Cutting Boards

[Fisher's Mom]

John Boos Hard Rock Maple and the Rubbermaid shelf-liner...rock solid and easy to clean...as a matter of fact my entire kitchen counter is John Boos Hard Rock Maple.

I bought my block, then found out how affordable the countertop is...LOL

You can glimpse both in the attached files.

If something is worth doing...it's worth overdoing!

Hey Dartsnake, the pots and pans and pot rack are pretty impressive, too!

Welcome to DC.

 

[keltin]

Anyone ever watch Everyday Italian on Food Network. The host is Giada. I swear she is using a stone cutting board (like this)! It makes me cringe every time she cuts something on that thing....it’s like fingernails on a chalkboard. Has anyone else seen that?

 

[Caine]

Anyone ever watch Everyday Italian on Food Network. The host is Giada. I swear she is using a stone cutting board (like this)! It makes me cringe every time she cuts something on that thing....it’s like fingernails on a chalkboard. Has anyone else seen that?

As far as I know, Giada uses an end grain walnut cutting board, manufactured by Ozark West. It sounds funny when she cuts on it because the Ozark West boards have small rubber feet on the bottom, causing the knife blade to make a hollow sound when it contacts the board.

 

[Andy M.]

I believe she uses a wood board as well. The noise her knife makes as she scrapes it across the board to gather chopped items send shivers up my spine. Also, you can tell from the sound that the knife is really sharp.

 

[Dartssnake]

Knife Scraping (shiver)

Scraping a knife across the cutting board is the most damaging thing you could do to your precious implement, short slicing off your cabinet handles. The thought of it makes my skin crawl.

LOL

I use a Bash-N-Chop, named by the Galloping Gourmet, Graham Kerr, instead. They sell them at azcooking.com <------NOT A LINK. It is the best scraper, because you can Bash garlic cloves with it, and it has somewhat of an edge, so you can chop, too (if you miss a big chunk with your expensive knife). It also has a small 4 or 5 inch ruler that you can use while cutting dough or whatever...a handy little gadget.

And Thanks for the kind words about the Potrack. I just installed it and am waiting on some help to finish ducting my Rangehood Exhaust Fan and laying down my sheet vinyl to complete my kitchen remodel

 

[Caine]

That's called a dough scraper, available at most kitchen stores for very little cash (too inexpensive to use plastic!).

Oh, BTW, when I "gather the goodies" after chopping/slicing, I use the BACK SIDE of my knife, not the sharp edge.

 

[Dartssnake]

The Bash-N-Chop is different, however. A dough scraper usually has a handle (plastic or wood) that is affixed on top of the flat blade, projecting on either side, depending on the width of the handle material. Mine is rolled stainless steel, and it can sit flat on a surface and the entire width of the blade can rest against the surface. The back of your blade is squared off and the Bash-N-Chop has an a-l-m-o-s-t sharpened edge that allows getting all juices and oils up off the board, and in your pot.

 

[Andy M.]

I have the bash and chop and to me it's a board scraper. It may differ in design from other scrapers, but for my purposes there's no difference. I don't use it in place of a knife. It's a poor substitute for a knife at best.

 

[Caine]

You mean like this one?

Same church, different pew.

This is what the young lady at McDonalds uses to cut the grilled chicken breast into strips for the Premium salads!

 

[Dartssnake]

Well, I use it to transfer chopped and sliced foods, either to cook or store. I find it invaluable for large quantities. I pity your knives.

 

[Hill Dawg]

My cutting board is wood and after time it becomes unstable on the counter top. .....

Unstable, you mean it rocks back and forth?

Do you let it soak in the sink? It might have twisted if left wet too long.

Hill Dawg

 

[Hill Dawg]

That's funny to me. No meat on a butcher's block?

Clean the wood cutting surface like anything else and you're OK.

 

[Hill Dawg]

Wooden Cutting Boards sealing and cleaning

Nobody posted about treating the wood.....

All you'll ever need to know about cleaning and sealing a wooden kitchen cutting board.

Seasoning A Cutting Board ​

Before using a new butcher block, season it to prevent staining and absorption of food odors and bacteria. Proper surface treatment is important to guard against germs and/or mold growth on both new and older boards. The wood surface needs an oil that can be repeatedly applied to fill the wood pores and repel food particles, liquids, and oils. Never use any vegetable or cooking oils to treat or finish a cutting surface, as in time the wood will reek of a rancid spoiled oil odor.

• 
  USP-grade mineral oil is a popular choice as it is the cheapest pure food-grade oil you can buy (do not use vegetable or olive oils because they can turn rancid). Mineral oil remains safe throughout its life. There are various oils available for cutting boards and butcher blocks. Some are called "Butcher Block Finishes" or "Mystery Oil." Save some money by visiting the local hardware or drug store and purchasing Mineral Oil. (not mineral spirits - this is paint thinner).
  
  When you see the words "food safe finish" in a description of a wood product, this generally means mineral oil has been used. Simply wipe mineral oil on the surface of your board and watch it soak in. When the wood won't take any more oil, you can wipe off the excess with a clean dry cloth. Don't worry about applying too much oil - more is better.
• 
  Beeswax is often added to mineral oil and walnut oil to give a tougher finish. The wax of bees has been used for centuries for waterproofing and sealing materials from baskets to cloth and for preserving foods and other perishable materials, including wood. It will make wood water-resistant (though not water-proof) and will help protect the wood surface from use and wear. It will also give a wood surface a nice smooth feel to the touch and leave a gentle, sweet fragrance. Simply shave about 1/2 teaspoon beeswax into a microwave safe dish with a cupful of mineral oil; microwave on high for about 45 seconds. Apple to the cutting board or butcher block while still warm. Save or dispose of the remainder of the oil.
  
