Since you opted for a hardwood cutting board, you’ve inherited all the benefits that go with this product as well as the small commitment of caring and maintaining it to keep your board bacteria-free and generally ensure your cutting board lasts. Lifetime investment
Basic Cutting Board Care
Maintaining a wood cutting board is rather simple, but it takes commitment on a regular basis to make it last. Firstly, always wash with soapy water after every use and wipe it dry with a cloth. You must ensure two things, never place it in a dishwasher to wash it and never submerge it completely underwater to avoid cracks and warping.
Beside washing after every use, there are two additional processes you must follow to keep your wooden board clean.
First off, you’ll need to sanitize it with lemon and salt approximately every three months. Cut a lemon in half and grab your salt for this method, all you have to do is sprinkle the salt on the board and rub the lemon in a circular motion on the salt.
Secondly, protect your boards from future damage by keeping them well-oiled to prevent harmful bacteria from cultivating.
The number of times these processes need to be repeated depends on how often you use your cutting board
Avoid Washing Your Board in a Dishwasher
As far as dos and don'ts go, washing your board in a dishwasher an incredible negative when it comes to food safety. Since this kitchen essential is made out of wood, cleaning it inside a dishwasher will open the door for cracks. Consequently, cracks are an excellent place for bacteria to fester and grow. Also, dishwasher detergent has ingredients that can destroy your cutting board. All in all, by any means necessary, avoid washing your cutting board in a dishwasher.
Oiling Your Wooden Cutting Board
We saved the best for last. Maintaining your cutting boards mainly depend on oiling them regularly. First of all, you need to make sure your cutting board is completely dry and clean. Secondly, you need to pick the right oil. Remember to never use vegetable oil due to rancidification! Mineral, almond or grapeseed oils are always a good choice. Other flavorless and odorless oil types will work just fine as well. We also recommend beeswax and coconut oil, as alternate solutions. Finally, you can use branded oils, or create your own mixture. Whichever option you choose, make sure the oil is food grade and not prone to rancidity. One of the best mixtures to consider would be using both mineral oil and beeswax at the same time.
Simply dip a cloth into the warmed oil mixture, wipe the board and remove any excess. This process needs to be repeated either once each month or when you feel it’s becoming dry, depending on the use. This way, you’ll make sure the wooden cutting board lasts for years to come.
Whether you have maintained your boards appropriately or not, shopping for bulk cutting boards is always a good idea. However, even new ones will need proper care. These pieces of advice are rather simple, so make sure your cutting boards last!
