Wooden and plastic cutting boards both serve unique needs when used in the kitchen. You might find that you want to have both kinds of cutting boards in your kitchen for different purposes.
Some people swear by plastic and some people swear by wood. You will probably find that there are benefits to both kinds of cutting board for different chopping and cooking needs.
Choosing between wooden and plastic cutting boards can be tough. You are probably ready to learn more about the difference between wooden and plastic cutting boards. Learn how they can both serve your needs in the kitchen, by reading on for more information!
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Benefits of Wooden Cutting Boards
Wooden cutting boards were the standard for many years. Plastic cutting boards are a fairly recent addition to the kitchen tools scene.
Wooden cutting boards might be made from various kinds of wood. They could be quite basic or have patterned cross graining or other beautiful design features included in them. Many wooden cutting boards are almost like works of art!
Durable
Wooden cutting boards are very durable and can provide years of service for your cooking needs.
You need to store them properly and sanitize them correctly after using certain food items. Your wooden cutting board will last for years and years.
Gentle on Knives
Knives can lose their edges and become quite dull when cutting on surfaces that are not wood. This is one of the biggest reasons that many chefs swear by their use in the kitchen.
Make sure you are not using bamboo or a very hardwood cutting board. Your wooden cutting board will be the right choice to keep specialty knives and other basic use knives in tip-top shape.
Easy to Clean
There can be issues related to wooden cutting boards becoming unsanitary. Make sure they are cleaned properly due to the porous nature of the wooden surface. Wooden cutting boards are very easy to clean and care for.
You should always be sure that you rinse off and wash your cutting board after each use. Be sure that you store it on end to dry. Storing it on end will allow moisture to run out of the pores of the wood and prevent warping and mold.
Wooden cutting boards also need to be stored in a light space. At least be sure to store in a dry place that will not be exposed to moisture or intense heat.
Storing your wooden cutting board in a location that gets moisture or heat daily can cause it to warp or become moldy.
Beautiful
Cutting boards are usually quite beautiful. They might be customized to show pictures, designs, or even with your name.
The beauty of wooden cutting boards is a big factor in being chosen by many cooks for their kitchens.
Benefits of Plastic Cutting Boards
Plastic cutting boards are very practical. They are a great choice for use when you need to cut things like chicken or other potential contaminants.
These could ruin a wooden cutting board if you are not familiar with cleaning them. Plastic cutting boards are often very easy to store as well and they dry easily.
Inexpensive
Plastic cutting boards are very low cost. This can make them a great choice for your needs if you do not want to have to invest in a spendy cutting board that will need special care.
This makes them a practical choice if you hate handwashing anything that you use in your kitchen.
Easy to Store
Most plastic cutting boards are quite thin and can be stored in almost any location. They are stackable and can be stored in small cupboards or under other dishes.
This makes them very practical if you have a small kitchen or a lack of storage in your kitchen.
Easy to Clean
You can clean plastic cutting boards by putting them in the dishwasher. They will not warp or bend when exposed to high heat. You can soak them if you want as well.
This can make them a great choice if you cut up a lot of meat. You don’t want to worry about hand washing a cutting board frequently to keep it sanitized.
The Cons of Both Kinds of Cutting Boards
There are cons to both kinds of cutting boards. You might not worry about these cons if you have both cutting boards in your kitchen.
But if you are trying to choose one or the other, you will need to consider the cons of each before making a choice.
Cons of Wooden Cutting Boards
- Can stain and be tough to clean
- Can warp
- Cannot be washed in the dishwasher or soaked in hot water
- Can take up a lot of space
Cons of Plastic Cutting Boards
- Not very attractive in most cases
- Can be hard on knife edges
- Not very durable compared to wooden boards
- Can bend and crease if very thin
Both Kinds of Cutting Boards Can Have Value
It is easy to see why both kinds of cutting boards can have their place in the kitchen. You might want to use a plastic cutting board for all your meat cutting needs, while a wooden cutting board takes care of the rest of your chopping requirements.
Being able to sanitize the plastic boards readily can help with kitchen clean-up. This can make your life much easier when you are cleaning up after a big cooking project.
You can have a beautiful wooden cutting board that you use for your daily cutting and chopping needs. You should also consider having a more practical set of plastic boards to handle the really tough work that needs to be done in the kitchen.
Tough jobs might damage a wooden cutting board. That being said, your wooden cutting board can do everything that your plastic cutting board can do.
Choosing the right kind of cutting board between wooden and plastic is more about personal preference than it is about performance.
Brianna is a self-published author with a passion for sharing her knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics with people who are looking to find the perfect items for their needs. She loves making sure that the right kind of informative content is available to people looking for quality products of all kinds. She is an avid horseback rider and reader when she is not writing.
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