What cutting board to choose ?

Updated article : 31/07/2019

We encourage you to eat healthy foods and cooking yourself more often possible. You have probably already wondered what was the best cutting board.

Should we choose a wooden plank or a plastic ? Would wooden plank be, as so-called, less hygienic ? A Board used plastic doesn't risk free small pieces of plastic in food ? What are the tips to have a Board of impeccably clean ? Food dangers led the investigation to illuminate your lanterns for the purchase of your next cutting board !

Let's start with a small summary on different cutting boards market.

Wooden planks

Beech Board : It is the most common Board. The wood is relatively hard but may warp in contact with water.

Exotic wooden plank : Very resistant, rot-proof but not very environmentally friendly because it participates in the deforestation of tropical forests (Asia, Africa, South America).

Bamboo Board : It does not penetrate water (so does gondola) and is highly resistant. Indeed, It is harder than beech or maple. It is also rather ecological since bamboo is a renewable resource (It is not necessary to replant because bamboo repels all alone and very quickly). Attention however to the finish, If the Board is not perfectly smooth plan on sanding with Emery to avoid small splinters.

The downside of wooden planks, in general, It is that they eventually deform to some and to split due to moisture if they are not solid wood.

Plastic boards

PVC Board (Polyvinyl chloride) : Non-porous, very solid, would ensure a total hygiene (lowest disadvantages).

HDPE Board (polyethylene high density) : Non-porous, would ensure a total hygiene, It is very rigid and resistant.

The tempered glass Board

It is resistant to high temperatures, washes very well, can go in the dishwasher and is not afraid of scratches from knives. Attention to a Board with non-slip pads. The sensation of cutting is different, il faut aimer… Le verre est très dur pour les couteaux, think about sharpening often.

The marble Board

Uncommon, the marble is very heavy to carry but, like glass, it washes very well and is not afraid of scratches from knives. Like glass, the marble quickly damage knives.

What is the most hygienic Board ?

The microbiologist from the University of California, Dean Cliver, has conducted an experiment [3], [4], to know that she was the Board the more hygienic between wooden plank, plastic and marble. He filed at the center of the boards bacteria, It was then soaked, washed with conventional detergent then dried. Samples have been made at the centre boards and edges.

It found that the marble Board showed some signs of bacteria but that were present on the surface of the plank ! Indeed, as the Board is smooth, the bacteria have spread everywhere contaminating the entire surface (even if the layer of bacteria remains low).

Wooden plank presents in places of the small colonies of bacteria. The wood being porous, In contrast to the marble, bacteria have remained where they were applied. They do not spread and thus contaminate not any Board.

Most surprising, wood is naturally the germs would rid. Cliver explains that the wood "is a very porous material by this fact., the liquid is sucked into the wood by capillarity. When there's bacteria in the liquid, they come in wood and come back ever in life., and adds that «»[bacteria] die slowly. It may take a few hours and finally they are no longer able to cause any problems".

After 12 h, It was indeed left traces of bacteria but had reduced their number of 98 % more from 99,9% in some cases [5].

The Board plastic presents more bacteria that the other two boards. Bacteria lodge in the small cavities and scratches and are thus not eliminated by washing. Worse, they reproduce faster and more easily in these cavities, explains the microbiologist.

Conclusion : The best Board is wood. The Board marble arrives even before the Board plastic, who is in the last position. These results do not surprise the teacher because he, in many similar experiences, wood always ends up winner.

Recommendations

It is recommended by experts to use two cutting boards, one for meat and one for fruits and vegetables, in order to avoid contamination between several raw food.

Replace the boards too much waste.

Tip : It is possible to plane wooden plank to make new smooth. So do something for the environment and economy for your portfolio.

You'll understand, We recommend wooden cutting boards, but as says the microbiologist Cliver, It is necessary that the Board is in a very hard wood to prevent germs grow in deep scratches caused by knives.

There are boards that are equipped with an antibacterial coating. It is first and foremost a marketing argument because according to studies, efficacy against germs is relative and the coating would start quickly.

Tips for washing your boards :

Clean the Board after each use.

Wash your boards with the detergent and rub well.
Rinse with warm water.
Disinfect with slightly enriched with water of bleach (5ml to 500ml of water). Attention however to rinse very thoroughly the plank because bleach is not a food product (This step does not unanimously).
To finish, allow to dry in the open air, or dry with a clean, dry cloth.

It is also possible to wash his surfboard in boiling water but this is not always possible for large boards.

Attention : do not pass your wooden board in the dishwasher !

Here is a selection of wooden cutting boards that we can recommend :

Main sources :

[1]. The Government of Canada chemical substances Web site (www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.GC.ca)
[2]. Technical Fact Sheet on Di (2-ethylhexyl) adipate.
[3]. amgar.blog.processalimentaire.com
[4]. barfblog.FoodSafety.KSU.edu
[5]. www.IngentaConnect.com

F. Boyat

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View Comments

Coralie says:

27 July 2011 at 21 h 08 min

Hello, l'étude bactériologique portait-elle aussi sur les planches en verre trempé ? If Yes, What is the result for this type of Board ?
- F. Boyat says:
  
  28 July 2011 at 13 h 22 min
  
  Hello, l'étude n'a en effet pas porté sur les planches en verre trempé. We assume that the results may be similar to marble boards.
Djamel says:

