Cutting boards are often overlooked in the grand kitchen scheme of things, but a good quality one can improve your cooking experience – specifically when cutting up meat. Several cutting board aspects would enhance the meat cutting process during and after the task. In this article about best cutting board for raw meat, we will give you some pointers on what to look for in cutting board, particularly for slicing raw meat. What type of cutting board works best with cutting different kinds of meat? What other factors should you consider? Learn everything you need to know about the most compatible type of cutting board for raw meat as well as our list of most recommended products in this category.
In a Hurry?
Before we begin, we know that some of you only need a quick low-down in regards to our recommendations. So, basing our decisions on key specific factors – we concluded on our top pick that pretty much cover all the bases when it comes to cutting boards for use with meat, specifically. That said, this is our top pick for those who are in a hurry:
Totally Bamboo Vermont State Destination Cutting Board
Besides being made from bamboo material, which is gentle on knives, it also comes in a unique cutting board design. The board is shaped as The Green Mountain State, Vermont – making it quite an interesting talk piece as well as a gift. It is all pretty well made.
Cutting Board Buying Guide - A Thorough Guideline For Anyone to Buy The Suitable Guide
Before we head on to our top picks, I suggest you learn a thing or two about cutting boards. Having a good grasp about a topic will help you make an informed decision and guide you towards the best possible option in any occasion. The same thing applies to choose the best cutting board that fits your needs.
Butcher Blocks and Cutting Boards – What's the Difference?
When it comes to cutting meat, the butcher block is considered as the best viable option. Of course, these are bulkier, larger, and heavier, which makes it somewhat impractical within an ordinary kitchen setting. One particular difference between a butcher block and a cutting board is the type of grain incorporated by each. The butcher block has what we call an end grain which is considerably thicker and provides a larger surface area. End grain is also quite distinguishable by its checkered surface pattern.
On the other side of the spectrum is the edge grain, which is thinner than end grain which is why it is incorporated in standard cutting boards. The compact and lightweight build of this type of grain make it a practical choice for home kitchen use.
Different Types of Cutting Boards You Might Want To Know
There are several types of cutting boards that you can get your hands on today, from the classic wooden boards to modern plastic, and the classy glass boards. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. But which one holds the best performance when it comes to cutting meat? Let's take a closer look at each type to figure it out.
Wooden Cutting Boards
Wooden cutting boards have a good amount of variety as there are several natural materials used in manufacturing this kitchen equipment. For example, some cutting boards are made from bamboo (technically a type of grass and not wood, but that is beside the point) while others use walnut and teak which are types of hardwood.
In the case of wooden cutting boards, we highly recommend you go for those that incorporate hardwood material such as maple, walnut, and teak. When it comes to the best type of wooden cutting board, the Eastern hard rock maple is the top dog in the business. An alternative would be the western maple wood. If you are looking for wooden cutting boards that are perfect for vegetables, walnut cutting boards is the best route. For slicing bread and cheese, Cherry wood is a nice choice due to being 20% softer than walnut wood.
Pros:
- Wooden cutting boards are gentler on knives and will barely have any negative lasting effects on the sharpness of your blades.
- Wooden cutting boards are Eco-friendly in comparison to plastic-based cutting boards.
- Grooves and scratches caused by knives can be sanded down to return the cutting board's smooth surface.
Cons:
- Wooden cutting boards are not dishwasher-safe.
- Maintenance is also an essential element in wooden cutting boards – specifically oiling the surface now and again.
Bamboo Cutting Boards
As we have stated earlier, bamboo is not a type of wood and is, in fact, a type of grass. As such, we separated it from wooden cutting boards. This is also one of the most common and is the more affordable alternative to actual wooden cutting boards. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of cutting board:
Pros:
- Bamboo cutting boards are also Eco-friendly. Bamboo is also considered as one of the fastest-growing plants, so there is no need to worry about sustainability.
- Bamboo cutting boards do not require much when it comes to maintenance. Just wash normally and wipe it dry with a clean piece of cloth.
- Bamboo is quite dense while still porous making it a good choice for cutting vegetables, fruits, and meat.
