Teak is good for cutting boards, but after considering so many wood species, you may be curious about what makes teak special. Continue reading to learn more about its unique properties.
I have tried different wooden cutting boards through the years, and one thing that bothers me is when they cannot repel water. I also discovered that they need regular maintenance to ensure excellent condition.
Fortunately, I came across teak. This hardwood seems like the ideal material for cutting boards because it is durable and water-resistant. Teak wood also looks great in your kitchen.
However, it is essential to consider other factors besides the teak’s hardness and visual appeal. These include wear and tear resistance, maintenance requirements, and sustainability.
Below, I will discuss the elements that make for an excellent chopping block. I will also enumerate the reasons why you must consider a teak wood cutting board.
What Are the Factors to Consider When Buying Wooden Cutting Boards?
Wooden cutting boards come in direct contact with food and moisture. Thus, it is vital to look for the correct type of wood that can handle these elements. Otherwise, you compromise the food safety and lifespan of the chopping block.
Fortunately, I included the factors to consider before buying wood cutting boards. These can help you make a wise purchasing decision and find the best wood cutting board.
Hardness
Wood materials are available in two major types–-softwood and hardwood. Their names pretty much explain everything. However, I will further explain each one below, so you can better understand it.
Softwoods usually come from evergreen, cone-bearing trees. These include redwood, cedar, and pine. They are rated below 1,000 lbf (pounds of force) on the Janka hardness scale.
On the other hand, hardwoods refer to leaf-bearing trees, such as mahogany, maple, and teak. They have a hardness rating between 1,000 and 2,500 lbf.
The Janka test measures the hardness of wood. As expected, softwoods are rated at the low end of the spectrum, while hardwoods have a high rating.
A wooden cutting board must neither be soft nor hard. If it is too soft, it is susceptible to damage and scratches. However, a too-tough chopping board can cause your knife to become dull. It must be the right firmness. Look for a wood cutting board with a hardness rating between 900 and 1,500 lbf.
Water and Scratch Resistance
Besides the wood’s hardness, you must also consider the durability of the wooden cutting board.
Choose a wood species that can withstand moisture damage and scratches. The last thing you want is a chopping board that can bend, warp, and deteriorate over time.
You are likely to find hardwoods with these features. Expect them to resist water and scratches better than softwoods. The reason is they have denser wood to endure various elements.
Wood Grain or Porosity
Another buying factor to consider is the wood grain. It describes the appearance, direction, and size of the wood fibers. It also determines the texture of wood, whether smooth or coarse.
Look for a wooden cutting board with a closed grain. That means it features small wood pores and a smooth finish. These can effectively prevent food and liquid from penetrating the wood.
Avoid buying a wooden chopping block with an open grain. It has larger pores that absorb bits of food and moisture. It eventually leads to bacteria and mold growth. Furthermore, it is more vulnerable to deforming and warping over time.
Dimensions
A wooden cutting board is available in different sizes. It is up to you to choose the best proportions, depending on your needs.
However, many homeowners argue that a larger wood cutting board with an ample space is better. And I agree.
Do not get me wrong—I like small cutting boards for slicing garnishes and cheese. But I find their uses limited.
It is best to use a large wooden chopping block for its versatility. To know if one has enough space, put a knife blade diagonally across its cutting surface. You must see an inch of wood on both sides of your largest blade.
As for the thickness, look for a cutting board with an inch measurement. The thicker the board, the better. It can reduce the risk of warping or splitting, ultimately retaining its shape over time.
Other Features
When shopping for butcher blocks, you may discover other boards with extra features. These include handles, textured grips, trenches, and even rubber feet. They can help you perform kitchen tasks with ease.
For instance, chopping blocks with handles allow easy carrying and storage. Meanwhile, those with textured grips on the bottom prevent the wooden cutting board from sliding when chopping vegetables.
Moreover, cutting boards with trenches or juice grooves around the wooden board are suitable for slicing raw meat or fruit. The juice groove catches any liquid runoff to minimize the mess on your kitchen countertop.
Finally, wooden chopping blocks with feet can make cleaning easier. The raised cutting surface is also ideal for food presentations of hors d’oeuvres and cold cuts.
Price
The price is the last factor to consider before buying the best cutting boards.
It is best to set a budget to prevent overspending. You might also want to list the must-have features of your preferred chopping board. Doing so can help narrow down your choices.
Lastly, note that expensive cutting boards are not necessarily the best products out there. Do not be afraid to explore the market for cheaper yet quality finds.
Is Teak Good for Cutting Boards?
Now that you know what makes a great wood cutting board, you may wonder if teak is a good material.
Teak is among the best hardwoods to use for cutting boards.
This tropical timber boasts a hardness of 1,155 and 2,330 lbf on the Janka scale, depending on the species. It can withstand dents, food spills, and regular washing with water.
Furthermore, a teak cutting board has a high natural oil content. It offers a protective layer that resists water and scratches.
Finally, teak features a closed wood grain. It is one of the factors that determine a great wooden chopping block.
Why Is Teak the Best Wood for Cutting Boards?
There are several reasons to use teak wood as a chopping block material. Read on to learn about the benefits teak cutting boards bring to the table.
Durable Build
One of the first reasons to choose teak wood is its durability.
As previously mentioned, it ranks high on the Janka hardness scale. Thus, it does not easily crack and split whenever you slice meat and vegetables.
Additionally, a teak cutting board rarely has scratches on its surfaces. It can endure sharp knives, cleaning solutions, and other harsh elements.
Furthermore, teak wooden boards can withstand dents and wear. So regardless of how many times you drop or pound them, they can retain their shape and overall strength.
