A wooden cutting board is a valuable tool. It protects your kitchen counter-tops and is easier on knives than marble or glass. Like most tools, a cutting board will last longer and perform better with regular maintenance.
While wood is a strong and durable material, it can easily warp or deform when exposed to moisture. This is because wood is hygroscopic – it absorbs water from its surroundings, which can lead to cupping, twisting, or splitting.
Some amount of warping is inevitable. But with proper care it can be minimized, greatly prolonging the life and usefulness of your cutting board.
- Your cutting board should be conditioned prior to use. At Kinship Crafts, our cutting boards come pre-conditioned with our Board Balm.
- Boards can be cleaned using a cloth dampened with water and a mild dish soap. NEVER IMMERSE IN WATER.
- When preparing wet foods such as chicken or tomatoes, do not allow water to remain on your cutting board for long periods of time. Wipe dry immediately when finished, or use a kitchen scraper to remove liquids.
- Use both sides of your cutting board for even wear.
- From time to time, your cutting board should be re-conditioned using Kinship Crafts Board Balm or other similar product. You may also wish to saturate your board with a food-grade mineral oil for added protection.
What Could Go Wrong?
You may be asking yourself, “Is all this really necessary? What will happen if I DON’T take care of my cutting board?”
In reality, a cutting board can last a long time, even without proper care and maintenance. Some people even prefer to use a bare wood cutting board for its anti-microbial properties. However, there are a number of problems that can affect your board if not properly cared for.
Most commonly you will experience warping. In general, this is something that cannot be completely avoided due to the nature of wood, but it can be reduced.
Less commonly you may see splitting or checking at the ends. This can be prevented by the regular application of conditioner and by keeping your board out of the suds.
The last item of concern only really applies to end-grain cutting boards. If you’ve ever seen a cutting board that is breaking apart at the glue joints, you know it’s a sad sight. This happens because the end grain absorbs water much more quickly than face-grain or edge-grain. As the wood fibres become saturated, they expand, and this can cause an end-grain board to start splitting along the seams. For this reason, end-grain butting boards require greater care to prolong their service life.
At Kinship Crafts, we build cutting boards to last, and we want you to get the most out of your purchase. If you have any questions or comments about proper care, don’t hesitate to send us a message.