4 November 2011 at 0 h 39 min

I think that the plastic is not good.
ainsci than most of the wooden.
Why and cutting biebn ,We REC-real grooves.
And the s nouritures deposit.
So this may n that cause problems.
By contrast effectively with tempered glass.
There are more this problem.
I find not normal that this site n not talk
- Jean-Marc says:
  
  29 May 2013 at 20 h 02 min
  
  Note that to avoid the furrows in wooden planks, il suffit d'utiliser des planches artisanales réalisées en bois de bout. Indeed, the fibres being end are not cut and when cleaning the plank with a damp sponge, some traces of knife close by inflation of fibres. Thus the furrows disappear leaving no chance to bacteria.
  Kind regards.
Christine Boudreau says:

3 January 2012 at 20 h 45 min

Hello!
J'aurais aimé une étude plus complète qui tienne compte des dangers chimiques associés au nettoyage et désinfection, more particularly the plank of wood. This type of Board is considered bactericidal, maisqu'advient-il des produits chimiques en contact?
- Jean-Marc says:
  
  29 May 2013 at 20 h 06 min
  
  you are quite right, le meilleur nettoyage pour la santé c'est d'utiliser le solvant le plus économique et écologique, je veux parler de l'eau. To clean my wooden planks, I pass under the tap, I vigorously rubbed with a green to recover when she is fat, je l'essuie avec un microfibre puis le sèche avec un linge propre.
  Je n'utilise aucun produit chimique.
  La lutte contre les bactéries est également assuré par un séchage de quelques heures à l'air ambiant entre chaque utilisation. C'est confirmé par les conclusions de l'étude ci-dessus décrite.
  Kind regards.
  - Cauchois Alain says:
    
    25 August 2013 at 11 h 57 min
    
    Additional tip,
    After washing, pass with a Microfiber, a little white household vinegar. Cheap and very ( 60CT the L) effective against bacteria., and away flies and other flying insects , especially if you live like me, the campaign !!!!
Marie-Claire says:

25 October 2012 at 21 h 20 min

In fact, wood, glass and marble are the best materials. I clean them with white vinegar. C'est un produit alimentaire. D'ailleurs j'utilise largement le vinaigre blanc pour presque tout.
nono25 says:

10 January 2013 at 10 h 52 min

Hi all
Why suggest that wooden or plastic boards would be dangerous ? Ce qui l'est c'est le manque de nettoyage, de dèsinfection de l'outil, par exemple laisser la planche sale dans l'évier alors qu'il est préférable de la laver immédiatement. Il existe d'autre part des produits alimentaires bios pour une désinfection totale en profondeur.
Namely that wood in the dishwasher twists ouse cracks if 1 the Board is of poor quality 2 si elle n'est pas bien ranger quand elle doit sécher
Daniel says:

12 March 2013 at 17 h 10 min

Since 85 years, Baribocraft French franc Canadian lumber to ensure the quality of its products. The question of the safety of the planks of wood is often questioned because urban legends are ubiquitous. L'étude de l'Université de la Californie rejoint d'autres études semblables qui concluent que la planche en bois est la meilleure. Santé Canada ainsi que le Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec n'interdisent pas l'usage du bois en cuisine. Ils préconisent des mesures d'hygiènes établies dans le secteur alimentaire. Therefore, une planche en bois doit être lavé à l'eau savonneuse propre, essuyée et séchée à l'air ambiante. Do not put in the dishwasher. Le bois de chez-nous est un matériau noble qui ajoute au plaisir de la table et pourquoi s'en priver ?
Daniel vachon says:

14 March 2013 at 3 h 30 min

Once again, le microbiologiste de l'Université de Californie confirme que le bois est le meilleur matériau pour les planches de travail. Les légendes urbaines ont la vie dure en regard des planches de bois et ce genre d'étude doit rassurer les consommateurs. For more than 85 years, Baribocraft Canada uses Canadian hardwood for its high-quality products recognized around the world.
- Bob says:
  
  2 February 2014 at 11 h 37 min
  
  Quickly, I'm going to buy a Board Baribocraft Canada because Baribocraft Canada uses Canadian hardwood!
  Most never of questionable wood instead of france wood Canadian Baribocraft Canada !
  
  J'ai bien compris le bourrage de crane ou j'ai besoin d'un troisieme message ?
Rassenfosse Roger says:

20 September 2013 at 18 h 30 min

Merci pour ces informations très intéressantes...

:-)
Francis says:

28 October 2013 at 18 h 27 min

J'aurais aimé qu'on fasse l'analyse avec la planche de plastique lavée au lave-vaisselle. The results would be different.

J'ai certains doutes aussi sur la véracité de l'article. It affirmed that the PVC contiendrai lead. It makes 40 years that lead is banned in the manufacture of PVC compound. Je ne pense pas qu'il y ait encore aujourd'hui des planches fabriquées avant les années '80...
Guillaume says:

20 November 2013 at 12 h 14 min

Good article, dommage toutefois de concluer le processus de nettoyage par une désinfection à l'eau de javel, hautement toxique pour la santé des personnes qui cuisinent tout comme pour l'environnement. Qu'en est-il des planches en fibre de bois, dont il n'est rien dit ici... Je trouve sur d'autres pages internet des affirmations selon lesquelles elles seraient "ecological", but no arguments accompany them!