Finally, a teak wooden cutting board is resistant to heat. It can handle hot or recently cooked food without melting, unlike plastic boards and other woods.
Overall, the teak board has a durable build that makes it an industry-standard chopping board.
Moisture-Resistant Properties
Teak hardwood, which comes from tree rings, contains a high amount of natural oil. Also known as teak wood oil, it creates a water-resistant layer on the wood surface. It also locks in the natural protective properties of the hardwood. Therefore, a teak wood cutting board can prevent the cutting surface from cracking and becoming brittle or dry.
Besides its pure oil content, teak has a tight wood grain. That leads to closed or small wooden pores on end grain boards. These prevent liquid from seeping into your teak wood cutting board and leaving stubborn stains. They also help prolong the lifespan of your teak chopping block.
Food-Safe Finish
Teak kitchenware items, including chopping boards, are safe to use around food.
Teak boards do not react with the acid in food, unlike plastic cutting boards.
Teak also has anti-microbial properties owing to its tight wood grain. It can prevent water from penetrating the wood board. As a result, it can kill bacteria and other harmful organisms that thrive in wet environments.
Unfortunately, the same does not apply to wooden butcher blocks, plastic boards, and rubber cutting boards with larger pores. They tend to accumulate leftover food in the loose end grain. Thus, they cause bacteria and germs to grow in the teak wood cutting board.
Low Maintenance
A teak wood cutting board also requires little maintenance besides occasional cleaning. It can retain its natural texture and color for a year with thorough washing. This is all thanks to the natural oils present in the end grain board.
However, teak butcher blocks might fade into a silver-gray patina over time. That said, they do not turn completely black or deteriorate.
Appearance
On top of all these advantages, a teak wood cutting board offers an attractive finish. They feature a classic golden brown color. This shade is versatile enough to fit your interior design, making it one of the best wood materials today.
Some teak wooden boards are also handcrafted. So if you are looking for the perfect gift for a chef or a foodie, consider these products.
What Are the Cons of Using A Teak Cutting Board?
By now, you are probably ready to invest in a teak cutting board. But before you do, it is essential to look past its benefits and also consider its downsides.
First, teak trees have suffered from illegal logging and over-exploitation in the past. There have been efforts to re-grow these plantations in recent years. However, the supply remains low while demand increases every year. So if you want a sustainable and eco-friendly material, then teak might not be the right hardwood for you.
Another disadvantage of teak cutting boards is their high price tag. They are expensive for several reasons. These include the low supply, the need for importation, and the overall cost of growing teak trees.
How to Maintain Teak Wood Cutting Boards?
Although teak is debris- and water-resistant, it requires occasional maintenance to retain its natural protective qualities and luster.
Fortunately, it is relatively easy to maintain a teak cutting board.
First, hand wash the wooden board after each use. Start by getting a soft sponge or a kitchen towel. Next, soak this material in water and dishwashing liquid. Then, proceed to scrub away leftover food and oil on the surface.
Once clean, rinse soapy water with water. Finally, do not forget to dry the wooden chopping block.
Besides regular hand washing, you should oil your teak cutting board. Apply oil finishes every four to six months, depending on how often you use your butcher’s block.
I know what you are probably thinking: why do I need to oil teak if it already has natural oils?
Well, that is true. However, regular washing can strip off some of those pure wood oils. That leaves the teak board more susceptible to damage and decay.
Fortunately, you can invest in teak care products, such as oils, to protect the wood surface for a long time. Look for a food-safe formula to ensure your safety. The last thing you want is to get food poisoning from using toxic oil finishes.
What Are Other Woods to Use for Cutting Boards?
If you have decided that a teak cutting board is not for you, you might be looking for alternatives.
Below are some hardwoods to consider for your kitchen needs.
Maple
Maple is a popular material used in a wooden cutting board. It has a rating of 1,450 lbf on the Janka hardness scale. That means it is durable enough to resist scratches and moisture damage. But at the same time, it does not dull your knife.
A maple cutting board also has a closed wood grain. Its small pores prevent bacteria growth.
Furthermore, maple has a neutral color and subtle grain that looks fresh in every kitchen.
The only downside is that it is susceptible to food stains. So if you often slice beets or turmeric roots, wash the board immediately or consider other hardwoods instead.
Beech
Beech shares a few similarities with maple boards. It has about the same hardness rating at 1,300 lbf. Therefore, it is as effective as maple at withstanding dents and debris.
Beech wooden cutting boards are also inexpensive and low-maintenance. They are ideal for homeowners with a limited budget.
As for their appearance, beech chopping blocks have a cream, soft-pink color. They turn dark over time.
However, beech wood can absorb water, making it vulnerable to rot.
Acacia
Acacia is a solid and sturdy choice for a chopping block. It is hard-wearing at around 1,700 to 2,300 lbf. Thus, it remains sturdy for years to come.
Acacia cutting boards also have antimicrobial properties. Moreover, they are relatively cheaper than teak chopping blocks.
However, acacia requires more maintenance than other hardwood types.
Bamboo
Bamboo is hard grass and technically not wood. But it is still a great alternative to teak for its renewable and sustainable nature.
Bamboo does not require chemicals to grow or harvest. Additionally, it is rated at 1,380 lbf on the Janka hardness scale. Therefore, it can resist water and scratches.
However, be careful when using bamboo cutting boards because they are hard on knives. Nevertheless, they are still a great addition to your kitchen.
Conclusion
The best wooden cutting board must be durable, food-safe, and water-resistant. Teak wood checks all these boxes. On top of all these benefits, teak cutting boards have a beautiful finish that requires little maintenance. Therefore, teak is among the best materials to use for chopping blocks. So, you can hide your plastic cutting board and use a beautiful teak board instead.
