How to Find the Best Bamboo Cutting Boards
Cutting boards are made from a variety of materials, but there’s something about a good bamboo cutting board that chefs seem to love. To the untrained cook, a bamboo cutting board is just like every other wood cutting board.
That couldn’t be farther away from the truth. Let’s look at the differences between bamboo and other wood boards, what are the benefits of bamboo, and what products are currently worth the money.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  ROYAL CRAFT WOOD Store Extra Large
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| #2 |  ROYAL CRAFT WOOD Store Bamboo Cutting Board Set
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| #3 |  Farberware Bamboo Cutting Board Set
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| #4 |  Freshware Store Set of 3 Bamboo Cutting Boards
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| #5 |  Traeger Model CCS Bamboo Cutting Board
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| #6 |  Olive’s Kitchen Organic Bamboo Cutting Board Set
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| #7 |  Cookgen Bamboo Cutting Board Set
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| #8 |  PoLe.Craft Life Bamboo Cutting Board
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Benefits of Bamboo Cutting Boards
Due to the numerous benefits of bamboo, it has grown to be quite the popular material for cutting board manufacturing. While bamboo has long been recognized as having numerous advantages over traditional woods, it was only in the last decade that the technology for mass processing bamboo from a round timber to a flat timber became available.
— Eco-Friendly
Bamboo, when harvested properly, is a highly renewable resource. The majority of people are unaware that bamboo is closer to grass rather than a tree, which is suitable given its rapid growth rate.
Indeed, a typical bamboo stalk matures completely within three to six years of being cut for harvest. On the opposing side, maple trees mature over a period of more than 30 years and can live to be over 150 years old.
Due to bamboo’s tolerance for its environment, it is easy to produce and is frequently raised organically due to its simplicity of farming. Bamboo’s rapid growth enables it to be gathered economically, which is why even homeowners and builders have shifted to bamboo due to its exceptional resilience and affordability.
— Low Maintenance & Durable
The most critical aspect of selecting a decent cutting board has always been the wood selection. Traditionally, cutting boards were built of dense woods rather than permeable ones.
It is critical to have solid wood because it keeps out water, a favorable medium for bacteria to thrive. Even with premium wood, cutting boards require routine care with beeswax or mineral oil to prevent warping and cracking.
One of the primary reasons bamboo cutting boards have become so popular is their near-maintenance-free nature due to the wood’s strong density. Bamboo is resistant to water retention and hence does not warp or split as quickly as regular wood.
Having said that, due to the tremendous heat, it is not advisable to place a bamboo board in the dishwasher. Only thicker plastic cutting boards are deemed dishwasher safe due to their overall lack of cracking or warping.
— Aesthetically Pleasing
Thanks to its fine grain and natural light color, many cooks adore bamboo’s natural appearance and modern elegance. Numerous designer kitchens now have huge bamboo cutting boards, as the grain can be regular and homogeneous, lending a sophisticated and pleasant appearance to a trendy kitchen.
Additionally, without the risk of wood scarring, your bamboo cutting board should remain smooth and elegant for an extended period of time. Furthermore, bamboo is resistant to staining, which is frequently a problem with acidic plants and meats.
Bamboo vs. Other Woods for Cutting Boards
Porosity
The size and quantity of pores in the cutting board material is capable of offering information about the cutting board’s health and safety. Natural materials vary in their degree of porosity.
Because the pores are not visible, materials with smaller and fewer pores are referred to as “closed grain” materials. Because the grain is open and the pores are visible to the human eye, materials with bigger pores are referred to as “open grain” materials.
Pores in cutting boards made from bamboo or other types of wood can be a major problem. If your cutting board is not properly cleaned and dried, moisture, food, and germs can become trapped and begin to grow in these pores. Bacterial growth on the cutting board might result in the growth of some toxic and unhealthy mold, destroying the cutting board.
Hardness
Calculating the hardness of a material is straightforward. The majority of materials can be classified according to their pounds-force properties (lbf). Neither wood nor bamboo is an exception. The Janka hardness rating is used to describe the hardness of a substance.
A material with a greater pound-force rating is considered to be harder. The tougher the substance, the more resistant it is to divots and scratching. Cutting boards with a greater pound-force rating or a higher Janka Hardness Rating are more robust and resistant to damage from your knives.
