Your kitchen ensemble won't be complete without a trusty wooden chopping board. Yes, a knife may be the shining star, but a wooden cutting board is an unsung hero. Many chefs prefer wood over other materials because it extends the life of your knives. It also prevents the spread of germs by keeping them trapped inside the grooves, where they eventually die out.
If you're still wondering which type of wooden board is right for your kitchen, you came to the right place! We'll give you a buying guide, fact-checked by Chef Terence Fereday Jr., with what you need to keep in mind before purchasing a competent wooden cutting block, and some recommendations on the best ones to buy online.
Quick List - Top Wooden Chopping Boards
Chef Terrence has 30 years of experience working in the professional kitchen. He graduated from the Professional Culinary Institute in California, USA, and he was a former Culinary Instructor, Corporate Chef, and Executive Chef. He also won several awards in culinary competitions and is the founder and owner of Zilla Pizza.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
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Hands down, wood is by far the best material for chopping boards. Let's take a look at the advantages of having a wooden chopping board in your kitchen. But there are downsides to this material, too. We'll talk about all of these points in the following section.
Wooden boards can last a very long time—maybe even a lifetime! Many traditional chefs still use wood since damages or deep scratches can be saved by re-sanding the board to smoothen its surface.
A good knife will perform poorly if you have a bad cutting board. Luckily, there are types of wood that are gentle on the knife's edge, like maple or walnut. They are strong enough to be called hardwoods but not too punishing for your knives to ruin them.
Also, most people are skeptical about using wooden chopping boards since they are porous and could easily absorb liquid, which is very unsanitary. However, in a study conducted on the decontamination of wood and plastic boards, wood was able to absorb bacteria, trapping them on the surface and killing them eventually.
Although this characteristic isn't as important to some home cooks, getting an aesthetic wooden board wouldn't hurt. It adds personality and creates a homey vibe in your living space. There are even stores that let you customize the board with your name, initials, or favorite quote, so you can display it in your kitchen!
After use, a wooden chopping board requires some upkeep to maintain its integrity. As an organic material, it needs frequent conditioning with food-grade mineral oil. This prevents the wood from drying out, warping, or cracking. This also protects the wood from stains, as most cut-up ingredients secrete liquids that get soaked up in the board.
Extended exposure to heat and moisture will surely end your board's life earlier than expected. A gentle soap and running water are all you need to clean its surface, but you must let it air dry. After this, mineral oil is applied to replenish the oil that was stripped while being washed.
Most chefs say that solid wood cutting boards are the best, yet they are quite heavy. There's no denying that thicker and bulkier boards are hard to move around the kitchen, so most of them are located at cutting or butchering stations. However, thinner and lighter boards are prone to warping and would tend to last only for months, so these aren't advisable to use in a busy kitchen.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
There are several types of wooden chopping boards for different types of cutting methods. Here are some of the most common ones that you might encounter.
All home cooks have at least one cutting board in their kitchen. All kinds of ingredients can be cut up on this wooden block, and it comes in different sizes and thicknesses. Generally, this type of board provides enough space to slice or chop anything you need to cook.
When sliced, cooked meats usually secrete juices that might get messy on a simple cutting board. For this, it's better to use carving boards—they are characterized by a juice trough around the wooden block, which catches the juice from the meat and prevents it from dripping.
As such, they can also be used for cutting up juicy fruits or veggies. Alternatively, you can use your carving board as a presentation platter during dinners or parties, otherwise known as a charcuterie board.
Unlike the other types of cutting boards, breadboards are significantly longer to accommodate loaves or baguettes. They have deep elongated grooves on the surface that do a great job of collecting bread crumbs. You might need to invest in this type of board if you make homemade bread or purchase unsliced bread often.
Putting your whole force on every chop can cut up thick meat slices, but this can also damage the wooden board beneath it. Cutting boards are thinner and lighter, so you need a butcher's block for this sort of kitchen action. A butcher's block has more weight and thickness for stability—no more worrying about your every hack and slash.
Below are some of the most sought-after types of wood material that manufacturers use as boards. Each has its own merit that might suit your requirement.
The go-to material for wood cutting boards is maple. It is sturdy enough for daily use but not too punishing for knives. This material has closely packed grains and smaller pores so it doesn't soak up liquids easily, making it easier to wash and dry up.
Since it has natural antimicrobial properties, it is tough on germs and stops their growth. Unfortunately, maple can easily get stained from brightly colored foods such as fruits and meat.
Walnut is the most knife-friendly among all hardwood materials. It comes in a dark and rich color and has soft closed-grains like maple. And you need not worry about stains and scuff marks, as this material just hides them. However, you might want to choose another option if you have nut allergies.
