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Ready to host the biggest cookout of the summer? Preparing for the greatest Christmas party your unit has ever known? Then pull out all the stops and use the best gear available. Got a grill, a smoker, and a slow cooker for some killer meats? Awesome. What about the proper tools for cutting that meat when it’s time to chow down? The perfect carving knife is an absolute must, but make sure not to forget about the cutting board. Yes, we’re sure you could cut on the countertop or some plate from the cupboard, but really, only amateurs take those kinds of shortcuts. Slicing through linoleum or mutilating the wife’s favorite dishes won’t do you or your pocketbook much good. A popsicle on an August sidewalk at Fort Huachuca will outlast your dream of becoming the base pitmaster. Plan ahead, and get a cutting board.
Prodyne Prep u0026 Slice Cutting Board BB-16
Seville Classics Bamboo Cutting Board and Color-Coded Cutting Mats
Sonder Los Angeles Highland Cutting Board
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Tempered Glass Cutting Board
Bambüsi Premium Bamboo Cutting Board
Related: How to properly sharpen a knife without losing a finger
Why should you trust us
In addition to my years of collecting data and arranging words on paper, I’ve been cooking since before I could drive. I have a repertoire replete with grilling, frying, and slicing skills, and I understand firsthand the incredible value of the proper kitchen equipment. I have an appreciation for quality cutlery for use outside the kitchen as well.
The most common types of cutting boards
Cutting board
As the name implies, these traditional cutting boards provide a solid work surface to protect your counters. While rectangular boards are most common, cutting boards come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Smaller, circular boards called cheese boards are perfect for cutting and serving everything from a sophisticated Brie to a holiday cheese ball. Cutting boards designed for everyday, suburban-esque use consist of polypropylene or some similar material, while most upscale boards are made with bamboo, wood, and even tempered glass. When it comes to finding a cutting board, there is an option (or two) for everyone.
Cutting mat
Sometimes, a cutting board needs to be lighter and more adaptable to meet less conventional needs, but a solid slab of polypropylene or wood won’t cut the mustard. Enter the cutting mat. Like petroleum-based boards, these cutting surfaces fulfill a utilitarian role, but unlike their stiff, plastic competitors, their flexible nature makes them more portable, making them an excellent choice for use on picnics, at the cabin, or in the RV. Cutting mats often come in inexpensive sets with multiple color-coded mats designed to discourage cross contamination, particularly when clean water is at a premium.
What to consider when buying cutting board
Juice groove
While not available on cutting mats, the juice groove is arguably the most common and most useful cutting board feature. These channels run along the edges of the cutting board, forming a ring around the main cutting surface and, as the name implies, collecting excess liquids from any foods being sliced or diced. The juice groove minimizes kitchen messes, and serves as a point for collecting valuable liquids for reuse.
Why do you need a cutting board?
Every cook needs a cutting board, whether they be a professional, an amateur, or anywhere in between. A simple slab of wood or plastic may not seem that important at first, but that boring bamboo board can save you from a surprising number of headaches. Over time, a knife blade’s consistent use on linoleum, tile, or granite will wear down both the blade and the counter with a disproportionate impact on one or the other. While a knife may be easy to sharpen, a countertop replacement can be an expensive proposition. Of course, counters can also be quite dirty, particularly when showered with sneezes and smudged with finger prints. A cutting board easily prevents expensive countertop damage, time-consuming knife sharpening sessions, and food contamination by providing a barrier between everyday surfaces and your food.
Cutting boards can also double as a food transportation platform, allowing busy parents to bring freshly-sliced fruit to a table of voracious kiddos. On the flip side, a wooden or glass cheese board adds a sophisticated touch to any adult event.
Pricing ranges for cutting boards
Cutting boards tend to be affordable kitchen accessories, but for those who love to spend on premium kitchen equipment, there are plenty of upscale options available. Most often, finding a cutting board or even a set of cutting boards for $20 or less is about as easy as it gets, at least if you have no issues with polypropylene or similar materials, and the same can be said for cutting mats which usually come in sets of around six. That said, nicer cutting boards with unique features can fall within the $20 to $40 range, and basic wood, bamboo, and tempered glass options also populate this price range. Any cutting board over $40 usually consists of good quality natural materials. These boards often include features rarely or never seen on its competitors, and both specialty and custom cutting boards will almost always cost north of $40.
How we chose our top picks
When reviewing new gear, we much prefer to go the hands-on route, but sometimes, a lack of resources may thwart our attempts to get our mitts on some cool gear. When that happens, we listen to those who have firsthand experience. We comb through reviews on Amazon, enthusiast blogs, professional publications, and more to bring you the best, most comprehensive information we can. We sift through it all, keeping the gold and tossing the rest.
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