You can find cutting boards made out of a wide variety of materials - each one has its own pros and cons. Some of the most commonly used materials include:

Technically, a chopping board is reserved for cutting food up in the kitchen while a serving board, or serving tray, is the platter that you will serve the sliced food on and bring to the dining room. However, wooden chopping boards are aesthetically beautiful and can easily double as cutting boards and cheese boards. They add a rustic charm to the table when using them to display bread, cheese, cold meats and other nibbles. Additional features to look out for when buying a chopping board Face grain - This is the outside of the wood and is commonly used for surfaces as it holds the most beauty. Face grain chopping boards mark more easily and are not recommended for heavy cutting and chopping tasks. The kiln-dried process that our chopping boards go through ensures that they are ideal for interior use and will have minimal further movement in the future. Your chopping board will come hand sanded to a smooth finish and will be sent with a food-safe protective Board Butter (a blend of natural beeswax and food-grade oils, all produced and sourced in Wales). Surface area. Consider the size of food you will be cutting on the board and make sure it comfortably fits on the board you have chosen and doesn't hang over the edge.Glass - Glass kitchen boards are non-porous and won't absorb liquids. They're also lightweight, chip-proof and look elegant. The through and through boule is a traditional method of timber production, and is how the sawn boards that are used to make these are converted from the log. Each log is totally unique, each slab is totally unique, each chopping board totally unique. These board will generally be sawn in a way that is called a crown cut.

Plastic - Plastic chopping boards are affordable, dishwasher-safe and do not absorb any juices or water. Available with personalised engraving – any text or font, choose an image or send us your own. These are the perfect gift for birthdays, anniversaries or Christmas.The durability of your board will depend on the quality and how well you care for it. Wooden chopping boards tend to be more durable and can last anywhere between 4-7 years. Plastic boards can last between 1-5 years. If your board has dents, scrapes and cuts, it's best to replace it as they can harbour bacteria. Recommended knives to use on your chopping board Be on the lookout for these extra features to make your chopping board even more suited to your needs. While all the cutting boards on this list are large, some of them are extremely big. When choosing the size best for you, first consider what you will be using it for. “If you are preparing whole fish or large cuts of meat, a large board will keep everything contained, which means you won’t need to break down larger things just to fit a smaller board,” Rubin says. “Ultimately, if you want to work with the freshest fish and meat, an oversized cutting board will give you a lot more room to do so comfortably and successfully.” Also, take into account the size of your countertop and where you plan to store the board (which might be front and center on your counter). You don’t want to invest in a cutting board that won’t fit in your kitchen. If you frequently cut large items of food, buy a chopping board with a wide surface area to accommodate them. We have plenty of large chopping boards up to 50cm in length for slicing meat, bread, fish and more including Joseph Joseph Index Chopping Board set in Graphite. Food safety and cross-contamination

Wooden - A wooden chopping board can be made out of acacia wood, teak wood, oak wood and much more. They're easy on knives, heal naturally, have antibacterial properties and look beautiful. Material. If you tend to cut a lot of meat, a plastic board is more hygienic as it won't absorb juices and breed bacteria. Wooden is best for bread, veggies, cheese and fruit. End grain - This is the end of the board. End grain chopping boards are the most durable and hide knife marks easily while the patterns are unique and unpredictable. Edge grain - This refers to the side of the board. Edge grain chopping boards are tough and soak up less moisture, making the upkeep of these boards easier. Is it easy to clean? Hygiene is paramount when using and maintaining chopping boards. While wooden cutting boards require board oil to maintain them, a plastic one can be put in the dishwasher.

Food safety and cross-contamination

Think about the types of food you will prepare on the cutting board. While wood is versatile and will last longer (and is antimicrobial, in some cases), it can also be absorptive and transfer flavors from food to food, which hi-soft and plastic won’t do. Plastic is usually dishwasher-safe, while other materials are not. A chopping board, or cutting board, is an essential kitchen tool that's used to make all of your cutting, slicing and dicing jobs easy and mess-free. With so many different types, shapes and sizes to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one will be right for your needs. Before you buy one, consider these factors: The planks are planed and smoothed, cut to size and made square on three sides. The natural waney edge is left on one long side and stripped of bark, two rustic sides are also possible for custom boards. The boards are then sanded, washed to raise the grain, and sanded again. Depending on the timber this step may need to be completed multiple times.

Bamboo - A bamboo chopping board offers many of the same qualities as a wooden board, yet it is harder than teak and will not absorb water or juices. Storage & organisation Furniture Textiles Kitchenware & tableware Kitchens Lighting Decoration Rugs, mats & flooring Beds & mattresses Baby & children Smart home Bathroom products Laundry & cleaning Plants & plant pots Home electronics Home improvement Outdoor living Food & beverages Christmas Shop Shop by room Is it knife-friendly? Your chopping board and knife will need to work in unison. A surface that's too hard can blunt or damage your knife. Softer surfaces are more ideal to maintain the sharpness of knives. This depends on your purpose and type of food. Wooden chopping boards are best for keeping knives sharp and have antibacterial and self-healing qualities. Use them for dry food such as bread and produce. Plastic boards are non-absorbent, dishwasher-safe and budget-friendly. Bamboo boards are hard, durable and won't absorb water or juices.

Benefits of a wooden chopping board