Is it safe to use a cutting board made of bamboo?
The kitchen knife is useless without a cutting board to rest it on. Plastic, wood, glass, and even bamboo are just some of the materials that may be used to make them. It’s important to keep in mind that each of these varieties has advantages and disadvantages that may make them unsuitable or preferable for use in food preparation.
In this post, we’ll discuss bamboo cutting boards and address the most important issue of all: is bamboo good for cutting boards? In a nutshell: absolutely, they are. Cleanliness, ease of upkeep, aesthetic appeal, and environmental friendliness are just a few of the advantages.
Is it safe to use a cutting board made of bamboo?
Cutting boards made of bamboo are denser and more impermeable than those made of hardwoods. Due to the fact that bamboo takes in very little moisture and is resistant to being scarred by blades, it is more resistant to germs than other types of wood.
TYPES OF CUTTING BOARD
Many different kinds of cutting boards exist, each with its own unique features. Therefore, we stock four distinct materials in our kitchen: wood, glass, bamboo, and plastic cutting boards. If you want to save money, it’s in your best interest to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each of these several kinds of cutting boards. This is important since different cutting boards are designed for different types of foods, and some should never be used with raw meat, fish, or fowl. Some of them are quite tough and might dull your knife over time. As a result, you should think about all of these factors before purchasing a new cutting board.
Wood cutting boards
In this case, we have wooden cutting boards. As they do not cause the blades to get dull, they are in great demand and are widely used. But because of their porous nature, they readily absorb whatever is put on them. Using this method, germs are easily preserved and passed on to your food. Ideal just for bread, veggies, and herbs.
Bamboo cutting boards
A common adage states that the finest is saved for last. Also, absolutely, the bamboo cutting board is the best of the several options. Similarly to a wooden cutting board, it is porous and hence harbors food and germs that are difficult to remove. But it’s stronger than wood, so it’s less porous, too. If you don’t want the bamboo to crack, you’ll need to oil it regularly. If you want to keep your capacity to grow food, they are the greatest alternative you have. In this piece, we’ll be focusing on one specific sort of cutting board.
Plastic cutting boards
These are often used by cooks, since they are constructed of polythene and are quite durable. They hold up well and are simple to clean (hand washing or using a dishwasher). However, they are not appropriate for prolonged use since they provide a more favorable environment for bacteria growth than wood cutting boards. This cutting board is perfect for preparing various meats, fish, and poultry.
Glass cutting boards
In essence, they are glass. They are more hygienic than the first two options since they are not porous. Unfortunately, the blade of your knife will dull more quickly while using them.
WHY IS BAMBOO A GOOD MATERIAL FOR CUTTING BOARDS?
Since its introduction, bamboo cutting boards have seen an explosion in demand, making them the most popular option on the market. Bamboo cutting boards emerged because experts in the manufacturing sector realized that the material could be processed into flat lumber and used for its advantages over conventional wood.
BAMBOO CUTTING BOARD’S ADVANTAGES
There are several advantages to acquiring a bamboo cutting board, including:
Eco-friendly cutting board
A bamboo cutting board is a great investment if you share my passion for environmental sustainability and want to do your part to reduce your carbon footprint. The bamboo plants used to make cutting boards are fast-growers, needing only three to six years to reach full maturity as opposed to the years it takes for a tree to mature into wood. This makes them sustainable and easy to supply. They need minimal effort to harvest and may be done quickly. For that reason, you may be certain that they are eco-friendly.
Cleanliness of facilities
This is the first and maybe most important advantage of the bamboo board. Since bamboo is such a thick material, blades seldom leave marks on it while being used. In addition, they are waterproof. As a result, germs and bacteria won’t be able to hide out in any crevices in the cutting board’s surface. Keep your cutting board in pristine condition with only little soap and hot water. Bleach diluted with water should be used as frequently as possible to maintain it clean and free of bacteria.
Low maintenance
Oiling your wooden cutting board regularly will keep it from drying up and cracking, which is a common problem with cutting boards constructed from other materials.
However, this isn’t as necessary with a bamboo cutting board as it would be with one made of wood. The solid wood makes them impervious to moisture, which is why they are so popular. As a result, they are resistant to warping and cracking. This is an improvement above standard maple or other wood cutting boards. However, you should stay away from the dishwasher to protect the cutting board from the high temperatures. Additionally, after washing, you must dry it thoroughly; leaving it to soak is not an option.
Durable
You should choose a bamboo cutting board since it will last you a very long time. When using a bamboo cutting board, the knife will leave less ridges and scratches.
As an added bonus, they are very resistant to cracking and warping, so the cutting surface stays smooth and looks as good as new for a lot longer than it would with other types of cutting boards.
Aesthetically pleasing
When compared to other materials, bamboo combines a rustic appearance with a refined one. This is one of the reasons why it is so popular among chefs: it looks great. It’ll make your kitchen seem more put together and sophisticated, and it won’t lose its good looks very soon. In addition, they are unharmed by even the most acidic meals, thanks to their superior stain resistance.
BAMBOO CUTTING BOARD’S DISADVANTAGES
Are you taken aback by that? Well, we can’t deny that the bamboo cutting board has the drawbacks that are inevitable with everything that has benefits. The cutting board has various drawbacks that stem from the material itself, and they include:
There are several disadvantages of bamboo cutting board:
Due of its density, bamboo burns easily. That’s why adding heat or steam can shorten the material’s lifetime due to crack/warp. The cutting board will be harmed and lose its useful qualities in this process.
Therefore, to preserve the cutting board’s one-of-a-kind qualities, you should not put it in the dishwasher or subject it to any kind of heat.
Dulls knife edges
You shouldn’t use this cutting board to store your blades because of the thick wood. Using a bamboo cutting board regularly may cause them to warp and eventually fold over. In addition, bamboo has a high silica concentration, which is notorious for rapidly dulling knife blades.
Due to the binding process, they are not as uniform as wood and feature softer areas between the cutting board’s nodes. Due of the blade’s uneven wear, the knife’s edges will shred. Therefore, you should treat your knife with care and sharpen it more often than you would with a wooden cutting board.
Toxic adhesives
When making bamboo cutting boards, the bamboo is bound together in a certain way. Toxic adhesives are occasionally used for this purpose. Obviously, this would render the bamboo cutting board extremely unsanitary.
So, when buying a bamboo cutting board, make sure you know what the glue is made of and how it works. This would save you from using potentially harmful glues and maximize your product’s potential.
FAQ’s
Conclusion
There is a wide variety of cutting boards, each with its own set of advantages in the kitchen and during food preparation. However, for the many reasons mentioned above, Bamboo cutting boards stand head and shoulders above the competition.
For this reason, I am certain that you know the answer to the question, “is bamboo good for cutting boards?” The glaringly apparent response is “yes.” In light of this, it’s not enough to have a cutting board as a kitchen accessory; you need to acquire one that is safe, sanitary, environmentally friendly, etc. A bamboo cutting board has all of these, and more.
