Wood vs Plastic vs Bamboo Cutting Boards Comparison

Wood vs Plastic vs Bamboo Cutting Boards Comparison By Pratham Chhabra - December 26, 2021
Wood vs Plastic vs Bamboo Cutting Boards Comparison

Cutting Boards Comparison

In order to cook on a regular basis, you're likely to use a cutting board on a daily basis. Because a cutting board may come into contact with anything from raw vegetables to raw meat, food safety is an important consideration when purchasing a cutting board if you cook regularly, food safety is an important consideration when purchasing a cutting board. Aside from raw meat, vegetables and fruits may also be a source of foodborne illness, according to the CDC. 

Historically, wooden cutting boards were the norm; however, as plastic cutting boards became more prevalent, many people began to question whether plastic was more hygienic than glass. In my opinion, while plastic cutting boards have grooves and cuts that may provide a breeding ground for bacteria, most are dishwasher safe; however, cutting boards made of wood and plastic are not dishwasher safe. 

According to the findings, bacteria that had been injected into plastic blocks were able to multiply in as little as a few minutes or hours, and they were able to do so even if the blocks were left overnight. The amount of material recovered from woodblocks was significantly lower than that recovered from plastic blocks, whether new or old. It was also discovered that plastic cutting boards had a higher concentration of germs on their surface than wooden cutting boards, regardless of whether they were new or old. In your search for a quality cutting board, there are a variety of elements to consider; certain traits may be more significant to you than others, depending on your needs. 

High-quality wood cutting boards may cost hundreds of dollars, and low-priced plastic cutting boards can be purchased for as little as a few bucks. Durability will only be achieved by using vegetables and cheese as the only ingredients. there's an inverse relationship between price and durability in general. In addition, it is critical to observe how effectively you take care of him. An option is to use a cutting board that will not dull the blades. If you don't like sharpening your blades, this is the option for you. 

If you're slicing lemons or other little things, a medium-sized cutting board is better than a small cutting board for the job. Depending on your inclination, you may either wash everything by hand or put it all in the dishwasher, while soap and water can remove most stains from plastic cutting boards. While a good old-fashioned hand cleaning is necessary for harsher stains on wood looks, I prefer wooden cutting boards over plastic ones (although this may be a matter of personal preference). 

What kind of cutting board is the most durable and flawless in terms of durability and faultlessness? 

When the greatest wood cutting boards are produced of the highest quality materials, they may last for many years, if not a lifetime, provided they are kept in excellent condition. In order to eliminate scratches and other imperfections that may develop over time on plastic cutting boards, wood cutting boards should be lightly sanded. Depending on how often you use wood boards, you may want to use edible mineral oil instead of water to preserve them. Plastic cutting boards may last anywhere from a year to two years in most cases, while bamboo's strength is in the center of the spectrum. There is a broad selection of cutting boards that are safe to use with a knife on the market today. The use of a solid cutting board makes it more difficult to make cuts with a knife. 

Bamboo cutting boards 

A widespread myth about bamboo is that it is really a tree; nevertheless, the United States Department of Agriculture defines bamboo and other fibrous grasses as such. Cutting boards made of bamboo are recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture because of their long-term durability. 

While other hardwoods are more resistant to knife marks, USDA is more sensitive to them. Bamboo is more resistant to diseases than other plants. Eco-friendly. Besides that, bamboo is a recyclable material that can be reused time and time again. While bamboo may be harvested much more rapidly than hardwoods, it is not as durable. Using bamboo cutting board is becoming more popular because of its resilience and long life expectancy. Although wood planks are more expensive, this material is less expensive and has a similar visual appeal to wood planks. Cutting boards made of bamboo are environmentally benign and regenerative in nature, whilst hardwood planks have more porousness and microorganism-fighting properties than other types of wood. 

The appearance is comparable to that of wood planks. However, they are more affordable than wood boards. 

There are certain disadvantages to using bamboo cutting boards. 

Since bamboo blades are subject to dulling due to their hardness, the only method to clean them is with your bare hands. It's time to give your wood planks some delicate loving care by applying some mineral oil to them. Certain bamboo boards that have been treated with formaldehyde-based adhesives may eventually delaminate; always check the label before purchasing anything. 

Glass Cutting Boards

Cutting boards made of glass, for example, are brittle and can break easily when subjected to knife use. Accordingly, it is not possible to have both a low-maintenance cutting board and a low-maintenance knife in your kitchen at the same time. To keep the blades sharp, use a soft material such as wood or plastic. Most kitchen knives are made of stainless steel, which is the preferred material. 

