30 different types of cutting boards: the ultimate guide

You’ve probably heard all kinds of conflicting advice on which kind of cutting board is the most green, the most sanitary, and the least damaging to your knives. So, who’s right? Determining what type you need is best for you will depend on how you use and maintain it.  Each type is distinct, coming with its own benefits, subtleties, and hygienic protocols. There are types designed for meat, bread, fruits, and vegetables. But which one is the best? Let’s take a look.

All cutting board types

A cutting board is a must-have for every kitchen. While setting up your kitchen, one of the gadgets you will love to make cooking easy is a cutting tray and it is essential you go for the best. There are different cutting boards. They come in different forms, shapes, types, and materials. Therefore, we need to go over all the types. 

Cutting board

Everyone has at least one cutting board in their kitchen. Most of us use it for everything from chopping vegetables to slicing bread for dinner. There are different kinds of the cutting block. This one can be made out of many different materials. Also, cutting boards exist in different sizes and shapes and even can be different colors and designs. Generally, a cutting board will give you a strong enough surface to chop anything you want.

Carving board

Cutting boards often have a juice trough around the exterior of the block. It helps to catch the juice from meat when you are cutting it. This ensures that you do not end up with a huge mess all over your countertops. They are also very helpful for chopping and preparing juicy fruit or vegetables. Of course, carving boards were originally designed to provide a safe place to cut your meat. The juice trough will ensure that you do not have a sticky mess to clean up after cutting your food.

Breadboard

You shouldn’t slice bread on a dinner table! If you want to be able to enjoy this treat, then you need to invest in a bread cutting board. Unlike regular cutting blocks that you use in the kitchen, breadboards are significantly longer. They can easily handle the length of a baguette or other loaves. They will do a great job collecting the crumbs from your bread. Therefore, you don’t have a huge mess.

Flexible mat

A flexible cutting mat is a great option if you need a surface for cutting but also want to be able to create a funnel out of the mat to easily dump all of your chopped ingredients into your pot. You won’t have to worry about scraping food into the pot or the trash without spilling. You can easily roll this mat into a tube. Easy to use, maintain and clean. The flexible mat comes in different shapes and colors too.

Butcher block

If compared with cutting boards which are considerably thinner and lighter in weight, butcher blocks offer more weight and thickness. This allows you to easily chop your meat without worrying about damaging a cutting board or about the food slipping off and falling onto your counter. This ensures that you do not spread germs in your kitchen. Plus, you won’t put yourself at risk of injury.

Cutting board materials

There are a few different types that are each made from different materials. But which is the best material? Cutting boards are made out of several popular materials which include wood, bamboo, plastic (polyurethane), glass and composite materials.

Bamboo boards

A great substitute for wood is bamboo. Bamboo is the choice of many environmentalists. Bamboo is a sustainable, renewable resource that needs no chemicals to thrive or be harvested. Therefore, bamboo boards absorb less liquid than wooden. As a result, they are more sanitary than wooden ones. They are harder than wood but have more advantages over them. The bamboo cutting board is also susceptible to bacteria. You should clean, dry it and oil bamboo blocks for long time usage. Bamboo won't cause excessive wear and tear to cutlery. Bamboo is all-natural with antibacterial, antimicrobial properties that absorb less liquid and has fewer cross-contamination concerns.

Wooden boards

This type is the oldest form of all cutting blocks. The wooden board is the greatest type for the health of a knife. They are beautiful, strong, durable and attractive. Good hard wooden blocks do not dull knives. They are made from several kinds of wood like royal mahogany, white oak, cherry, walnut, and maple. Moreover, this type of cutting board is also porous. They absorb bacteria, and they are a bit difficult to sanitize. You should clean, dry and oil them after every usage to keep them in good condition for the long term. Heavy chopping should be minimal on this board as this could break the wood fiber. This type is best used for cutting vegetables, bread, and herbs. This board comes in two styles; it could either be end grain or edge grain.

End grain wood

End grain types are made from multiple boards ends glued together. The knife-edge slides between the vertical wood fibers making end grain wood cutting boards gentle on knives. It also allows them to dry out the easier, stain and crack. They are usually the most expensive because it’s the most labor-intensive type to make. Due to the nature of their construction, they are 3 to 4 inches thick and heavy.

