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When it comes to your cutting board, it is important to consider quality and what it will primarily be used for. There is a wide variety of boards available by size, materials, and uses. It is also crucial to determine which type of knife will be used so as not to damage your new cutting board by using the wrong type.

There are small, medium, and large cutting boards available and the size you choose depends on the size of your kitchen, but also the size of your work area. Some people have small households and will only be cutting up a small quantity of items and will only need a smaller sized cutting board. Others have large households and are dealing with bulk items to feed many mouths and will need a mid-sized or large cutting board.

Several materials can be found to meet your cutting board needs. The most common is wood, but they can also be made of different types of acrylic polymers and these may be more dishwasher safe and easier to sanitize. These plastic types can be made rigid for a firmer grasp while cutting. They can also be made to be thin and flexible for situations such as finely chopping vegetables and bending to place in another container such as a pot of boiling water.

The most durable type of cutting board is made of wood, but one also has to take care to clean it properly and learn how to store it in the long term. Frequently these are made of maple, walnut, or cherry which are all types of hardwood. Softer woods do not work well for this type of application because they will leave permanent indentations too easily and also absorb too much liquid.

There are boards made for primarily for cutting meat and also those for fruits and vegetables or for cheese or bread. Different types of wood and finishes are best for these different applications. There are cutting surfaces that have a ridge around the outside to catch the “juices” which are very helpful in preventing runoff and bothersome messes. Some cutting boards have a beautiful design and others are purely functional.