So what is this Gripper Bamboo Cutting Board you ask?  

Well, first lets explain what problem the Gripper Cutting Board would solve, before we give you the answer that it provides.  Ever start chopping or cutting on your kitchen cutting board only to have it move, shift and wiggle around on your counter top?  Well, simply put, the Gripper cutting board is a cutting board with grips on the bottom of it to keep it from slipping.

Now, it not only has grips on it which is adhered with it’s patented process that permanently seals the Gripper non-slip pads onto the board.  But it is also made out of bamboo which is actually a grass…and is 15% harder than maple.  Even thought it is not a wood, bamboo still has similar properties to wood.  Bamboo has self healing properties when slight cuts are made into it.  They are as gentle on knives as wood is.  And they are also a renewable resource…they can be harvested every five years and grow from the same shoots or stalk as the original has grown from.

So not only are you getting a great cutting board, but you are also getting a board that won`t slip away on you in the middle of your chopping.  The one major disadvantage of the Gripper cutting board is that it is only one sided…as the grips are on the other side.  So you will have to be sure to get a separate board for your raw meats and vegetables to eliminate the possibility of cross contamination.

And there you have the advantages and disadvantages of the Gripper Bamboo Cutting Board.

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Why would you want a travelling plastic cutting board you ask?

Well, here are three suggestions why you may want one.

Picnics

There are some really great picnic kits that come with everything you would need to make your picnic the picture of perfection.  Many of these kits come with a plastic cutting board as well.  Plastic boards are great for travelling as they do not require the same kind of care as wood boards do.  When you get back from your picnic, you can just throw the cutting board into the dish washer as well as your other picnic essentials and pack it up again for your next adventure.

Camping

There are also some great ready to go camping kits that come with plastic cutting boards as well.  Again, these plastic boards are perfect as you don’t need to have a vinegar and water mixture to clean it right after use, nor do you need to oil them like you would with wood cutting boards.  Many camping kits come with a spatula, spoon, sponge, towel, grater, wisk and some additional containers for soap, oil or spices.  Everything you need to go camping all in one bag.  

Fishing

For the fishing enthusiast in your family, these fishing kits are great to take onto the boat along with your rod and tackle box.  That way, you can clean your fish right there on the boat before heading back to shore.  Or you can also use these kits once you get to shore and not have to wait for that drive home to clean your fish.

So these are just a few great ideas for travelling kits that come with plastic cutting boards.  Hope these ideas help you on your next travelling adventure.  

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Are you looking for a great gift idea for someone in your life who is passionate about cooking?  

If so, we have some suggestions for you from the Kitchen Cutting Board!

Picture Cutting Boards

Engraved Cutting Boards

Another idea is to have your loved ones favourite motto or saying engraved onto the board.  Below is an example of a bamboo cutting board that has been engraved.  These can be a great birthday or Christmas gift….as Christmas is quickly approaching!

Design Cutting Boards

You can also have a design cut into a quality cutting board that you know the user will love.  Here is an example of a Mickey Mouse bamboo cutting board.  If your loved one has an affinity to Mickey…this just may be the board for them.

Feel free to look up the web for more kitchen cutting board ideas for someone you know will not only appreciate it…but will be able to use it year round.  Happy Shopping!

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What are end grain bamboo cutting boards you ask?

Well, there are two ways in which you can put a bamboo cutting board together…with the grain and against the grain.  A board that is made with the grain, or flat grain, will look like a plank of wood or strips of wood glued together (see picture below).  However, end grain boards will look more like a chess or checker board.  End grain boards also tend to be more gentle on your cutting knives than flat grain boards. 

Bamboo end grain cutting boards have the benefit of hard wood, in fact they are anywhere from 15% to 16% stronger, yet are much more eco-friendly.  Bamboo is actually a grass rather than a wood, that readily grows back in the same place they are cut.  So they are a renewable resource that can quickly be re-harvested within three to five years, versus traditional hard woods that need re-planting and can take decades before they can be cut again.

Totally Bamboo has two end grain cutting boards that look fabulous from their South Pacific Collection.  They are the Tong Light and the Longa Tonga.  

The Tonga Light (see picture at the beginning of this article) is a square end grain bamboo cutting board that measures 1.5″ H x 11.5″ W x 11.5″ L and comes in at 4.5 pounds.  The Longa Tonga (as pictured below) is their rectangular version and measures 1.5″ H x 12″ W x 15″ L and comes in at 6.7 pounds.  Both of these bamboo cutting boards can be used for cutting or chopping on both sides, so you can minimize food contamination between your raw meats and vegetables.

For these and many other bamboo cutting boards, feel free to look through the web for your end grain board of choice.  Happy shopping!

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You may be asking yourself, what are the Chop2Pot cutting boards?

Well, they are a new flexible cutting board that makes it even easier for preparing food from the cutting board to a mixing bowl…or as the title of the product says…to the pot.  They come in a variety of colours and in small and large sizes.  So they can be easily distinguished for your vegetables, raw and cooked meats…as well as easily stored in your cupboards.