Edge grain wood

Edge grain types are the sides of boards glued together in alternating strips, with the sides (edges) facing up. This is the most common type because it balances strength and durability with a cost. They are harder on knife edges than end grain. On the other hand, they are easier to clean and maintain. Edge grain wooden boards can vary in thickness and come in all sorts of sizes. They will last for years.

Plastic boards

The most widely used type of cutting block is definitely the plastic one. They are made from polyethylene. Plastic cutting boards dull your blade faster than a wood or bamboo types. Therefore, it is a big disadvantage for these types.
Moreover, the plastic board doesn’t look as attractive due to the accumulation of hundreds of marks. They also harbor bacteria but it’s minimal. This includes nasty microscopic things that will wreak havoc on your gut once ingested. A benefit is they can be washed easily in the dishwasher. This makes them better than a wooden one. This type can be used for chopping and cutting a lot of things like meat, fruit, and vegetables. Plus, plastic boards come in a lot of fun colors which you can use as a coding system if you want.

Note: make sure to only use a high-quality plastic that is certified safe for preparing food. You do not want to ingest any chemicals or plastic shavings.

Glass boards

These are the most beautiful boards. On the other hand, the glass isn’t the most practical for everyday use. The plus is that the glass cutting trays are nonporous and easy to clean. They can be washed in a sink or dishwasher. Glass cutting boards have the hardest and heaviest surface. But, they are the worst board for your knives. They dull the knife very fast and the surface is quite slick. Therefore,  you should be very careful while using it. Most people use this board for serving instead of cutting. Glass cutting blocks are fragile and potentially dangerous for your fingers.

Composite cutting board

Composite types can be made from a range of materials. It can include recycled wood or paper, and even a popular resin material. This board offers a durable surface but is hard on knives. If they are made from recycled materials you get the environmentally friendly benefit as well. They are food-safe, easily maintained and can really last long.

Marble

This type is one of the most stylish, beautiful and gorgeous you can buy. But it is sure to quickly damage your knives. If you love the look of marble and really want to invest in a marble cutting tray, then you better use it as an attractive cheese plate or as a trivet. It’s not worth all of the damage that you’ll cause your knives to attempt to chop and cut on this material.

Granite

Granite cutting boards are incredibly gorgeous. But the problem is that they are very hard materials which will dull your chef knives extremely quickly. They are much better used for rolling out dough than for slicing or chopping food. Plus, granite boards are expensive.

Note:  it’s important to remember that you will have to sharpen your knives on a regular basis but you can use it as a trivet for when you take dishes out of the oven.

Silicone

Silicone is not going to dull your blade nearly as quickly as other materials. Another benefit of a silicone cutting board is that it itself is very flexible. It allows you to bend it and dump the food you have chopped into your pan or the scraps into the garbage. Additionally, the surface does a great job of resisting bacteria growth. Because these cutting boards are non-slip, you will not have to worry about chasing it around your kitchen countertop. 

Stoneware

It’s important to realize that you are not actually going to be prepping food on this surface as it is incredibly brittle and will dull and damage your knives quickly. These cutting boards are very attractive and can be used as a serving tray or cheese platter. If you do decide to use your stoneware cutting trays to prep food, then it is important to note that you will likely have to sharpen your knives on a more regular basis.

Cutting board shape

As you can see, there is a huge variety of cutting boards. And now we want to show you all the possible shapes of cutting trays. Let’s start!

Rectangle

It is probably the most popular shape for a cutting board. Such type comes in many sizes and is large enough to offer the space that you need. Many rectangles actually have rounded corners. Rectangle one looks more beautiful and you do not have to worry about knocking your hand against the corner when cutting.

Round

Such type is extremely attractive. But round cutting boards do not offer you a lot of space for actually chopping and preparing food. They are often used for displaying food on a table as a serving tray. It’s important that it is large enough that you have enough space for the blade of the knife as well as the food you are chopping and your hands as you work so that you do not put yourself at risk of injury.

Square

It is hard to work on these cutting blocks. But a square cutting board may be very beautiful. The disadvantage is they are not long enough for chopping and slicing, therefore you should choose another shape of cutting board for proper usage.

Novelty

These cutting boards can be anything from the outline of a person’s home state to his or her favorite animal. These are a very fun addition to the kitchen and a great piece of decor. Novelty cutting boards can be tricky to use. They do not offer a lot of space and are more likely to be just great decor. 

