There is an age old debate over cutting boards that has been raging in kitchens the world over since time began… well not that far back because plastic was only invented relatively recently. The question? Which is better, wooden cutting boards or plastic cutting boards? Today I will weigh in on both sides and put the question to rest once and for all…hopefully!
It’s hard to say which one is better, wood or plastic, because when you get right down to it it’s not really something that is quantifiable but rather something that is just a personal preference. You either like chopping on wood or you like chopping on plastic; it’s an emotional thing.
Nonetheless I’m going to try and break it down and give you the pros and cons of each one so that you can pick what’s right for you.
Let’s Start With Wood Cutting Boards There are many great qualities to a good wooden cutting board. For one thing, they’re very beautiful and almost stand out like a piece of art in your kitchen. A well cured cutting board can last a lifetime if you really take care of it. Of course that can also be a downside as well because many people don’t like to put in the effort it requires to take care of the wooden board.
Also there’s just something about the satisfying sound knives make chopping when you use a wooden board. It feels solid and permanent and can actually give you a sense of peace and tranquility. Maybe I’m going a little overboard with this one but if you love wooden cutting boards you know what I mean! On the other hand…
Hard To Maintain wooden cutting boards need to be maintained or else they chip and crack and hold in bacteria and other germs and contamination. When you buy a new wooden or bamboo cutting board, you need to oil it down generously once a week for the first month or two using either expensive designer wood oil or cheap mineral oil that works just as well. After that you can expect to oil down your board once a month or whenever the woods starts to turn lighter in color.
Many people find this incredibly tedious because it takes several hours to oil down the board because you really have to let the oil seep into the surface and then you need to wipe it clean afterwards. Of course, you’re going to want to hand wash the board first to make sure all be food and gunk is cleared off. If you fail to oil your board it will crack and bacteria loves cracks.
More Expensive most wooden cutting boards are many times more expensive then even the most expensive plastic cutting board. You can expect to pay between $30 and $50 or even over $100 depending on the type of wood grain, as well as with size of the board. Butcher block cutting boards are even more expensive and butcher block countertops can cost several thousand dollars. This is a severe con if you ask me!
Now Let’s Talk About Plastic Cutting Boards the great thing about plastic cutting boards is that they are incredibly cheap. You can pick one up for less than $10 in a nearly infinite number of sizes, shapes, and colors as well as clear see-through acrylic.
Plastic cutting boards are often non-slip as well making them somewhat easier to use in some circumstances.
And probably the number one Pro is that they are incredibly easy to clean and maintain. You don’t have to oil them down ever and you can wash them with simple hot water and soap or simply stick them in your dishwasher if they will fit (and most will). We live in a hectic society and most people don’t have time to do things like oil down a cutting board. Being able to throw it in the dishwasher and forget about it is a major selling point for plastic boards of all shapes and sizes.
The downside of plastic: the only real downside that I know of when it comes to plastic cutting boards is that some people suggest that they will dull your knife quicker. Frankly I find this a little bit absurd. If my knife can’t handle a little plastic then it’s not much of a knife anyway! And besides, if it gets dull I could always sharpen it again in a matter of seconds with my handy little knife sharpener. So I’m not really sure this is such a big deal anymore, but people still talk about it so I thought I would mention it.
Another downside is that plastic boards generally won’t last as long as a good well maintained and well oiled wooden cutting board but it really doesn’t matter because they are so inexpensive that it’s not a big deal to run out to the store and buy a new one every year or two. At 10 bucks, you might as well!
So there you have it! The debate is over and I think plastic may have a small edge over wood. But at the end of the day, when you come right down to it, it’s still just a matter of personal preference and emotion and some people will never give up their wooden cutting boards… and maybe that’s the way it should be!
