When shopping for a wooden cutting board for your kitchen, there are a number of factors to consider. A cutting board is used to protect the surface of your countertop as you cut food, but also protects your knives and helps keep them from becoming chipped or dull. A cutting board also makes it easier to get food from the countertop to the food preparation area and makes cleaning up a little easier. When you’re ready to shop for the right cutting board, here are a few things you should think about:

• Size- you’ll want to find a cutting board that is big enough for the jobs you plan to use it for, but also one that will fit in the space you have to store it in. Many people prefer to have two boards, a large one for most tasks, and a smaller one for little jobs.
• Thickness- while a large, heavy piece of butcher block looks great, it won’t do you any good if it’s too heavy to move around easily. Find one that is sturdy, but not overly heavy.
• Shape- there are a number of different shapes on the market, but for most people, a simple rectangle will be the most useful.
• Style- you can find models that have a grove around the edge, which is great for capturing juices from meat. If you have a small kitchen, there are also over the sink styles that can save space.
• Cost- with cutting boards, you get what you pay for. Although there are inexpensive plastic versions, you will find that they don’t get the job done, become easily scratched, and must be replaced more quickly. Invest a little more in a good quality wood board that will last for years.

There are many reasons that professional chefs choose wood over plastic. Natural wood has anti-microbial properties that kill bacteria on the surface of the board naturally within just a few minutes, a quality not present in plastic. Wood boards are also “self-healing”, meaning that when you cut on the board the knife goes between wood fibers rather than through them, so you won’t get as many scratches on the board. Researchers have found that even a heavily scratched wooden cutting board is easier to clean than a plastic board, mainly thanks to this “self-healing’ quality. Because plastic is non-porous, bacteria can sit on the surface of the board and inside any rough spots created by cutting with a knife. Due to the potential for bacterial growth, plastic cutting boards must be discarded when they become scratched, while wooden boards can be cleaned. If a wooden cutting board becomes scratched to a point that it becomes difficult to use, it can be sanded or planed down rather than needing replacement like a plastic board.

The right wooden cutting board can be a beautiful addition to your kitchen, adding a warm touch to your counter top. Finding a sturdy and useful cutting board will make your kitchen cutting tasks easier and safer.