i want to build my own cutting board, what is the best wood to use?

Answer 1

Laminated maple or ash will withstand the rough treatment that a cutting board will receive. Pine and other soft woods are too soft. Oak and hickory are too brittle and chip easily. Cut the lumber into 1-1/2" slats and glue them together. When you have the surfaces smoothed and ready for finishing, wipe the board down with several applications of cooking oil (olive oil is best, but expensive) to saturate the pores. This will prevent the wood from soaking up juices from the foods and prevent cross-contamination of foods. Seal the board with a food-grade varnish or polymer.

Answer 2

Hickory Cutting Board

Answer 3

wood is nice to look at, but it is a porous substance and a breeding ground for bacteria, I made several good cutting boards out of corion. I got scraps from a counter top contractor. A little router work and light sanding was all it took. Cleans up really easily and will outlast the wood by a long shot.
If you are going to go wood, make sure you get a mineral oil to treat it with. and use bleach after each use to prevent rapid bacteria growth.

Answer 4

Hi,
I would use Rubber wood, no its not a joke!, it is very hard, but you must still make it from End grain timber, in blocks , so you cut from on the end of the grain, the glue must be waterproof, and synthetic, and the blocks should be framed in heavy wood , the whole thing must be planed flat and sanded, then use a caninet makers Steel (scraper) to finish.
Mine has lasted 18 years or so.

good luck Paul H

Answer 5

Many of the answers bring out the downside on wood. But it is pretty enough, especially when it's new.

I like plastic myself -- lightweight, machine washable, resistant to scratches, cheap, expendable.

But you may want to consider material similar to that used in high-end counters. I'd then recommend quartz -- scratch resistant, low maintenance, and attractive.

I wouldn't recommend granite because it requires sealing. I'd definitely stay away from Corian and any solid material that scratches easily.

But, what the hey. If you like wood, go with wood.

Answer 6

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Along with stone, mud and animal parts, wood was one of the first materials worked by early humans. Microwear analysis of the Mousterian stone tools used by the Neanderthals show that many were used to work wood. The development of civilization was closely tied to the development of increasingly greater degrees of skill in working these materials.

Answer 7

Use maple if you can find it. If you have woodworking tools and clamps of course, as maple doesn't come in really wide cutting board lengths.
Pine is way to soft for a cutting board, as is redwood.

Answer 8

I believe bamboo is the best. You can put it in the dishwasher and it doesn't have large open grain for bacteria to grow.


I have a bamboo one from Pampered Chef and it is awsome.

Answer 9

Hickory is your best bet remember using wood a cutting block will retain 99%of food born bacteria try granite or corian go to any counter top store they will have remnant pieces to buy or they might give it to you

Answer 10

Oak or hickory. Anything else is going to be too soft.