If you're looking for a more affordable option for maple wood, go for bamboo or beechwood. Though bamboo is not a hardwood, it is still durable—you can use it for your every day kitchen needs. It is also lightweight, flexible, and sustainable since it grows fast.
Like maple, beech is water, dirt, and germ-resistant and has small pores. Many manufacturers use this wood as it ages like fine wine—the darker the red hue of the wood, the older it is in age.
Often found in Southeast Asian countries, this tropical hardwood is a good cutting board for busy kitchens—it's definitely worth the investment! Teak wood could last a really long time due to its hardness and durability, as it contains high levels of silica.
It has close grains and produces natural oils, making it water-resistant. Even with constant washing, it won't warp the wood, but the hardness could greatly diminish the sharpness of your knife. Also, it can be a bit expensive.
Other tropical woods that are used for chopping boards are tamarind, Acacia, Mahogany, and Tanguile. Tamarind wood is often used in wet markets to chop meat, as it can withstand constant use. Also known as Sampaloc wood, it is highly resistant to decay and insect attacks, making it great for slicing raw ingredients.
On the other hand, Acacia and Mahogany wood are water- and scratch-resistant. These reddish-brown woods also have natural antimicrobial properties that make them safe for food preparation. Meanwhile, Tanguile or Philippine Mahogany is a type of hardwood that's lightweight yet durable. It has a reddish-brown color and a fine-grain pattern, too.
Wooden chopping boards come in different shapes, and choosing one will depend on your preference. The thickness of the board should be noted as well—two inches should be the standard for any wooden cutting board. Selecting the shape and size of the chopping board lies on your inclination and the dimension of your countertop.
Rectangular chopping boards are the most common type of cutting board. They have a large surface area for cutting up any type of ingredient, may they be small or big. Some cutting boards also have rounded corners that make them look more elegant.
I always go for rectangular-shaped chopping boards. More surface area means easier and safer food prepping!
Although they don't offer much space, square and round chopping boards are great as serving trays for parties. They can be used to serve pizza, cheese, cold cuts, and other finger foods to your guests. However, they can also be utilized to cut up small ingredients such as fruits and herbs.
Novelty-shaped boards can be in the shape of your favorite animal, or in some instances, your favorite cartoon character. Some also come in irregular shapes such as waves for aesthetic purposes. If you're aiming to get a novelty cutting board, just make sure that it is large enough to have some space for food to be put on.
Since we're concentrating on wood in this article, we should learn how to assess if the material met certain standards to make the right cutting board. We'll discuss these in detail below.
Most board makers prefer hardwood trees that grow slower and have denser compositions. Maples, teaks, and walnuts are some of the best examples of hardwoods that don't scratch easily. Porosity also contributes to the hardness of any type of wood. It refers to the size of the pores in the wood, which is determined by the wood grain.
The size, direction, and appearance of the wood fibers are the wood grain. Closed-grain wood is the best type for a cutting board since it has smaller pores and is smoother to the touch. This quality prevents liquid from getting into the wood, keeping it safe from bacteria and other microbes.
You might be tempted to get that beautiful wooden chopping board without checking the material, however, there are tree species that create poison as a defense mechanism. It's best to avoid those species as the toxins could get absorbed into the food. If you're not too sure which wood is safe, keep in mind that fruit-bearing or sap-producing trees are generally food-safe.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Material | Shape | Size | |||||
1 | Luid Lokal Classic Rectangle Chopping Board | ![]() | Crafted for Style, Built for Function | Chopping Board, Cutting Board | Acacia Wood | Rectangular | 12 x 8 x 1 inches | |
2 | Kahoy Acacia Board with Groove | ![]() | Where Elegance Meets Functionality in Every Slice | Steak Board, Cutting Board, Chopping Board, Serving Board, Cheese Board, Reversible Butcher Blocks | Acacia Wood | Rectangular | 12 x 16 x 1 inches | |
3 | Innabaya Thick Acacia Wooden Chopping Board | ![]() | Built to Last, Crafted for Precision | Chopping Board | Acacia Wood | Rectangular | 10 x 14 x 1.5 inches | |
