Here’s a great guide to buying a cutting board

yellow chopping board
Photo by Angus Chang on Pexels.com

Americans once used “chrysanthemum and knife” to describe the contradictory character of the Japanese, so some people used the same way to say that the most appropriate expression for Chinese should be “eat and ancestors”?

This is absolutely true! Eating is the essence of Chinese culture. I don’t know if the pursuit of eating comes from the Chinese people’s understanding of survival.

Anyway, it is certain that foodies are in power these days. It is understandable that the kitchen plays an important role in Chinese life. Whether it is the busy figure of my mother when I was a child, or the thumping sound of a spatula in the most unforgettable store on the street, it is always inseparable from the constant speed of the stove.

Chopping board, but the better our life is, the better. When we enjoy modern convenience, it seems that everyone forgets the things in the kitchen? Yeah? The big round piers that have remained unchanged for thousands of years and the bamboo boards bought in the grocery store on the street are the backward tools that every family has.

Yes, the purpose of this article is to replace that chopping board in your house, so that every man and woman who loves life can bathe in the good happiness of working hard to eat. There are simple purchase suggestions at the bottom of the article, which can be directly dragged to the bottom to view.

Why change the cutting board?


For Chinese families, the most common chopping boards are the so-called iron wood big round piers, as well as yellow and discolored plastic chopping boards, as well as the black, moldy and cracked bamboo chopping boards. These things are really problematic:

  1. The material quality is not good enough. Wooden cutting boards made of materials such as pine and fir are prone to slag and cracking, and are not strong enough and easily deformed. Bamboo cutting boards that are spliced ​​and pasted with non-environmentally friendly glues have excessive harmful substances, which are more likely to cause food poisoning when mixed into food. Adding other ingredients to plastic chopping boards increases hardness, which is a serious health hazard.
  2. The technology is backward and cut corners. Excellent bamboo cutting boards should be pressed at high temperature on the surface layer to prevent the joints from contacting food, but a large number of poor quality cutting boards are spliced, which is very easy to crack and deform when the water content fluctuates greatly. Plastic cutting boards should be made of high temperature resistant and non-toxic ingredients, while a large number of manufacturers use unqualified non-food-grade materials or even recycled materials. Wood cutting boards can increase strength and crack resistance if they are made from a single piece of wood, but there are a lot of spliced ​​finger joint boards. The surface of wooden cutting boards should be smeared with beeswax oil or edible oil, and many manufacturers replace them with wood paint.
  3. Health problems caused by chopping boards. The most common problem on cutting boards is the growth of bacteria and mold caused by surface materials and residues. If they are not cleaned properly, these substances will enter the human body with the ingredients and affect health.
  4. Poor user experience. The common problem is the small size and thin thickness. Many people do not consider the placement of the ingredients when cutting vegetables when they buy them again. The small cutting board cannot hold more things. For example, when you want to cut green leafy vegetables, it is not enough at all. . In terms of thickness, thin cutting boards tend to slide and vibrate, which is caused by insufficient thickness.

So, changing the chopping board is not only a matter of making life better, but also a big issue related to health.

Those questions about the chopping board

  1. About the problem of the cutting board hurting the knife. Most of the high-quality knives used now are made of high-quality stainless steel, which has high hardness and toughness and is not easy to break. The hardness of the harder bamboo is only 32HB, which is far lower than the hardness of knives. It is impossible to damage knives unless Cutting through bone and metal with a slicing knife is a risk of missing an edge. However, Japanese kitchen knives generally have poor toughness. Rather than hurting knives, it is more reasonable not to use such knives in inappropriate occasions, such as cutting bones and meat with Japanese knives.
  2. The wooden cutting board needs to be soaked in salt water and oil. I personally think that it is completely unnecessary, because the woods suitable for cutting boards, such as ginkgo, cypress, and clam, have certain anti-cracking properties, and only woods such as pine and fir are particularly easy to crack. In addition, the most common is wood cracking caused by unqualified craftsmanship. Generally speaking, responsible factories will use wood with suitable moisture content for processing. As long as the drying process is proper and the maintenance is proper, the probability of cracking is not high. In addition, some unscrupulous traders use industrial salt to soak, which not only affects health, but also easily misleads consumers into thinking that the heavier the weight, the better the quality, and the environment where the inside is wet and the outside is dry is more likely to cause cracking and mildew. The oil soaking is said to prevent water from infiltrating by infiltrating the oil into the wooden board, and not to mention whether it is useful or not, this method alone has stumped many people, because simply brushing a layer of oil is not enough, wash two It will fall off the second time, and it needs to be soaked in oil to be effective. This method is too troublesome and has no practical use value.
  3. Plastic cutting boards are not safe. In fact, this is also a problem that occurs because of backward technology. Japanese cutting boards represented by Asahi Hasegawa have fully achieved the problem of antibacterial, non-toxic and harmless.

What should you pay attention to when choosing a cutting board?