Note: If you want to choose a novelty type, you should choose one that is large enough to use and still have some space for the food that you have chopped.

Half-circle

This style of cutting board can be pushed up against the wall or edge of the stove so you have a nice firm, solid service to work on. The straight edge of this cutting tray is great for pressing up against a solid surface while the curved edge gives your wrists an actual place to rest while you are chopping and prepping food.

The different features of cutting boards

Did you know that all cutting trays are not created equal? They have different features for all tastes and budgets. We put together all of them to help you make a decision easily.

Reversible

You may not always know which side is up. This is when it’s beneficial to go ahead and purchase a reversible cutting block. Such a cutting board will allow you to use either the front or the back without any worries. You can use a reversible cutting board for preparing your food or use it as a cheese plate for a party.

Non-slip

Do you like to use sharp knives in the kitchen? Of course, you do. But how can you prevent the risk of injuring yourself? There is a good cutting board option for a safe cooking routine. Just invest in a non-slip cutting tray. These are very beneficial because they will not slide across your countertop when you’re using them. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about losing your grip on your knife and accidentally injuring yourself.

Juice groove

Cutting vegetables or roasted meat leads to a lot of juice. It will spill out of the food and potentially get on your countertops. One way to resolve this issue is to buy a cutting block that has a juice groove along the outside edge. This groove is not so deep, therefore it is convenient to use. Plus, it will catch extra juice from your food, so you don’t have to worry about making a huge mess.

Dishwasher-safe

It’s very likely that at the end of cooking your meal, the last thing you are going to want to do is to stand around and wash dishes. That’s why you should buy a cutting block that is dishwasher safe. You can simply put your cutting board into the dishwasher. It will also be able to kill any bacteria or germs that are lingering on your cutting board so that you and your family do not get sick.

Knife included

Now it is easier to buy all of the equipment and accessories for a great cooking routine. Therefore, it is a good idea to buy a cutting board with an included knife. You can find a set where the cutting block and the knives are stored together. This set will help you to save some space in your kitchen, which is a great plus.

Personalized

A personalized cutting block is a great way to show someone that you have been thinking about him or her. This gift will remind them of your love each time they use the cutting board. This is a great gift for any holiday or event like a housewarming party, birthday, anniversary, etc. This gift is welcome at any time. A wooden cutting tray can be personalized with a design, last name, or phrase.

Handles

It’s smart to look for a cutting block that has handles to make it easy to use or carry it around. These will make it very easy to move your cutting board from one place to another in the kitchen.

Color-coded

It’s always a good idea to have more than one cutting block to avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen. It is cool to have a cutting board specifically for meat or fresh fruits and vegetables. It helps to keep any germs from your meat from getting into your other foods. So, better to buy them in a set, which will give you an option of sizes or even colors to choose from. Because your cutting boards will be color-coded, you will never have to worry about picking up the wrong one for your needs. 

Set

A set of cutting boards is a great choice. Sets will generally come with cutting trays in various sizes. Therefore, you will have all you need for great food prep. Plus, you don’t have to worry about having one that is too small for your needs. Moreover, a set of cutting boards looks very nice when stored together. Choosing a set is a great idea.

Over-the-sink

Many people love to put food directly into the sink when they’re cutting. It allows for saving time and energy during cleanup later. Instead of using a cutting board on the countertop, opt for one that is large enough to go directly over the sink. With this cutting board, you will be able to push scraps and ends directly off to the side and into the sink. Plus,  any juice can drain directly into the sink. Perfect.

Over-the-edge

Is your cutting board likely to slip when you’re working with it? Are you in danger of cutting or injuring yourself? Some cutting trays have a lip on the end. It is a great feature because it will help to keep your cutting block in one position. The lip will act as a natural stop. Therefore, your cutting board is prevented from moving. And you will stay safe :)

The best different types of cutting boards

You should consider your current cooking habits before buying a cutting board. It is best to have at least two types. A bamboo type is the best for prepping meat, fruits, and vegetables. A high-quality plastic tray is good for preparing raw proteins. All cutting boards should be replaced after a few years of use. That’s because bacteria will eventually build up over time. Cleaning after each use and using bleach to disinfect the block will extend their life.