- Bamboo cutting boards are also easy on the knives and won't dull or degrade the sharpness of your knife set.
- The surface of bamboo cutting boards is highly resistant to knife scratches.
Cons:
- Bamboo, as with wooden cutting boards, is not dishwasher-safe.
- Again, similar to actual wooden cutting boards, bamboo will also require oiling maintenance from time to time.
Plastic Cutting Boards
Plastic cutting boards are the alternative to its wooden and bamboo siblings. What does plastic cutting boards have going for it, and is it the right choice for your kitchen?
Pros:
- Plastic cutting boards are more affordable.
- Since plastic is typically dishwasher safe, expect the same rules to apply to plastic cutting boards.
- Plastic cutting boards come in a wide variety of designs to complement all types of kitchen aesthetics.
Cons:
- Plastic does not have the natural anti-bacterial properties of wood.
- Plastic cutting boards are typically harsh on your knives and will most likely cause your knife set to dull faster.
- Plastic cutting boards are virtually impossible to clean/disinfect completely.
*/ Avoid at All Cost: Glass and Ceramic Cutting Boards
We won't be going too deep into glass and ceramic as these are not ideal materials for use as a cutting board. While it is true that glass and ceramic are easy to clean and will look incredibly snazzy, they are not practical when it comes to being cutting boards. For one, they will damage the knife faster than plastic. Secondly, if you try slicing meat on its surface when it's wet then chances are it will constantly slip around the ultra-smooth glass or ceramic surface.
1. Totally Bamboo Vermont State Destination Bamboo Serving and Cutting Board
Features:
- Material: Bamboo.
- Dimensions: 10 x 0.6 x 16-inches.
- Weight: 1.54 lbs.
Made from dense and durable bamboo material, the Vermont State Destination Cutting Board is a nice addition to kitchens if one of your aims is enhancing its aesthetics. As the name implies, the Totally Bamboo Vermont State Cutting Board takes on an interesting shape, namely, in the shape of the Green Mountain State itself – Vermont. You basically have a map of the state, and you can even opt to use this cutting board as an actual wall display. The surface features a flat grain with smooth laser-etched sides making it ideal as both a cutting board and as a serving board. If you are looking for something out of the box while being incredibly practical, then take a look at the Totally Bamboo Vermont State Cutting Board.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
Overall, the Totally Bamboo Vermont State Cutting Board checks out all essential factors that cutting board for raw meat should have. The flat grain surface works well when cutting or slicing meat and bamboo is material due to its gentleness on blades, anti-bacterial properties, and ease of cleaning. The addition of the unique shape is the icing on the cake.
2. Commercial Plastic Black Cutting Board
Features:
- Material: High-density polypropylene, BPA-free.
- Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 0.5-inches.
- Weight: 3.39 lbs.
The Thirteen Chefs Cutting Board uses commercial-grade polypropylene plastic which is super high-density and is also BPA-free. What this means is that unlike most plastic cutting boards, the Thirteen Chef Cutting Board is highly resistant to odors and stains making it one of the few plastic boards that you can use to cut all types of meat without worrying about the cleanup afterwards. This cutting board is quite heat-resistant as well. We do advise you from using serrated edge as it can put scratches on the Thirteen Chefs Cutting Board's surface. The fact that it has a slick black finish also means that scratches can be more visible. Other notable aspects about this cutting board are its dishwasher safe build which makes cleaning even easier.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
We like look that the Thirteen Chefs Cutting Board bring to the table. It has that modern-minimalist aesthetic, and the construction of the board itself is quite impressive. The surface is easy to clean, and it manages to circumvent the stain and odor issues that plague plastic cutting boards. Overall, if you are looking for a reliable and cool-looking plastic cutting board that you can use in cutting meat, check out this particular item from Thirteen Chefs.
3. Joseph Joseph 60002 Cut & Carve Multi-Function Cutting Board
Features:
- Material: High-quality plastic.
- Dimensions: 11.5 x 1 x 14.5-inches.
- Weight: 12 oz.