  1. A good cutting board must have a suitable thickness. Because the chopping board is used as a platform for carrying ingredients, it needs a stable state when it is continuously subjected to the impact of the blade, and it cannot slide or vibrate. The thickness of the cutting board determines this stable state. If it is too thin, it is easy to vibrate. Because of the small mass, a slightly larger force can make the cutting board move. At the same time, because it is too thin, it is easy to deform, and the contact between the deformed cutting board and the operating table The area becomes very small, making it easier to shake and slide, both of which are definitely the last thing you want to see when chopping vegetables.
  2. The choice of cutting board should be determined according to your own frequency of use, purpose and environment. If you don’t use it frequently, then a bamboo cutting board is very suitable, it is durable and easy to maintain. If you’re a serious cook, then a high-quality wood or Japanese synthetic rubber cutting board is perfect and can last for many years with proper care. For women who can’t lift such a heavy chopping board, they should consider a plastic or wooden chopping board with a smaller size. For those who work in the kitchen all the year round, a thick round pier is OK!
  3. In modern families, if the budget is sufficient, the separation of raw and cooked must be achieved. For Chinese cuisine as the main dining habit, I suggest: a piece of high-quality solid wood bamboo or synthetic resin material used for Chinese cooking, medium size or Larger chopping boards are the main; a solid wood chopping board with handles is used for western-style baking, non-meat and fruit processing; a solid wood and bamboo material cutting board below medium size is used for special processing of cooked food; for families who often make Chinese pasta, also A large solid wood cutting board is required.

Next, I will select cutting boards of different sizes and styles of various materials for you, and at the same time, I will introduce the advantages and disadvantages of different cutting boards.

  1. IKEA Apteli bamboo cutting board.

IKEA 002.334.29 Aptitlig Butcher Block, Bamboo

$39.50
$36.99
Amazon.com
as of 05/01/2023 2:11 AM

IKEA is a home furnishing brand from Sweden. All products are produced in accordance with European standards and are guaranteed to be safe. It is recommended to choose products with a price above the mid-range for better quality and more confidence. Aptelli comes in a variety of sizes, be sure to choose the one in the picture. Advantages: Bamboo material, hard texture, not easy to produce residue, very durable, thickness of 3 cm, not easy to slide and deform, the design is inclined on both sides, it is very convenient to pick up. Disadvantage: The cleaning of the groove is slightly inconvenient, but the other side can be used. It may be more strenuous for women to use. Recommendations for use: Chinese and Western cooking, not suitable for Japanese knives, not suitable for frequent chopping.

Price: 99 Dimensions: 45x36x3 cm medium size

Appearance: ☆☆☆☆ Practicality: ☆☆☆ Cost-effective: ☆☆☆☆

  1. The whole bamboo cutting board with its own cutting board

John Boos MPL1812125G Chop-N-Slice Select Maple Edge Grain Cutting Board, 18 Inches x 12 Inches x 1.25 Inches

$59.95
$57.20
Amazon.com
as of 05/01/2023 2:11 AM


The design of the self-contained dish plate comes from many international brands, such as John Boos and WMF. It is indeed very cost-effective to enjoy similar functions at this price. Advantages: The contact surface with food is pressed by the whole bamboo at high temperature, no glue, safe and reliable, and there is a test report. With a thickness of 4.7 cm, it is not easy to slide and vibrate.

The dish receiving plate is made of melamine, which can directly put the cut ingredients into the plate, which is very convenient. Melamine material is safe, reliable, non-toxic and tasteless. It can be put into the refrigerator for cooking, but it is not suitable for environments above 120 degrees, such as microwave ovens. The cutting board has mechanical grooves where gravy and fruit juices can be collected during use, avoiding contamination of the work surface.

There are handles on the edge of the cutting board for easy handling. Disadvantage: The groove cleaning is slightly inconvenient. The aesthetics are slightly worse. Recommendations for use: Chinese cooking, not suitable for frequent chopping.

Price: 79-119 Size: Multi-size optional

Appearance: ☆☆☆ Practicality: ☆☆☆ Cost-effective: ☆☆☆☆

  1. Cost-effective choice of ginkgo wood cutting board
ginkgo wood cutting board
ginkgo wood cutting board

Ginkgo biloba is a special product in Taizhou, Jiangsu, and it is also one of the best materials for cutting boards. It is a cost-effective choice. Advantages: Ginkgo biloba, like cypress, has a unique odor. This odor component is the key point of corrosion resistance and antibacterial of this type of cutting board. At the same time, due to the small dry shrinkage change, it is not easy to crack, and it is resistant to impact and chopping, so the crack resistance is very good.

The ginkgo wood cutting board will not be contaminated with fishy smell, which is an incomparable advantage of other cutting boards. At the same time, it also has the characteristics of self-healing, and the small cutting marks will not leave traces. Disadvantages: lack of big brand products, difficult to choose, slightly poor aesthetics. The texture is slightly soft, and the slag is occasionally dropped, and the durability is relatively slightly worse. Recommendations for use: suitable for all kinds of knives and Chinese and Western dishes, not suitable for frequent chopping.

