HomeShopFAQCustomer ServiceBlogCart (0)
A Guide to Cutting Board Maintenance

A Guide to Cutting Board Maintenance

December 11, 2019

A Guide to Cutting Board Maintenance

Next to the knife, a chef’s trusted partner in the kitchen is his cutting board. Without it, they would have to risk their fingers when chopping off of a surface that’s uneven or that’s way too smooth. Furthermore, they could endanger others’ health and well-being when prepping ingredients in an unsanitary surface. Just like how a knife gets dull over time, cutting boards become damaged after prolonged use. Luckily, there are ways to remediate these issues quickly.

Before we get to how cutting boards can be fixed, let’s talk about how they can be damaged first.

Mistakes Chefs Make that Ruin their Cutting Boards

Submerging in Water

Wooden cutting boards can retain built-up moisture when soaked in water. This can cause cracks and warping after drying.

Washing in a Dishwasher

As convenient as it may seem, dishwashers can ruin your cutting boards. The water and extreme heat in dishwashers can dry out boards quickly and cause cracking and warping.

Not Cleaning Thoroughly

When needed, it is suggested to sanitize your board using your preferred method. These methods can include natural products such as vinegar, salt or lemon juice.

Even high-quality wood boards can become unusable within a few months without proper care. It would be a shame to let your personalized board go to waste because of carelessness.

Another mistake that chefs make with their cutting boards is that they don’t invest in the proper cleaning and maintenance materials, such as mineral oils and beeswax.

Beeswax and Mineral Oil

Avoiding the mistakes stated above will protect cutting boards from major long-term issues. Another key to maximizing your board’s life is by protecting it. Beeswax and mineral oils have benefits for a cutting board that a chef shouldn’t miss out on.

Beeswax act as a protective seal for your board. Applying it every once in a while can prevent warping and cracking.

Beeswax can give cutting boards an elegant shine and a perfect finish that makes it look as good as new.

Mineral oil can prevent drying, which in turn prevents cracks as well.

Mineral oil can prevent liquids and moisture from seeping into the microscopic holes in the wood, thus preventing a build-up of moisture and bacteria.

What’s great about beeswax and mineral oils are that they are both natural and food-safe, meaning you won’t have to worry about any contamination issues if used properly.

Board Maintenance 101

It’s also not enough to only invest in beeswax and mineral oils. If chefs know how to care for their knives, they should also know how to care for their cutting boards. Cutting board safety is not only about keeping the board in a good condition, it’s also about avoiding cross contamination. Here are some general tips to keep in mind.

- When prepping food, make sure that the board is clean and disinfected.

- Wash the board after using it to cut raw meat. Using it to cut vegetables and fruits immediately after will cause cross-contamination.

- Discard the cutting board if it is fully worn out, Signs of unusable boards include dryness that’s not easily fixed with beeswax or oil, major uneven surfaces, and huge cracks.

- For new boards, coat it with mineral oil and beeswax and let it sit overnight. This will help prolong the board’s smoothness.

What’s good in using a high-quality cutting board if it isn’t properly cared for and maintained? With these tips and precautions above, you will be able to help ensure your cutting board lasts a lifetime. Ready to change the way you work in the kitchen? Check out our wide range of models and designs today!


Copyright ©2024 Engraved Cutting Board. All Rights Reserved.

secure ssl