Anyone who enjoys cooking knows that chopping boards may not get the same attention as knives, but they are just as important. Wooden chopping boards are the ideal choice for your kitchen. It looks great, has a homey look, is more sanitary as compared to plastic chopping boards and absorbs impact to keep your knife’s blade sharp. That said, they do need a little maintenance. Here are a few tips to help you maintain these kitchen tools.
Clean ASAP
Wooden boards must always be cleaned immediately after use. Do not soak the wood in water, as this may make the wood warp and crack. Instead, use a simple soap and water solution to rinse them clean. If you have used the board to cut meat, you may want to use a weak hydrogen peroxide or bleach solution to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination. Before putting it away, wipe the board down with a clean, dry cloth. Also, do not wash your chopping boards in the dishwasher. The heat can be detrimental to their durability.
Once in a while, deep clean the board. For this, you need sea salt and vinegar or lemon juice. Sprinkle the salt on the board and drizzle the lemon juice/ vinegar over it. Use a clean dish cloth to rub the salt into the board and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse it off and wipe dry.
Store them properly
The way you store your chopping board impacts its lifespan. Ideally, store wooden chopping boards on their edge. This allows the water to drain off it and minimises absorption. When you buy the chopping board, you may want to choose one that has a cut out from where it can be hung on the wall. If you are using a larger butcher block style chopping board that cannot be kept on its side, wipe the board clean every time you use it and make sure there are no remnants on it.
Buff and coat
Simply keeping a chopping board clean, is not enough. The board must also be buffed regularly. You can buff the board once a fortnight or once a month, depending on how often you use it. You can also give the board a protective coating with a food-safe, flavourless mineral oil or a combination of the oil and beeswax. Grapeseed oil and almond oil are great choices. The latter is avoidable if you have a nut allergy. Buffing and coating the board protects it from stains and reduces the risk of warping and splitting. Leave the oil to soak for as long as possible before using the board.
A little maintenance goes a long way in giving your wooden chopping boards a long lifespan. The amount of maintenance a chopping board needs also depends on the type of wood. For example, bamboo and teak chopping boards may need less maintenance as compared to others. Not just that, it saves your knives from losing their sharpness as well. And, every home chef knows that when you have got knives with a sharp edge, your cooking experience becomes a lot more enjoyable too. However, if you are looking for a brand new chopping board, simply search for online furniture for kitchens.
