A common question we get about our wood cutting boards, and wood boards in
general for that matter is, “can I soak my cutting board in the sink or
dishwasher?”
Like all wood, it is not meant to be submerged in water for long, if at all.
Regardless of the size, shape or species of cutting board, they all react to
water about the same. Soaking your wood cutting board can potential cause
issues like warping, mold growth and can also compromise the integrity of the
board strength in the long run, so it’s best not to run your board through the
dishwasher.
What’s the best way
to clean my wood cutting board then?
The best way to clean your cutting board is to get it wet with soap and water,
thoroughly scrub both sides, then do a great job of drying the board. This will
ensure that you are cleaning all germs and contaminants, but also not ruining
the board by submerging it in water.
What happens if I accidentally soak my wood cutting board? Is it ruined?
This is hard to tell. Sometimes, you’ll get lucky and depending on how the
board was built and as importantly, how well the board was taken care of before
the submerging.
Ultimately, boards that were sealed properly will give you more of a lifeline,
should you accidentally get it wet for too long.
What’s the best way to keep my board in good shape?
There are multiple oils and sealers on the market that can help keep your wood
preserved for the long haul. We
recommend something even a step above store-bought sealers, our MHW board
butter.
Our board butter not only helps seal and protect your cutting board or butcher
block for years, but the butter soaks into the grain in a way to help the
beautiful colors pop out and remain rich and appealing.
Most generic cutting boards you find at the store, or even higher end boutique
chains such as places like West Elm for example, all sell “wood cutting boards,”
however it does not take an expert to distinguish between these boards and ones
built from hand.
First off, generic boards generally have a lighter feel, simply due to the fact
that they use cheaper woods, and ones that will cost less to mass produce in a
factory. These same boards may be marketed as “custom,” but people can define
that word differently when comparing a real custom board in the same light.
Grains: Another distinguishing quality in store bought vs custom boards is the
grain quality and patterns. Grain patterns in store bought boards look very
standard, as custom boards usually have a great deal of grain diversity, but
still look cohesive at the same time.
Regardless of a wood cutting board you’d fine at a store, or one you’d find
online like our master MHW boards, all of them require some TLC including proper
care when cleaning. This will lead to many years of great use and enjoyment in
your kitchen.
Cheers!
Wood Cutting Board Store by MHW