A chopping board really is one of those kitchen essentials but how do you make sure you have the right one for your needs?  Here is our guide to choosing the perfect chopping board. Read on for more info.

Why is a Chopping Board Necessary?

A chopping board is of the most essential items in the kitchen because of what it does. A chopping board is used for food preparation mostly but it is also valuable for serving as a trivet (a safe place to place hot pots and pans), or even for just presenting foods on. Chopping boards are not only a handy surface; they are vital for preserving and protecting your benchtops.

Types of Chopping Boards

When it comes to chopping boards, there are three major types to choose from:

• Wood – wood chopping boards are most commonly made from hardwoods or bamboo and they are one of the most enduringly popular options due to the natural beauty of timber.  They are very durable but they are also very kind to knives, as knives will keep their edge for longer when you use a timber board.  Wooden chopping boards are also naturally antibacterial and are very hygienic when they are cleaned correctly in hot soapy water.  However, you can’t put them in a dishwasher.

• Plastic – plastic chopping boards are incredibly popular because they are so cost effective. They can be rigid or flexible, and can come in a range of different colours.  The different colours allow you to colour code your boards. For example, you can have one for meats, one for fish, and one for vegetables.  Plastic chopping boards are also very easy to sanitise and can be placed in the dishwasher without problems.

• Glass – glass chopping boards look great and they can come in a huge range of designs, from plain glass through to intricate patterns. Glass chopping boards are also very sanitary, easy to clean and heat resistant.  However, their hardness makes them tough on knives (blunting them very quickly) and they can be very loud when used.
  

As well as these three main types, you can also find marble or natural stone chopping boards.  These are incredibly hard wearing and look fantastic but their hard surface can cause damage to your knives.

What to Consider When Choosing a Chopping Board

If you need to choose a new chopping board, there are some things that you need to consider. The first is the size. You need a board that is large enough for you to do your day to day food preparation comfortably, and that is also preferably large enough to hold your hot pans if you will be using them as a trivet. However, make sure that the board is not too large to wash comfortably.  You want to be able to fit it in the sink or in the dishwasher, depending on what it is made of.

Also, think about how easy it is to clean the board.  Do you want to be able to chuck it in the dishwasher or are you willing to hand wash it after every use?  Can you bleach the board to sanitise it if you need to?  Finally, think about how the chopping board looks. This isn’t a consideration if you’ll be keeping it in a cupboard, but if you’ll be keeping it on the bench or on show, you may want one that is attractive!