- Bamboo has good hardness, with a rating of 1,410 lbf.
- Beech has good hardness, with a rating of 1,450 lbf.
- Maple has decent hardness, with a rating of 1,180 lbf.
Toxicity
The fascinating thing about cutting boards is that certain types of timbers used to produce them may be hazardous to health. If the wood used to make the cutting board is hazardous, the toxic substances may leach into the food as it is cut.
A decent rule of thumb is that the majority of wood from edible nuts or fruit trees is suitable for use as a cutting board. Other woods that are frequently used as cutting boards but may be hazardous to the meals cut on them include the following:
- Rosewood: Known for its hardness, yet with big pores that allow for leaching into food.
- Pistachio: Irritants that produce allergic reactions and flavor variations in wood.
- Certain walnuts: Allergies and high porosity cause certain varieties of walnuts to leak into food.
- Pine: Leaves a resinous flavor on meals and can leach allergens into the wood, causing allergic reactions.
How to Clean and Care for a Bamboo Cutting Board
The importance of proper care for a bamboo cutting board is crucial for extending its lifespan. By making sure your board is dry and clean, and rubbing it slick with food-safe oil, you are likely to enjoy it for many years to come.
Applying oil on the cutting is another critical aspect of maintenance. After use and washing, rubbing various oils into the board is a good idea and practice. This process keeps the bamboo board supple and less prone to warping, as well as less prone to splinters or signs of wear and tear.
Cleaning the board is pretty straightforward:
- Rinse your cutting board well with a sponge and mild dish soap.
- Rinse the cutting board thoroughly to remove any debris.
- Cut half a lemon and rub it across the cutting board.
- Rinse the board.
- Repeat with the remaining half of the lemon if the bamboo cutting board has severe stains.
- Apply a finishing oil according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
What to Look for in a Bamboo Cutting Board
Type of Grain
Bamboo cutting boards, like wood, are available in edge grain and end grain forms.
Cutting boards produced from edge grain wood are manufactured from wood pieces cut with the grain. This signifies that the board’s top surface is covered in long wood fibers. These types of boards are the most prevalent type of wood cutting board, owing to their low price.
Cutting boards made of end-grain wood are created by fusing wood cross-section pieces together. The board’s top displays the wood’s rings rather than the wood’s length. End grain boards are frequently several inches thick, and due to their construction difficulty; they are almost always more expensive compared to edge grain cutting boards.
Juice Grooves
Grooves are designed to absorb juices produced by cutting vegetables, fruit, meat, and fish. This reduces the amount of mess created during food preparation operations that must be cleaned. On the other hand, surfaces without grooves are easier to clean and can be simply replicated as dishes for serving appetizers and such.
With or Without Handles
Cutting boards with integrated handles can be a minor annoyance. While they are convenient for rapid grabs or hanging for storage, when you cut, food particles can fall into that gap, creating a tiny mess. Because you cannot utilize that area as a cutting surface, a handle effectively reduces the size of your cutting board.
Size
If you cook frequently, keep a variety of cutting boards on hand: a small one for quick tasks such as slicing fruit or cheese, and a large one for larger items such as a watermelon. In general, the more area you have to work with, the more quickly your preparation will progress.
Thickness
If you are tall, purchase a thick cutting board. This elevates your work surface, reducing the amount of time you spend bending over. It’s all about ergonomics and this small detail can make a world of difference in terms of comfort on days when you’re doing a lot of prep.
Best Bamboo Cutting Boards
1. Editor’s Choice: ROYAL CRAFT WOOD Store Extra Large Organic Bamboo Cutting Board
Key Specs:
- Size: 18 x 12 inches
- Thickness: 0.7 inches
- Price Range: $20 – $30
- Best Feature: built-in groove
Designed to be one of the best bamboo cutting boards out there, this XL board comes with a smooth surface, a corner engraving, and the durability you’d expect from one of the most praised cutting board materials out there.
The board’s design features a deep integrated groove to collect any liquid runoff, ensuring that the cutting surface remains clean and tidy at all times. After each usage, hand wash using warm water, dish liquid, and immediately towel dry. Avoid soaking in water and keep bamboo wood objects out of the dishwasher.
