Wooden cutting boards: types, shapes and choices

Wooden cutting boards appeared in the Middle Ages, and existed almost unchanged until the 20th century. However, even with the advent of new technologies and materials (analogs made of plastic and glass), wood products have not sunk into obscurity. Moreover, such boards have improved and today they delight in functionality, variety of shapes and sizes.

One of the main advantages of wooden boards is their environmental friendliness. But this is only true for products made from a single piece of wood. If we talk about glued versions, then they are wooden lamellas fixed relative to each other. Such products a priori cannot be called environmentally friendly, because they contain glue.

Exists special types of end boards, which are made of wood and even withstand chopping of meat, blows with a metal hammer. However, even the most common wood version is not afraid of stabbing. It will not crack or be damaged if it falls from a height. Such a kitchen accessory suitable for daily use.

Unlike glass and ceramic counterparts, wood planks do not blunt knives... And the knock of a knife on wood is not annoying (like, for example, the creak of knives on the glass surfaces of a board), it is practically invisible.

Returning to the issue of environmental friendliness of products, it is worth noting that (regardless of the type) they look like that. Many people use wooden planks as decoration for the kitchen or dining room, since natural wood brings coziness and nobility to the interior.It is important that the price range is also different - from fairly democratic in cost to more expensive options.

Among the wooden assortment, you can easily find both huge boards for cutting dough and small utensils for bread. In addition, today, wooden serving boards are very popular, on which food is not cut, but served. Most often it is bread, pies, pizza, but there can also be pieces of meat with herbs and vegetables.

Like any product, wooden planks have disadvantages. First of all, it is the hygroscopicity of the material. Any wood more or less absorbs water, juice from products, etc. Naturally, this also leads to the absorption of odors, therefore the wood plank should be washed after each use.

However, excessive washing (especially soaking the product) can lead to damage to the wood, in particular, deformation of the product.

All wood products can be divided into 2 large groups:

• solid wood;
• from glued.

If, when looking at the side of the board, you see a woody pattern, then this is a product made from a single piece of wood. If the end part has fibers, and on the surface itself there are individual lamellas, this is a glued version.

Separately, we will highlight the end wooden boards. Their main properties are: a stronger and harder surface (suitable for chopping meat), greater resistance to moisture, a higher degree of antibacterial protection.

This explains the fact that knives on such a surface dull more slowly than on a wooden one. The blade of the knife seems to push the wood fibers apart; it does not have to overcome them like an obstacle. In this regard, a longer service life of the end boards can be noted.

For the production of boards, different types of wood are used, each of which has distinctive characteristics. Let's consider the most common options.

Quite an affordable and inexpensive material that is highly hygroscopic. Such products strongly absorb and retain odors for a long time. Besides, pine is extremely unstable to moisture, and therefore boards from it will not last long.

Compared to pine, it is slightly more durable material. At the same time, it is also distinguished by its low cost. However, birch products quickly darken during operation, so boards from it quickly lose their presentable appearance. Besides, birch is not the most moisture-resistant type of wood, it will quickly warp... Products from linden and alder have similar properties.

Products from this tree species are distinguished by their strength and strength. However, the tree itself is extremely hygroscopic and easily absorbs moisture. Of course, special varnishes are used for protection, but this is not possible for all types of boards.

Not a bad type of wood for making cutting boards. Characterized strength, moisture resistance, and therefore has a long service life.

Perhaps oak planks are a good option if you are looking for durable, moisture resistant and durable products. Due to its resistance to moisture, the products can be rinsed under water without fear for their shape and condition.

The larch product is the only wooden option that is not afraid of water. This is due to the increased moisture resistance of wood.

Also, this wood species is resistant to high temperatures, so the accessory can be used as a hot stand.

Ash is often used for end boards. If you follow the gluing technology, you can get a product that will really last for years.

Olive wood produces some of the most durable options available. In addition, due to the properties of wood, the working surface of such a product will have antibacterial properties.

A more modern version of wood, combining strength and low hygroscopicity. As a result, the product lasts longer, but does not absorb odors, and is less susceptible to moisture. In addition, there are fewer scratches and cracks from the knife on the surface of utensils based on rubber species.

Bamboo planks are always glued, which is due to the characteristics of the plant itself. It is impossible to make a solid board from thin trunks-pipes, they have to be sawed and glued. The bamboo counterpart is lighter in weight, tolerates moisture better (they can even be washed in dishwashers), but knives on a bamboo surface become dull faster.

Sometimes on sale you can find a board made from the saw cut of the trees described above. For the manufacture of utensils, a cut of hard wood is suitable: elm, ash, oak, poplar. Since in each case the saw cut dimensions are individual, there are no standard sizes of finished boards, they also cannot be calibrated.