  Beeswax Top Coat - A beeswax top coat is an optional addition to the re-finishing process, but is well worth the time. The beeswax sits on the surface of the wood in contrast to the oil that soaks into the wood. As a result the beeswax fills in pores and gaps that thin oil can't bridge. This helps to keep moisture, bacteria, and other contaminants from getting into the wood surface. To apply the finish, simply wipe it on with a clean cloth. The beeswax is a soft paste that has a similar consistency to that of a shoe polish. Excess finish can be easily buffed off with the cloth. Once the finish has had some time to dry it can be buffed to a shine.
• 
  Walnut oil. It's all-natural and is one of the few oils that doesn't turn rancid. It is a true drying oil that reacts with the air and hardens, it is available grocery stores or some mail order woodworking supply stores.
  
  NOTE: If anyone in your family has an allergy to nuts or nut products, do not use walnut oil.

Before applying oil to butcher block, warm the oil slightly. Apply oil with a soft cloth, in the direction of the grain, allowing the oil to soak in between each of the four or five coats required for the initial seasoning. After each treatment, wait about four to six hours and wipe off oil that did not soak into the wood (oxidation or hardening of the oil will take approximately 6 hours). Re-oil the butcher block monthly or as often as needed.

Maintaining and Sanitizing Cutting Boards ​

Caution must be taken when using any type of cutting board. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

• Whichever kind of cutting board you use, all cutting boards should be cleaned and sanitized frequently. Some of the various techniques recommended for cutting boards are as follows (you decide which is best):
  
  Hot water and soap - Scrub board with hot water and soap. Rinse and dry thoroughly. NOTE: NEVER submerge cutting boards in a sink of water! Wood is porous and will soak up water causing the cutting board to crack when it dries.
  
  Vinegar - To disinfect and clean your wood cutting boards or butcher block countertop, wipe them with full-strength white vinegar after each use. The acetic acid in the vinegar is a good disinfectant, effective against such harmful bugs as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus. Vinegar is especially good for people with chemical allergies. Keep a spray bottle of undiluted vinegar handy for easy cleaning and sanitizing.
  
  Hydrogen Peroxide - 3% hydrogen peroxide can also be used as a bacteria-killer. To kill the germs on your cutting board, use a paper towel to wipe the board down with vinegar, then use another paper towel to wipe it with hydrogen peroxide.
  
  Bleach - Sanitize both wood and plastic cutting boards with a diluted chlorine bleach or vinegar solution consisting of one teaspoon of liquid chlorine bleach in one quart of water or a one to five dilution of vinegar. Flood the surface with a sanitizing solution and allow it to stand for several minutes, then rinse and air dry or pat dry with paper towels.
  
  All cutting boards, and other food surfaces, should be kept dry when not in use. Resident bacteria survive no more than a few hours without moisture. Keep moisture of any type from standing on the block for long periods of time. Beware of moisture collecting beneath the board if you leave it on the counter. If you can, prop one end up when not using your board.
• To eliminate garlic, onion, fish, or other smells from your cutting board,:
  
  Coarse salt or baking soda - Rub the board with course salt or baking soda. Let stand a few minutes and wipe salt or baking soda from board, and then rinse. You may need to re-season after rinsing your cutting board/chopping block.
  
  Lemon - Another very easy technique is to rub fresh lemon juice or rub a cut lemon over the surface of the cutting board to neutralize onion and garlic odors. You may need to re-season after rinsing your cutting board/chopping block.
  
  Vinegar - Keep a spray bottle of undiluted vinegar handy for easy cleaning and sanitizing. You may need to re-season after rinsing your cutting board/chopping block.
• Use a good steel scraper or spatula often when using the board. Scraping removes 75% of the moisture that builds up on a wooden cutting board. An occasional sanding will return a wooden board to a smooth luster. But never scrub a wooden board with a steel brush (a steel brush will ruff up the finish and should be avoided).
• Wooden boards need oiling or reseasoning once a week to seal the grain against bacteria. An oil finish helps to prevent the wood from cracking or pulling apart at the seams. See Seasoning A Cutting Board above (top of page).
  
  Before applying oil to butcher block, warm the oil slightly. Apply oil with a soft cloth, in the direction of the grain, allowing the oil to soak in. Allow oil to soak in a few minutes, then remove all surface oil with a dry, clean cloth. [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]When applied, mineral oil seals the pores of the wood blocking the penetration of moisture.[/FONT]
• When refinishing a butcher block, you may wish to sand the surface of the wood to remove old stains, scratches and marks. When sanding out kicks and scratches, remember that if you don't sand the top evenly you will end up with "hills" and "valleys" in the top.

 

[bevkile]

I go with the soft plastic. Cheaper the better. Can run it thru the dishwasher, cut chicken on it one day and veggies the next, won't hurt knives at all, and eventually when it needs replacing... Hey, it was cheap.

My sentiment exactly.