When flat on your kitchen counter, these boards act like any other plastic or flexible cutting board.  However, when you lift these Chop2Pot boards by the handle, the sides fold over creating a type of funnel to allow your chopped or cut food to be easily transferred to a bowl or pot (see the above picture).  Now you don’t have all the mess of regular cutting boards in trying to keep the food from falling on the counter, stove or floor.

Also, like other plastic or flexible cutting boards, they are dish washer safe and if you need to use a stronger cleanser you can mix one part bleach to 20 parts water to give them a really good soaking and cleaning.  Over time however, you will have to replace them as severe or very deep cuts will allow bacteria to accumulate and grow…but since they are not as expensive as your typical wood or bamboo boards, they can be easily disposed of without too much regret or expense.

Another great tip with a flexible or these Chop2Pot cutting boards is using them to add ice to pitchers.  You can easily turn your ice tray upside down on this board, grab the handle and slide the ice cubes down the chute into your pitcher or serving bowl.

Now that you know all you need to with the Chop2Pot flexible cutting board, look on the web for where you can locate yours today.  Happy shopping!  :)

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What types of wood cutting boards are there?

Now at first this may seem to be a simple question…however, at closer examination it is bit more complex.  For instance…what type of wood is it made of…and then what type of cut is the wood?

What type of wood is it made of?

Typically, a wood cutting board should be made of a hardwood that is not very porous.  The hardwood will keep the board from being excessively damaged through use and the non-porous nature of the wood will prevent bacteria from accumulating.

Types of woods that make good hardwood cutting boards…maple, cherry, walnut, ash, acacia and oak are all hardwoods that are not very porous…however, maple is a staple in most kitchens since it is the hardest of all the other domestic woods.  It is non-porous and is very resilient to keeping odours or bacteria from accumulating.  

All wood cutting boards need some extra love and care as opposed to plastic boards.  For instance they will need to be cleaned with a vinegar and water solution as opposed to put in the sink, let alone the dish washer.  They will also need to be oiled with a food grade mineral oil on a regular basis to keep it from drying out and cracking.

What type of cut is the wood?

There are three typical cuts of wood boards…they are flat grain plank edge, flat grain side edge or end grain.  

Flat grain plank edge – this will look like a wide board…almost in one piece (see picture at the start of this article).  The advantage of this board over the other is that it is not as porous as the other boards.  So is most resistant to the accumulation of bacteria or food odours.  However, it is harder on your knife than the other boards, as the knife will cut against the grain of the wood.

Flat grain side edge – this type of board will look like a number of boards glued together as long strips going across the board.  the advantage of this board is that it is not as hard as the plank edge and is still less porous than the end grain.  They also have a bit more of a look to them as opposed to a plain plank board.  See a picture of a side edge board above.

End grain – this type of board will look like a chess board for the kitchen.  There are a number of pieces of wood glued together that make up the many squares, as can be seen in the picture below.  This cutting board is the easiest on your knives as they will cut with the grain of the wood as opposed to against the grain.  However, they are more porous than the plank or side edge boards.  They do look fabulous in the kitchen…can you tell this is my favourite type of board?  

Wood has a natural aversion to bacteria as studies have shown that wood cutting boards will actually reduce bacteria within minutes.  Combined with proper maintenance and cleaning all the above types of wood and cuts can be suitable for your home use.  Just be sure to thoroughly clean your board after each use and not cross contaminate your raw foods.  Happy cooking!  

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We have talked about what kind of kitchen cutting boards to get….but  what about some cutting boards that you shouldn’t get?

The cutting board you purchase should depend upon your use of the board.  If you plan on using the board for food preparation involving cutting or chopping of meats or vegetables…then you should stick with the wood cutting board, bamboo cutting board, plastic cutting board or flexible cutting board.  If however, you are using your board as a serving tray for cheese or the preparation of sandwiches, then the boards listed below are totally suitable…again, depending upon your use.

Three other types of boards you will find in a kitchen are made out of glass, steel and marble.  Now these boards should NOT be used for cutting or chopping for the one main reason…they are all very hard surfaces and can easily dull or chip your knives.  Now I have had some personal experience with this, as I purchased a brand new knife set and dulled it in no time by using a glass cutting board…I was not very happy about that!

Also each type of board has some additional concerns that need to be taken into consideration as well:

Glass – if you use a glass board for chopping, you may in fact break your glass board…now you have a double problem…first you have a broken board…and second, you have shards of glass in the food you are trying to prep.  Glass can also be very slippery and not hold your food in place very well…which can be an issue for keeping your fingers intact!  However, glass cutting boards are excellent for displaying and serving cheeses.

Steel – now steel above all the other boards can most quickly dull your knives…and for that reason alone, should not be used.  It does have the benefit of being easily cleaned and you can use harsh cleansers to keep it clean..but just not for cutting or chopping.  However, steel is great for preparing sandwiches on as well as rolling dough.

Marble – now here is something I didn’t know until I did some further research….not only will marble dull your knives, but it can also degrade over time!  Marble is subject to chemical wear from tomato juice or vinegar…it will actually slowly dissolve the marble surface.  However, marble boards are excellent if you are preparing or rolling dough and if you use it to serve cheeses.

