

* Prone to chips, breakage

Experts say that if you care about cutlery, do not subject your knives to hard cutting boards made of glass, stone, ceramics or metal. They are easy to clean, but one credible review says a glass board can dull a good knife after just 10 uses.

Cutting Board Disaster