Cutting boards are an essential tool in every kitchen. It is used as a surface wherein you can properly and safely chop or cut different ingredients like your meats and vegetables. It is necessary to maintain the condition of your counter.
Cutting boards come in a wide variety of thicknesses, shapes and sizes to fit a variety of different preparation and storage needs. It can be made from different materials. In this article you will be taught all about wood cutting boards. Keep reading to learn how to make wood cutting boards and how to care for it so it can last longer.
Benefits of Wood Cutting Boards
Wood cutting boards are strong, durable and sturdy compared to those that are made from other materials like plastic. This type of board can last a long time. Wood is also known to have natural antibacterial properties so it is more sanitary. And because it is a hard material, it is not easily scratched so dirt and germs will not easily stay inside the cuts made by knives. Wood is also gentle on your knives. It doesn’t do damage on your other kitchen tools when cutting against the surface.
Aside from being functional, it also adds an aesthetic value to your surroundings. If you don’t want to use your wooden cutting board as a surface to cut on, you can use it as a serving platter for cold cuts and cheese, hang on the wall as a display, or use to decorate alongside your table setting for gatherings. You can also customize it by painting, adding stickers or flowers. And you can give the boards to your loved ones for a personalized gift.
Making Wood Cutting Boards
Here are the steps on how to make wood cutting boards.
Materials/Supplies
- Hardwood scraps or new hardwood boards
- Mineral Oil
- Beeswax & Oil Blend
- Wood Glue
- Glubot
- Glue brush
- Sandpaper
Tools
- Miter Saw
- Tablesaw
- Sander
- Planer
- Clamps
- Router
- Roundover bit
- Chisel
Instructions
- Lay out the pieces of wood. Decide how you want your board to look and arrange the pieces accordingly.
- Glue the pieces using your preference of wood glue brand. Apply a bead of glue along one side of center piece of wood. Quickly spread glue with a fingertip then lay it flat and butt against right-side piece. Apply glue to right side of left piece, spread with fingertip and butt against left side of center piece. Make sure edges are lined up. Repeat this step with other pieces of wood. You can also use a glubot bottle and glue brush when spreading the glue for a cleaner and faster application.
- Clamp boards in place using two pipe clamps to press them together and four bar clamps to make sure joints are straight. s Using a damp rag, wipe away any glue that squeezes out. Allow the board to remain clamped for several hours or overnight.
- Once the glue has dried, remove the wooden cutting board from the clamps. Scrape off excess dried glue with a chisel, working gently to avoid marring the wood. Repeat this on all seams.
- Pass each side of the board through a planer. Repeat this step until the wood is smooth on each side.
- Use a saw to cut the ends to get the size you want. If you want to decorate or customize the shape of your board, use a round over bit in a router along the sides.
- Use a sander to sand down the sides of the board and the edges to soften corners. Repeat sanding process with sandpaper. Make sure that all dried glue is sanded off before moving on to the next step.
- Thoroughly rub entire cutting board with several coats of a food-safe finish like mineral oil, walnut oil or beeswax, allowing oil to fully absorb into the wood. Reapply until you get the desired sheen.
- Dry overnight before use.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Wood Cutting Board
A wood cutting board can easily be washed by hand. How to make wood cutting boards is easy but always remember, do not wash your cutting board inside the dishwasher. This can damage your board by causing it to crack and warp. These dents could become a breeding ground for bacteria which can cause different foodborne illnesses. Just run your board under hot water and use dishwashing soap. Rub with sponge. Rub harder on areas where there are scratches. Do this for both sides of your board.
After using raw meat or poultry on the board, you can soak the board with bleach for a few minutes to make sure that it is free from bacteria.
If you prefer an all-natural cleaning product you can use vinegar with water. Soak the board for a few minutes.
Once a month, it is ideal to give your board a deep cleaning. This is a cheap and easy method to maintain your board. Sprinkle your board with salt and use the half of a lemon to scrub down all over the board.
For every method of cleaning, it is important to thoroughly rinse with hot water and dry the board in an upright position to allow the water to drip out.
After cleaning and drying your board, apply oil to maintain smoothness, avoid cracking, dryness, and warping of the wood cutting board, and replenish the sheen and shiny look after using. Apply the oil to every side and surface. Buff the oil using a sheet of tissue paper. Allow the oil to soak into the wood overnight.
More Tips For Wood Cutting Board
- Purchase wood boards from a mill or cabinet shop rather than a hardware store to ensure your cutting board material has been cut precisely.
- Get wood boards that are the same thickness to make assembly easier.
- Carefully think about how you want your wood cut board to look and how you will position the places. Once the pieces are glued together, you can no longer fix it.
- Use small pieces of parchment paper under clamps prevent clamps from sticking to glue and wood.
- Make sure that all excess glue is removed before applying oil on to the board.
- Always rinse with hot water and dry your board in an upright position. Let the water drip from the board so it doesn’t settle inside the wood where it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Completely dry the wood cutting board before storing.
- To maintain the beautiful look of the board, routinely apply oil on each side and surface. Remember to use food-safe oil.
Conclusion
That’s how to make wood cutting boards. A wood cutting board is durable, sanitary, and beautiful to look at. Enjoy preparing ingredients for your meals on your new board. Always remember to apply the necessary steps when caring for your cutting board so it can last a long time. Share the same joy with loved ones as well when you give them their own wood cutting board that you made with love.