Wooden cutting boards are usually made of hardwoods and they are easy on knives. The sound they make when chopping is not overly loud or grating and they can be beautiful. They are harder to clean, however, and cannot be put in the dishwasher. Cuts and cracks in the wood can harbor bacteria.
The new bamboo cutting boards are actually grass. They are very hard and resistant to bacteria. These boards have a longer usage life than wood, but can be more expensive than wood.
Plastic boards are very affordable and come in a variety of colors. They are very durable and can be used as trivets also. Putting them in the dishwasher will get them cleaner than just washing them. New flexible cutting boards are easy to use and can curl up to tranfer the cut food to pan or bowl. The thin flexible cutting boards have a short usage life.
Tempered glass cutting boards like our Counter Art and Absorbastone boards are beautiful and will match any decor. These boards have feet so air can circulate under, which makes them great for using as trivets. They can be chilled to use for serving cheese and other foods, too! They are very durable and dishwasher safe. They are hard on knives and make a loud noise when chopping. They are the most sanitary and using the Counter Art Grooves the boards can be displayed upright when not in use.
Several types of boards are always good to have on hand, because they perform different jobs with different levels of success. Always cut raw foods and meats on a board that is easy to clean and do not cut other foods on the same board to avoid contamination. Replace boards that are cracked or that have deep cuts. Make sure the boards are dried thoroughly before storage.
Happy chopping!