It is essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of cutting boards made of wood, plastic, bamboo, or any other composite material before purchasing one. 

Wooden Cutting Boards

Wooden cutting boards are available on the market for cutting boards. Because of its appealing appearance and long-lasting nature, wood is a popular choice for flooring. Cutting boards made of wood are most often found in two primary species: softwood and hardwood. Because the fibers of hardwoods are smaller and denser than those of softwoods, they are more effective at inhibiting the growth of germs and are thus favored over softwoods. A few of the common hardwoods found in softwoods such as cypress and pine are birch, cherry, oak, walnut, and hard maple cutting boards, to name a few. Because of the breakdown of the coarser fibers, ridges, grooves, and depressions may be seen on the surface of the skin. Compared to a cutting board made of hardwoods, this kind of cutting board is less durable. 

Acacia wood cutting boards are in high demand these days because they are less expensive than hardwoods, have a pleasing appearance, and are water-resistant. Wooden cutting boards have a number of advantages and can last for decades or even a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. You will see them in display cases and on worktops for a reason. They are beautiful materials derived from sustainable and naturally occurring resources. Even while scratches may be smoothed out, the blades of your knives will not be harmed in the process. Wood planks of high quality are resistant to the formation of germs. 

However, depending on the kind and grade of wood used, top-end hardwoods may cost upwards of $300 for a single slab on a regular basis; some of the disadvantages of using wooden cutting boards include the following: 

wood cutting boards must have their natural buffer of edible mineral oil renewed after each use; 
the only way to clean them is with your hands after each use; 
if they are not properly cleaned, they may absorb smells and germs from the environment. 

Cutting Boards Made of Plastic

Plastic cutting boards or high-density polyethylene cutting boards are the most often seen here. However, many people find plastic cutting boards unappealing, despite the fact that they may be quite useful in both household and commercial kitchens. Some people are opposed to using plastic for environmental or health grounds; nevertheless, some HDPE cutting boards may be used with knives without harming the blades in specific circumstances. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed the use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) materials in the kitchen. 

Avoid using serrated blades on plastic cutting boards to protect yourself and your cutting board from injury. Plastic cutting boards offer a number of advantages, including the fact that they are affordable, simple to clean, and come in a range of colors, styles, and sizes. When compared to wood planks, vinyl is simple to keep and dishwasher safe. Vinyl requires little to no care. One of the disadvantages of cutting with plastic is that it has a lesser degree of durability. 

The use of a computer increases the number of scratches and dents on a computer, which provides an ideal breeding environment for bacteria. Plastics are seen negatively by many people as being damaging to the environment. However, if you use inexpensive plastic boards, the blades of your knives may be ruined. 

In addition, it is possible that the fact that glass cutting boards are inconvenient to use for those who don't mind hearing an incessant clattering of glass against the glass with every movement has something to do with it. However, for those who want to use a nonporous surface, a glass cutting board is the best option. The following are some of the benefits of utilizing a glass cutting board: dishwasher-friendly 

The following are the disadvantages of using a completely impermeable surface while cutting on glass: 

Cutting boards made of composite materials have become increasingly popular due to their ability to quickly dull knife blades and their ease of hacking and tampering. It has been a long time since composite boards, a hybrid of wood and plastic, were introduced. These cutting boards claim to be suited for blades, but the hard surface betrays that promise. It is possible to acquire a variety of colors, forms, and sizes that are long-lasting. In order to make cleaning a breeze, dishwashers are widely available. 

The abrasive nature of the surface makes it unsuitable for blade use; the thicker the material, the more costly it may be; it is possible for composite boards to delaminate if they are too thin when selecting a cutting board. There is no harm in trying different types of cutting boards.

A wood or bamboo cutting board is the finest option for slicing fruits, vegetables, cheese, and bread. When it comes to preparing raw meat, the choice of plastic or wood cutting boards is widely debated. Always thoroughly clean your cutting boards after each use and replace any that show signs of wear. Unlike wood, plastic cutting boards are almost maintenance-free. In addition, because plastic planks do not absorb liquids, they are a better choice for hygiene reasons. Instead of chopping meat on plastic cutting boards, you can slice it on wood planks, which are safe and germ-free. However, cleaning and maintaining wood planks requires more effort when it comes to rolling dough. Although glass cutting boards are beautiful, they should not be used for cutting tasks.

By Pratham Chhabra - December 26, 2021

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