Finding the right chopping board for your needs

A chopping board, or cutting board, is an essential kitchen tool that's used to make all of your cutting, slicing and dicing jobs easy and mess-free. With so many different types, shapes and sizes to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one will be right for your needs. Before you buy one, consider these factors:

• Is it knife-friendly? Your chopping board and knife will need to work in unison. A surface that's too hard can blunt or damage your knife. Softer surfaces are more ideal to maintain the sharpness of knives.

• Is it easy to clean? Hygiene is paramount when using and maintaining chopping boards. While wooden cutting boards require board oil to maintain them, a plastic one can be put in the dishwasher.

• What size do you need? Chopping board sizes refer to thickness and surface area. Consider what food you will be cutting the most to determine which size will be best.

• How durable is it? A chopping board needs to be durable enough to withstand many knocks, scrapes and cuts. Wooden boards are excellent as they have natural healing abilities.

Different materials available - from acacia to bamboo chopping boards and more

You can find cutting boards made out of a wide variety of materials - each one has its own pros and cons. Some of the most commonly used materials include:

• Plastic - Plastic chopping boards are affordable, dishwasher-safe and do not absorb any juices or water.

• Wooden - A wooden chopping board can be made out of acacia wood, teak wood, oak wood and much more. They're easy on knives, heal naturally, have antibacterial properties and look beautiful.

• Bamboo - A bamboo chopping board offers many of the same qualities as a wooden board, yet it is harder than teak and will not absorb water or juices.

• Glass - Glass kitchen boards are non-porous and won't absorb liquids. They're also lightweight, chip-proof and look elegant.

Design and appearance - different shapes such as round and square

At Kitchen Warehouse, we have an extensive range of chopping boards and carving boards in different shapes, materials, sizes and types to suit all of your kitchen needs. We have stunning rectangular Peer Sorensen wooden boards and Joseph Joseph carving boards with a lip to prevent liquids from running. We also have round wooden boards by Big Chop and MasterPro, long and short rectangle boards with straight and rounded edges, square boards and so much more.

Does the material, surface area and thickness matter?

It sure does! Before you buy a new chopping board, think about:

• Material. If you tend to cut a lot of meat, a plastic board is more hygienic as it won't absorb juices and breed bacteria. Wooden is best for bread, veggies, cheese and fruit.

• Surface area. Consider the size of food you will be cutting on the board and make sure it comfortably fits on the board you have chosen and doesn't hang over the edge.

• Thickness. Thicker boards are more durable and won't warp over time.

Types of wood chopping boards - end grain and edge grain

Wooden boards come with 3 different grains:

• Edge grain - This refers to the side of the board. Edge grain chopping boards are tough and soak up less moisture, making the upkeep of these boards easier.

• End grain - This is the end of the board. End grain chopping boards are the most durable and hide knife marks easily while the patterns are unique and unpredictable.

• Face grain - This is the outside of the wood and is commonly used for surfaces as it holds the most beauty. Face grain chopping boards mark more easily and are not recommended for heavy cutting and chopping tasks.

Benefits of a wooden chopping board

Wooden chopping boards are prized in many domestic and commercial kitchens for their beauty and their functionality. Check out these top benefits of adding one to your collection:

• Softer on knives to prevent dulling

• Aesthetically beautiful

• Natural healing properties

• Antibacterial

• Can be disinfected

• Can be sanded down to erase grooves

Chopping board sets

A chopping board set is a great way to save some money when you need several boards for different food types. Discover 2, 3, 4 and 6 piece chopping board sets by leading brands in varying sizes to accommodate every type of food and purpose. Chopping board sets also make great gifts! Combine them with our other kitchen accessories to delight any passionate cook, such as jugs, colanders, placemats, saucepans, cutlery sets and knife block sets.

Finding a large chopping board

If you frequently cut large items of food, buy a chopping board with a wide surface area to accommodate them. We have plenty of large chopping boards up to 50cm in length for slicing meat, bread, fish and more including Joseph Joseph Index Chopping Board set in Graphite.

Food safety and cross-contamination

When using chopping boards, it's essential that you use each one for just one type of food at a time to avoid any potential cross-contamination. Never cut up raw meat or fish on the same board that you are going to cut a loaf of bread or some veggies on. It's always best to purchase multiple chopping boards and reserve one for meat, one for bread, one for produce and so on to keep your food safe. You can also use a reversible board to keep different foods separate.

Maintenance, cleaning and care

Plastic chopping boards can easily be placed in the dishwasher to remove stains and keep them bacteria-free. Wooden chopping boards require a little extra care. Use our food-grade cutting board oils to prevent your board from absorbing moisture, cracking and splintering over time. All boards should be washed immediately after each use in warm, soapy water and disinfected once a week.

Durability and replacement time

The durability of your board will depend on the quality and how well you care for it. Wooden chopping boards tend to be more durable and can last anywhere between 4-7 years. Plastic boards can last between 1-5 years. If your board has dents, scrapes and cuts, it's best to replace it as they can harbour bacteria.

Recommended knives to use on your chopping board

Kitchen knives and chopping boards work together so you need to make sure they're a good match to prevent blunt blades and damaged boards. A hard chopping board will cause your knife's edge to dull faster than a soft surface. The most durable knives to look out for are made from stainless steel. You can find a massive selection of chef-quality knives at Kitchen Warehouse, from butcher knives and filleting knives to kitchen knives and Asian knives. You can also purchase a knife sharpener to keep your blades sharp and efficient at all times.

Chopping board vs. serving board

Technically, a chopping board is reserved for cutting food up in the kitchen while a serving board, or serving tray, is the platter that you will serve the sliced food on and bring to the dining room. However, wooden chopping boards are aesthetically beautiful and can easily double as cutting boards and cheese boards. They add a rustic charm to the table when using them to display bread, cheese, cold meats and other nibbles.

Additional features to look out for when buying a chopping board

Be on the lookout for these extra features to make your chopping board even more suited to your needs.

• Handles - to carry your chopping board anywhere

• Hanging holes - used for easy storage

• Rubber feet - makes the board non-slip and stable while cutting

• Dishwasher-safe - fast and convenient cleaning to remove bacteria

• Lip - essential when cutting meat to prevent juices leaking over the edge

Brands we know and trust

Kitchen Warehouse stock the best brands in Australia for high-quality, durable chopping boards you can count on for years to come. Discover Joseph Joseph, MasterPro, Epicurean, Scanpan, Dreamfarm, Peer Sorensen and much more

Buying online with Kitchen Warehouse

Kitchen Warehouse have everything you need to complete your kitchen and living space. Shop kitchenware, tableware such as cutlery, wine glasses and crockery, bakeware, cookware and more. We also offer homewares to style your home office, bathroom and other areas at lower than RRP. Save your favourites to a wishlist for later, pick up a gift card to surprise a loved one or checkout now with flexible payment options. Receive free shipping when you spend over $100 or use our store locator tool to locate your nearest store!

FAQs:

What type of chopping board is best?
This depends on your purpose and type of food. Wooden chopping boards are best for keeping knives sharp and have antibacterial and self-healing qualities. Use them for dry food such as bread and produce. Plastic boards are non-absorbent, dishwasher-safe and budget-friendly. Bamboo boards are hard, durable and won't absorb water or juices.

What are the advantages of using a chopping board?
Chopping boards are an essential kitchen gadget that serves a multitude of purposes. They make cutting all types of food faster and easier, they help you to avoid damaging your kitchen benches with knives, they prevent mess and they stop bacteria from contaminating your food and surfaces. A wooden chopping board can also be used as a serving platter and a rustic photo backdrop!