Price: 20-200 Size: Multiple Sizes

Appearance: ☆☆☆☆ Practicality: ☆☆☆☆ Cost-effective: ☆☆☆☆☆

It is worth noting about this ginkgo that most sellers of ginkgo cutting boards will soak in water in advance to prevent cracking. However, I checked a lot of information and found that soaking in salt water is purely a marketing tool for some vendors, so try to choose businesses that do not soak in salt water when choosing.

  1. Cost-effective choice of Vietnamese clam wood cutting board
Vietnamese clam wood cutting board

Clam wood is commonly known as iron wood, but iron wood generally refers to hard wood, and there are many kinds. In China, the clam is a national second-class endangered protected tree species, and the felling is strictly controlled. Generally, the clam is mostly from Vietnam. Advantages: Proper maintenance is not easy to deform and crack. It has bactericidal and bacteriostatic effect. The texture is hard, not easy to chip, not easy to slag. Sturdy and heavy, not easy to slide and vibrate. Disadvantages: lack of big brand products, uneven quality, mixed fish and dragons, difficult to choose. The aesthetics are slightly worse. Recommendations for use: suitable for Chinese cuisine, suitable for Chinese knives to chop and chop.

Price: 70-280 Size: Multi-size

Appearance: ☆☆☆ Practicality: ☆☆☆ Cost-effective: ☆☆☆☆

Also, since most of them are Taobao stores, Tmall stores have no advantage, so no purchase links are given. However, when choosing, the seller’s propaganda is that Longzhou products are generally tricky. Most of this wood comes from Vietnam and Myanmar. Therefore, when choosing, you should try to choose the one that can provide Vietnamese raw material purchase channels. For the store, it is more appropriate to have a high score and a low return rate.

  1. The cost-effective choice of Yellow River dry willow cutting board
Yellow River dry willow cutting board

Willow is also one of the better materials for making cutting boards, and the Yellow River dry willow is the best representative of them. As a panel (face case) is the best choice. Advantages: The texture is soft, the knife feels good, and the knife does not hurt. Sturdy and heavy, not easy to slide and vibrate. Disadvantages: occasionally slag. There is a lack of big brand products, the quality is uneven, and the selection is difficult. The aesthetics are slightly worse. Recommendations for use: suitable for Chinese and Western cuisine, suitable for all kinds of knives, suitable for pastry.

Here’s a good chopping board buying guide

Price: 20-200 Size: Multi-size

Appearance: ☆☆☆ Practicality: ☆☆☆ Cost-effective: ☆☆☆☆

There are not so many problems with merchants selling this kind of chopping board, so just choose a store with good reviews.

  1. Even if it is expensive, it is still worth buying Beiyin cypress chopping board
KAI Beiyin Japanese original imported Guansun six cypress chopping board pure solid wood does not hurt the blade cutting board S/M/L


Beiyin is a well-known manufacturer of kitchenware in Japan. It is famous all over the world for its knives. Founded in 1908, it is a century-old enterprise with stable and reliable product quality and exquisite materials. It is recommended. The cypress used in this cutting board is the most common material used to make wooden cutting boards in Japan. The cypress is mainly produced in North America, Japan and Taiwan, and it is an excellent tree species. Advantages: Cypress is rich in oil and has a fresh scent unique to wood, so it has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

The multi-layer tenon-and-mortise structure avoids the risk of using glue, and at the same time, the durability is effectively improved. The texture of cypress is moderate, and it is very suitable for use as a cutting board. Resin edge is used to effectively prevent mildew and water. Originated in Japan, the craftsmanship is completely reliable. Disadvantages: It is perfect as a cutting board, the only disadvantage is that it is more expensive than other wooden cutting boards. Recommendations for use: suitable for Chinese and Western cuisine, suitable for all kinds of knives, not suitable for frequent chopping. Price: 313-492 Size: S, M, L, three sizes, try to choose the size above M.

Appearance: ☆☆☆☆☆ Practicality: ☆☆☆☆☆ Cost-effective: ☆☆☆

  1. Japan’s synthetic rubber material is the king of cost-effectiveness in the mid-to-high-end cutting board world, Asahi Ashahi cutting board.

Synthetic rubber cutting board Asahi Cookin cut (LL) (Оnе Расk)

$72.60
Amazon.com
as of 05/01/2023 2:11 AM

It is necessary to say the size, so I uploaded this picture. Asahi PARKER ASAHI is a typical Japanese company, established in 1956, focusing on material research, automotive sealing materials is one of the company’s businesses. This cutting board is the ultimate embodiment of Japanese material science. The performance is almost perfect. The price is not expensive for developed countries, but except for Japan, no other country in the world produces it on a large scale. The so-called synthetic material actually refers to synthetic rubber material, but it is harder than ordinary rubber.

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