The Joseph Joseph Multi-Functional Cutting Board is designed specifically for cutting and slicing meat due to its unique spiked center design. These spikes are placed there to secure meat as you are slicing it which prevents it from slipping off the surface of the board. This is quite a helpful feature if you are working on chopping smaller and finer slices of veal, pork, beef, or chicken. Additionally, the design of the Joseph Joseph Cutting Board sports an angled surface and a rounded corner where you can push aside crumbs and juices without making a mess.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
This lightweight and uniquely design cutting board have some nifty ideas but still requires some smoothening out. While it does lack in the quality department, its functionality manages to push it to the top. This might be the beginning of innovatively design cutting boards that boast extra functionalities, and we can all agree that the Joseph Joseph Cutting Board spearheaded this revolution.
4. HHXRISE Large Organic Bamboo Cutting Board
Features:
- Material: Bamboo.
- Dimensions: 17 x 12.6 x 0.76-inches.
- Weight: 3.41 lbs.
The HHXRISE Cutting Board also takes it a notch above when it comes to the design. Made from sturdy bamboo material, the HHXRISE comes in several sizes with the largest being the one we are reviewing at the moment. The surface design features grooves on the edges to catch juices and any liquid which prevents it from spilling over your kitchen counter. There are also 3 built-in compartments on one side of the board to help you segregate the ingredients you are preparing. The board also incorporates handle designs which makes carrying it easier, more secure, and more comfortable. Also, bamboo is exceptionally gentle on knives, which means you won't need to worry about this cutting board dulling your kitchen knife set.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
The HHXRISE is a pretty impressive cutting board that features some extra functionality that helps separate it from the norm. The compartments and grooves, along with the texture of the board does mean that it will take a bit more time to clean it thoroughly though.
5. Epicurean 001-151101 Kitchen Series Cutting Board
Features:
- Material: Richlite Composite Paper.
- Dimensions: 14.5 x 11.2 x 0.25-inches.
- Weight: 1.65 lbs.
Epicurean has a particularly interesting background as they did not originally start in the kitchenware industry. The company began as a skate ramp manufacturer with the excess materials being used for their kitchen utensil branch. Epicurean Cutting Boards are incredibly robust yet lightweight and are also Eco-friendly. The use of Richlite composite paper gives Epicurean cutting boards a different element that manages to blend durability and flexibility that is not commonly found in wooden or even bamboo cutting boards.
This material is also heat-resistant and is even dishwasher-safe. Epicurean cutting boards are also extremely gentle on blades. However, maintenance takes a different approach, and we advise you to check their official website to learn the correct maintenance procedure.
Pros:
Cons:
Our Verdict:
Epicurean uses a completely different material in the manufacturing of their cutting boards. Who knew that skate ramps could be great cutting boards as well? Well, now we know. Besides, while Epicurean cutting boards are technically made from wood, it is dishwasher-safe, which is the fact that your typical wood and bamboo cutting board cannot claim.
Cutting Board Cleaning Tips
What better way to ensure the longevity of your cutting board than by applying some lesser-known, yet highly effective cleaning tips? Here are some pointers on how to properly and thoroughly clean your cutting board with everyday items that you can find lying around your home.
One of the most effective and cheapest ways to sanitize and disinfect your wooden cutting board is by using white vinegar. Wipe white vinegar on the surface of your cutting board and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Another effective and cheap cleaning solution is baking soda. If there are visible stains on your cutting board, try sprinkling some baking soda and scrub it with hot water.
Additionally, it is crucial to make sure you dry wooden cutting boards properly before storage. Wood can develop mold due to moisture, so make a habit of wiping your cutting board dry after cleaning. You can also use a sliced lemon wedge on the surface of the cutting board to remove odors. When it comes to butcher blocks, a traditional maintenance technique employed by butchers is by sprinkling salt over the surface to absorb moisture.
Final Thoughts
All in all, wood and bamboo cutting boards are best suited for slicing all types of meat. However, with a few tweaks in its design, even a plastic-based cutting board can be a viable option – as you can see from our list above. It is important to remember that for heavy-duty everyday use – go with a butcher block. For everyday kitchen tasks, though, a good quality wooden or bamboo cutting board will suffice. Just remember to clean the board properly afterwards.