So there you have it…to save your knives some unnecessary wear and tear…again I know this one from personal experience…glass, steel and marble boards should not be used for cutting or chopping…but they are excellent for preparing sandwiches, rolling out dough or serving cheeses.  If you want to do some cutting or chopping…get yourself a good kitchen cutting board made out of either wood, bamboo or plastic.

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There have been a number of discussions regarding the use of flexible cutting boards, as they have the same benefits and risks discussed in a previous article on Plastic Cutting Boards.  

What are some of the benefits of the flexible cutting board?

One of the greatest benefits of a flexible cutting board versus a plastic board, is the ease you can add chopped or cut food into a bowl or pot.  All you need to do is just curl the corners of the cutting board, creating a funnel for the food to easily slide down the cutting board and into any container you want.

Also, similar to plastic boards, they are much more inexpensive than wood boards.  Another benefit, is flexible boards can be rolled up which is great for creating pastries.  They also come in various colours that can be used specifically for raw meats, cooked meats, poultry and vegetables.  Flexible cutting boards are a great space saver since they can be easily stacked in a cupboard or on the counter.  

What are some of the disadvantages of the flexible cutting board?

As with plastic cutting boards, flexible cutting boards also need to be thoroughly cleaned to ensure no food cross contamination or buildup of bacteria.

Some have had the experience of their flexible cutting boards not lasting as long as regular plastic boards.  One thing to be careful of is that you do purchase food grade compliant boards, as some out on the market are of lower quality, are not compliant and can even put you at risk of food contamination.

Overall, depending on what type of cook you are, how busy your life is with family events and kids programs, the flexible cutting board is extremely cost effective, have similar benefits to that of plastic, can be stored in small spaces and be able to funnel cut food into bowls or pots.  Just be sure you clean them appropriately and often.

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One of the first questions to ask, are plastic cutting boards good for you?

The answer to that is…it depends.  Studies have been done saying that wood cutting boards help to eliminate bacteria while plastic cutting boards are known to propagate bacteria.  So, if that is the case, why would anyone even think of purchasing a plastic cutting board you ask?  Well, either cutting board is only as good as how well you take care of it.  Wood cutting boards need a fair amount of maintenance, care and cleaning…bamboo cutting boards need even more.  So if you are not properly maintaining and cleaning your boards, either way you could be looking at potential health issues.

The question I would ask myself in making the decision about a plastic versus a wood or bamboo cutting board, is how do I take care for other things in my house and kitchen?  

If you are the type of person who is meticulous and keeps things clean and organized, you are more likely the type of person who will take the proper care necessary to own a wood cutting board.  However, if you are like many people…who works, takes care of a family and has a lot on the social calendar for yourself and/or your kids, you may not want…or have time to put that extra care into a cutting board.  

What are some things I should know to help me in making this decision?

Well, first of all, plastic cutting boards are quite inexpensive as compared to wood cutting boards.  They can be easily thrown in the dishwasher and can also be soaked in a bleach and water mix to eliminate bacteria.  You can purchase several boards for little cost, ensuring you do not have bacteria cross over by using the same board for raw meats, cooked meats and vegetables.  Once a plastic board is showing signs of wear (when there are a number of cuts in the board) they can easily be thrown away without thinking too much of the investment you put into them.

So, plastic cutting boards seem to still have quite a bit of popularity today in the busy, fast paced society that we live in.  Their inexpensive cost, ease of cleaning and disposability of them make them ideal for the fast paced family of today.

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Are bamboo cutting boards the most “green” or environmentally friendly of all cutting boards?

The answer is an resounding YES!  Why do you ask?  Bamboo is the most renewable of all cutting board materials.  In fact, bamboo is really a grass and not part of the wood family at all.  Bamboo can grow up to 60 feet in height in three to five years…and when it is harvested, it will actually re-grow from its original root base, because its root base is very deep.

What is the difference between a typical hardwood board versus a bamboo board?

Unlike typical hardwoods which once cut will have to be re-planted…bamboo is a renewable resource.  There is no re-planting of large forests after they have been clear cut…making it a very eco-friendly supply of material.  Even though bamboo is a grass, it is also 15% harder than maple.

However, since bamboo is not a traditional wood, it is even more important that you do not let your cutting board soak or get wet.  The grass will tend to soak up moisture and water much more quickly than other woods…so maintenance and cleaning is even more critical with bamboo.

How do I maintenance and clean my bamboo cutting board?

For general maintenance and cleaning tips on wood or bamboo cutting boards, check out an article called What are some of the basics of wood cutting boards?  However, you will want to increase the frequency of cleaning with coarse salt to bi-weekly…again this is a general rule…if you use it more or less frequently, you will need to adjust your cleaning cycle.  Also, you will want to monthly oil your board with a food grade mineral oil.  Finally, for the first week you have your bamboo cutting board, you should oil it daily to seal the entire surface of the board.

So there you have it…bamboo cutting boards are the green boards of the day, they are the strongest and still look beautiful on your kitchen counter as a traditional hardwood board.  

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