Butcher block cutting boards are cutting boards made up of small pieces of wood glued together. It is a great choice for someone who has butcher block countertops in their kitchen as well as people who are environmentally friendly. The reason why butcher block is more environmentally friendly then other materials is that it uses several small pieces of wood instead of one large piece. Plastic cutting boards require petroleum. Solid wood cutting boards require a large part of the tree–which produces a lot of scraps. You can make butcher block cutting boards out of bamboo. Bamboo is extremely environmentally friendly because it is a weed not a tree.
What to look for in butcher block cutting boards
The Butcher Block’s Environmental Impact
If you are considering a butcher block cutting board, rest assured that you are making an environmentally good move! However, some butcher block cutting boards are more environmentally friendly then others. Look to see if the wood comes from environmentally sustainable foresting or if the wood is bamboo. As discussed earlier, bamboo is the most green cutting board you can get since it is a weed. Bamboo can grow up to 12 feet in a single month!
Finish on the Butcher Block Cutting Boards
Butcher Block can come in many finishes. You can get a light or dark finish as well as a toxic or non-toxic finish. If you are using the butcher block as a cutting board, please get a non-toxic finish. All butcher block from the store are finished with non-toxic finishes but, if you are buying it from a craftsman, make sure you tell him to put on a non-toxic finish.
Also, look at what type of finish is used. Some finishes require more maintenance then others. Usually, the thicker the finish, the deeper it will stay with the wood. Usually, you need to re-oil your butcher block ever other week. Find the best butcher block oil and use it on your wooden surfaces.
Butcher Block Cutting Boards Hardness
The reason why a serious cook would want to have a butcher block cutting board is because the softness of the wood absorbs the impact on the knife’s blade. This makes your knives last longer and sharper. That is why plastic cutting boards are not as nice. Also, butcher block cutting boards that are made of soft woods are better then hard woods like Oak.
Butcher Block Cutting Board Size
If you are new to cooking, this is something you might not realize. A larger cutting board will also be more helpful then a small cutting board. The extra cutting real estate will allow you to cut more items without having to stop and move the items into a bowl. This is a huge time saver. If you can and have the room for a large cutting board in your kitchen, go for it.
3 Great Butcher Block Cutting Boards
Catskill Butcher Block Cutting Board with Grooves
This butcher block cutting board is HEAVY and LARGE. This is great for anyone who is a serious cook. You can cut anything and everything on here and, since it is so heavy, it won’t slide around. Also, it has hand grooves so you can lift it up easily even if your hands are wet.
The cutting board also features a juice edge to catch any juices that drip out of your meats or vegetables. This is great so your countertop remains clean. The board also features rubber legs to guard it against slipping. You also get a deep, dark wood color finish on the board. It is beautiful in any kitchen.
Everyone who has bought this cutting board loves it. You can see it for yourself here.
Totally Bamboo Butcher Block Cutting Board with Legs
The board has bamboo legs for stability and slip control as well as elevation. The board does not feature a juice edge like the previous board but is water proof and good for general use. You can read more about the board here.
Congo two tone butcher block Cutting Board
This Mountain Wood cutting board is great if you are looking for a colorful piece to your kitchen. The cutting board features a dark and light tone wood as well as hand grooves for easy lifting. The boar, like the previous two boards, are heavy and large. No skimpy boards here! The weight helps to keep it steady when cutting as well as sturdy after years of use.
Note that the board is very cheap and you may get a few blemishes in your wood. This is not the best cut of wood in the whole wide world, but for $40, what did you think you were getting? It is well constructed and will last you for quite some time. Everyone who has bought this board loves it.
3 Not so Great butcher block cutting boards
Catskill Craftman End-Grain Cutting Board
This cutting board SUCKS. It will split and fall apart within a few weeks of use. Even if you properly oil it and keep it dry. It looks beautiful when you first open the package, but the glue that used does not last.
The board is the cheapest end-grain cutting board you can find but it is cheaply made as well. Do not buy.
GSI Cutting Board
Do not buy this cutting board as well.
John Boos Chop-n-slice
This product is not something you should buy.
And the winner for butcher block cutting boards is…
What is the best cutting board? The Catskill Butcher Block Cutting board is the best. It is heavy, thick, large and has legs. It will not slip on you when you are cutting. It will not move when you are cutting, even if you are cutting bones. It also has juice grooves so that your countertop remains clean. I hope this post helped you out in your butcher block cutting boards findings.