For some (me included) solid wood cutting board is aesthetically more pleasing – even the ones you actually use in cooking preparation. I mean, of course, those intended for charcuterie boards are really presentable. But I’m talking about the actual wooden cutting board that you use when preparing meals.
Some find it burdensome to clean, or to maintain – and understandably so, because have you seen a cutting board that is well, let’s just say obviously not well-kept? Yeah, it can get really nasty-looking, too. But hey, if you can clean and maintain it properly – you will surely appreciate a solid wood cutting board.
That is not to say that plastic cutting boards are no good. In fact, with so many designs and colors of plastic cutting boards in the market today, it can really be tempting to get one for sure. I mean there are a lot out there that do look chic, classy, and for most really ‘cute’ looking! Not to mention, these plastic cutting boards do have some interesting features as well.
So, again, let’s just say that it’s just a matter of preference.
But before you go about shopping for a replacement for your chopping board perhaps you would like to check out these pros and cons of having a solid wooding cutting board first. See if I can convince you to try it – if not to replace your plastic cutting board, perhaps to add in your basic kitchen tools must-haves.
The Pros of Using Solid Wood Cutting Board
Set to last a lifetime
Okay, perhaps not a lifetime but once you find a good solid wood cutting board, it will last for a very long time. Even if the surface would get damaged over time after prolonged use, you can quickly remedy it by simply sanding it away. How cool, right?
Makes chopping even more fun
For those who have an affinity for cooking, THIS is a biggie – the chopping part of this and that is already the start of the whole cooking experience. It gives you that very chef-y feel, lol! But seriously, cutting on a wooden board is quite a pleasure.
Gentle on your knives
Yes, especially so when you have those bloody expensive knives! Using a wooden cutting board is much gentler for the blades. Not to mention that you won’t need to sharpen your knives every so often (which can of course speed up their wear and tear especially when you’re not particularly good with them).
They’re very sturdy
Solid wood cutting boards are undeniably sturdy – you won’t have to worry about your chopping board moving or slipping. You can simply set it on your countertop and you’re all good. And did we mention that it’s gentle on your countertop, too?
And very sanitary, too
Contrary to what most people fear about using solid wood cutting boards, it’s actually more sanitary to use over plastic ones. Well given of course that you clean and maintain it properly. There is a study that shows, that for home use, while wooden cutting boards do absorb bacteria, they also have the capacity to trap and kill them. In contrast, the same bacteria can survive in plastic cutting boards at cold temperatures and can even multiply when at room temperature.
The Cons of Using Solid Wood Cutting Board
Not dishwasher friendly
Sure, you can use the dishwasher to wash them but it can really affect their durability. It is still, and preferably, should be washed by hand.
Needs maintenance
To make sure that your solid cutting board will last for a long time, you’ll have to regularly treat it with oil to protect it from stains and basically from preventing it to dry out.
They’re quite heavy
While the pro about wooden cutting board being heavy, is that it’s very sturdy, the con is that it can be quite burdensome to move around. So, naturally, you can’t just easily carry it here and there like you would when using a plastic cutting board.
You can certainly weigh the pros and cons of using a solid wood cutting board. I think it is definitely worth a try. If you are worried about how to clean a wooden cutting board, well worry not because it can really be easy.
As we mentioned, you can also try keeping a wooden and a plastic cutting board – anyway, you’ll be needing, ideally, at least two cutting boards in the kitchen so why not have both, right?