4 | Wooden Dreams Personalized Acacia Classic Chopping Board | ![]() | Your Custom Acacia Classic Board | Chopping Board, Charcuterie Board | Acacia Wood | Rectangular | 13 x 7 x 1 inches | |
5 | Hattori Hanzo Walnut, Cherry, and Mahogany Edge Grain Cutting Board | ![]() | Timeless Craftsmanship - Superior Durability and Elegance | Cutting Board | Walnut Wood, Cherry Wood, Mahogany Wood | Rectangular | 9 x 9 x 1.5 inches | |
6 | Dasos-One Plantation Genuine Mahogany Wood Chopping Board | ![]() | Durable, Elegant, and Designed to Capture Every Drop | Cutting Board, Steak Board, Cheese Board | Honduran Mahogany Wood | Rectangular | 14 x 10 x 0.75 inches | |
7 | Simply Creative Genuine Mahogany Cutting Board | ![]() | Pure Functionality Meets Timeless Elegance | Cutting Board | Gemelina Wood, Mahogany Wood | Rectangular | 18 x 10 x 1 inches | |
8 | NJ Rectangular Wooden Chopping Board with Handle | ![]() | Durable Elegance in Every Chop | Chopping Board | Acaia Wood or Beech Wood | Rectangular | 12 x 7 x 1 inches | |
9 | Tramontina Teak Wood Chopping Board | ![]() | Durable Craftsmanship Meets Elegant Functionality | Cutting Board | Teak Wood | Rectangular | 11.02 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches | |
10 | Crysalis Crysalis Wooden Chopping Board | ![]() | Timeless Elegance Meets Durable Acacia Craftsmanship | Cutting Board, Chopping Board, Knife Board | Acacia Wood | Rectangular | 15.55 x 8.86 x 0.59 inches |
Type | Chopping Board, Cutting Board |
---|---|
Material | Acacia Wood |
Shape | Rectangular |
Size | 12 x 8 x 1 inches |
Type | Steak Board, Cutting Board, Chopping Board, Serving Board, Cheese Board, Reversible Butcher Blocks |
---|---|
Material | Acacia Wood |
Shape | Rectangular |
Size | 12 x 16 x 1 inches |
Type | Chopping Board |
---|---|
Material | Acacia Wood |
Shape | Rectangular |
Size | 10 x 14 x 1.5 inches |
Type | Chopping Board, Charcuterie Board |
---|---|
Material | Acacia Wood |
Shape | Rectangular |
Size | 13 x 7 x 1 inches |
Type | Cutting Board |
---|---|
Material | Walnut Wood, Cherry Wood, Mahogany Wood |
Shape | Rectangular |
Size | 9 x 9 x 1.5 inches |
Type | Cutting Board, Steak Board, Cheese Board |
---|---|
Material | Honduran Mahogany Wood |
Shape | Rectangular |
Size | 14 x 10 x 0.75 inches |
Type | Cutting Board |
---|---|
Material | Gemelina Wood, Mahogany Wood |
Shape | Rectangular |
Size | 18 x 10 x 1 inches |
Type | Chopping Board |
---|---|
Material | Acaia Wood or Beech Wood |
Shape | Rectangular |
Size | 12 x 7 x 1 inches |
Type | Cutting Board |
---|---|
Material | Teak Wood |
Shape | Rectangular |
Size | 11.02 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches |
Type | Cutting Board, Chopping Board, Knife Board |
---|---|
Material | Acacia Wood |
Shape | Rectangular |
Size | 15.55 x 8.86 x 0.59 inches |
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
To maintain the quality of your wooden chopping board, use mild dish soap, gently scrub it with a soft sponge, and rinse it with hot water after every use. If you need to disinfect the board or remove stains and odor, mix one part of white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide with four parts of water and spray it onto the surface.
Or, you can sprinkle sea salt on top of the board, scrub the surface with half a lemon, and rinse. Also, remember to store the board upright and let it dry to prevent microbial growth.
Yes, wooden chopping boards are hygienic since they have natural antibacterial properties. However, they require special maintenance—you need to wash, oil, and dry them right after use. If you're looking for a cutting board that's easier to clean and maintain, it might be better to get a plastic chopping board.
You can get personalized wooden chopping boards from E-commerce sites like Lazada and Shopee, or from social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Some stores that offer customized wooden cutting boards are Treen Manila, Ukenshop, Pandragon Engraving, and Anythingeco.
Aside from a trusty wooden chopping board, you'd also need high-quality knives to create your next culinary masterpiece. Be the master of your own kitchen with these top-of-the-line knives and knife sharpeners. Discover how and where you can find them by clicking on the articles below. Happy cooking!
Author: Chafi Lacson
Re-editor: Aprille Jarcia
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Luid Lokal|Classic Rectangle Chopping Board
No. 2: Kahoy|Acacia Board with Groove
No. 3: Innabaya|Thick Acacia Wooden Chopping Board
No. 4: Wooden Dreams|Personalized Acacia Classic Chopping Board
No. 5: Hattori Hanzo|Walnut, Cherry, and Mahogany Edge Grain Cutting Board
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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