The finished product is coated with edible mineral oil. Thus, the saw cut board is quite thick and heavy, it is distinguished by its strength and long service life. Unlike solid wood products, the saw cut option is always a cross-section of the tree. Solid wood analogue - longitudinal.

Wooden boards are characterized by a variety of sizes and shapes. You need to choose a product based on the purpose of the board. So, a board of 30 by 50 cm is considered standard. It is convenient for working with meat and poultry. The product in the size 25 by 40 is suitable for cutting fruits and vegetables, cheeses, sausages. An even more compact version is usually purchased for slicing bread.

As for the form, then universal is called square or rectangular, as well as their many variations. The products are suitable for all types of products and are conveniently stored. Another popular shape is the circle. Often, round options are used for cutting loaves, pies, cakes, they are also suitable for cutting bread, loaves, cheeses, sausages. Round boards are often used as serving boards, serving cheese slices, fried meat with herbs, bread on them.

Slightly less popular may be a semicircle board. Planks of other geometric shapes are even less common. They are not very much in demand, since they are not always convenient. Boards in the form of an apple or pear, fish, ham are quite often found on store shelves. Their shape is an indication of how the product is to be used.

On the other hand, if you plan to store boards in a drawer, such a handle can be inconvenient - it will “eat up” useful storage space. You should not buy boards of intricate shapes, it is often difficult to find a way to store them. And products with many patterns and slots will be difficult to keep clean.

In addition to the forms described, unusual wooden utensils with additional options should be highlighted. Among her is a board with a pull-out container. It has legs and a special drawer that can be pulled out and closed. After cutting, the food goes into a container, which slides out, and all the pieces are stored in one place. It can also be used as a waste container when you peel and then chop onions, carrots, cucumbers, beets, etc. In this case, at the end of cooking, all that remains is to remove and shake out the container.

If the wooden board slides off the surface and seems uncomfortable, you can take a closer look at the corner option. The product is attached to the corner of the kitchen complex and is securely fixed in this place. It is convenient to use a legged board for beating meat or slicing solid food. This version of the product also adheres firmly to the worktop, making working in the kitchen more convenient and safe.

Beautiful original patterned boards are usually used for interior decoration. If you cut on them, then only on the side where there is no pattern. Carved boards are used in the same way, and it is better to use them for cutting dry food in order to minimize the contact of the product with moisture.

When choosing, it is important to consider what type of wood the board is made of. One of the best options is oak or acacia. The next criterion will be the features of the board: it is made of a single piece or is a glued analogue.

If you plan to chop meat on the board, choose the butt ones. Smaller boards can be solid wood. Determine the dimensions of the product by the purpose.

If the choice fell on pine needles, it is worth purchasing the highest quality (and usually more expensive) option. In this case, you can insure yourself against the release of resin. Do not use the same board for all products. At least 3 products are required: for raw meat, vegetables and herbs, bread.

If you decide to choose and purchase several products at once, then it makes sense to look for a set of products on a stand. As a rule, buying it will cost less than purchasing a similar number of kitchen items. And the kit will look in the same style. Finally, it is important to pay attention to the appearance of the utensils, because the boards should fit the overall interior of the kitchen or dining room.

Compliance with the rules of caring for cutting boards made of wood is, first of all, a hygienic requirement. Regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces will prevent pathogenic microorganisms from settling on them and poisoning people. Of course, proper care allows you to significantly extend the life of the product.

The oil is applied in a thin layer, allowed to dry for several hours, and then recoated. The procedure should be repeated 3-4 times. In a similar way, you can revive an old board, however, it is better to clean it up with a better quality, erasing the slots with a knife on the surface of the board. Then also cover with oil in several layers.

The wooden product should be washed immediately after use, this will prevent odors and pigments from absorbing. Soda, vinegar, or lemon juice are suitable for washing and disinfecting. All these substances are excellent at removing odors. But it is better to refuse the use of cleaning household chemicals - it eats into wood, and it is rather difficult to wash it out of the fibers.

The optimal technology for cleansing such a product is as follows:

1. immediately after use, the board must be cleaned with a knife to remove pieces of food;
2. rinse in warm water, using baking soda or kitchen soap;
3. pour over boiling water for disinfection;
4. Pat dry with a dry towel and store in a dry, well-ventilated place.

Store wood products open, not in boxes. It is better to use special stands to keep the boards upright. It is important that they do not come into contact with each other, and that water does not accumulate under them. Do not store the accessory near an oven or stove.

Important to remember, that different foods cannot be cut on the same board. Each group of the latter should have its own separate board: for raw meat and poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables, bread. This is, one might say, the minimum required "pieces of wood". In fact, their number may be large.

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In the next video, you can watch the process of making an end cutting board.