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2. Runner Up: ROYAL CRAFT WOOD Store Bamboo Cutting Board Set
Key Specs:
- Size: 15 x 10 inches, 12 x 8 inches, and 9 x 6 inches
- Thickness: 0.6 inches
- Price Range: $20 – $30
- Best Feature: juice grooves
When you’re into serious cooking and would prefer to have bamboo cutting boards of different sizes, a set like this might be perfect for you. All the boards measure 0.6 inches in thickness and have different sizes: 15 x 10 inches, 12 x 8 inches, and 9 x 6 inches.
They’re basically similar to the model we presented earlier, as they all have the manufacturer logo carved in a corner, as well as grooves designed for juices coming from your cut ingredients. Due to the elegance of the bamboo surface, these boards can also be used as serving trays, as long as you find their sizes satisfying.
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3. Customer’s Choice: Farberware Bamboo Cutting Board Set
Key Specs:
- Size: 11 x 14 inches, 8 x 10 inches, 8 x 5.5 inches
- Thickness: 0.75 inches
- Price Range: $10 – $20
- Best Feature: antimicrobial
These bamboo cutting boards include a reversible cutting surface that is ideal for slicing fruit and chopping vegetables. Additionally, these boards can be used to serve appetizers, serve bread, cut pizza, and showcase cheese and cured meats.
With this set, you get three cutting boards of different sizes: 11 x 14 inches, 8 x 10 inches, and 8 x 5.5 inches. All the boards measure 0.75 inches in thickness. They are easy to clean by using regular dish detergent and warm water. Do not wash these in the dishwater.
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4. Best with Handles: Freshware Store Set of 3 Bamboo Cutting Boards
Key Specs:
- Size: 13 x 9.5 inches, 11 x 8.5 inches, 8 x 6 inches
- Thickness: 0.4 inches
- Price Range: $20 – $30
- Best Feature: equipped with handles
The three cutting boards featured in this set are ideal for a variety of food preparation, cutting, and serving tasks. The 13-inch board is ideal for meat chopping. The 11-inch cutting board is excellent for slicing up your favorite fruits and veggies. Additionally, the 8-inch board is ideal for slicing garnishes and serving a variety of delectable cheeses and meats.
These boards are made from natural, sustainable Moso bamboo and are lightweight, robust, and kind to blades. Additionally, the large and medium boards contain a carrying handle that can be hung for storage or for easier transport.
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5. Best Magnetic Back: Traeger Model CCS Bamboo Cutting Board
Key Specs:
- Size: 13.5 x 9.5 inches
- Thickness: N/A
- Price Range: $20 – $30
- Best Feature: magnetic back
Remember that grill brand Traeger that everyone was talking about? Yes, they also make cutting boards as part of their accessory line for grilling, so this is definitely a product that you want to check out. The product page doesn’t give too much info on the product, but that’s what we’re here for.
The Traeger Magnetic Bamboo Cutting Board is compatible with the company’s folding grill front shelves, allowing for easy slicing and dicing prior to bringing it to the table. The magnetic back prevents slippage and always stays on the shelf when it’s folded down. That being said, it’s great to use with your Traeger outdoor grill.
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6. Best Anti-Slip: Olive’s Kitchen Organic Bamboo Cutting Board Set
Key Specs:
- Size: 17.3 x 12.7 inches
- Thickness: 0.6 inches
- Price Range: $20 – $30
- Best Feature: anti-slip pads
This set includes two cutting boards of different sizes, but there is so much more to these products that we want to talk about. Each board comes with an ergonomic handle to provide a good grip whenever you want to grab it or store it.
They have four non-slip grips located next to each of the corners, providing a safer surface to work with even on a slippery kitchen counter. There are juice grooves on both of these cutting boards. They are easy to clean, as all you need is warm water and mild dish soap.
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7. Best Pre-Oiled: Cookgen Bamboo Cutting Board Set
Key Specs:
- Size: 9 x 6 inches, 12 x 8 inches, 15 x 10 inches
- Thickness: 0.7 inches
- Price Range: $20 – $30
- Best Feature: pre-oiled
This is yet another convenient set of three cutting boards, measuring 9 x 6 inches, 12 x 8 inches, and 15 x 10 inches. The chopping boards are made from organic bamboo and have a smooth surface, perfect for preparing your food. Unlike other products, this one comes pre-oiled with food-grade mineral oil.
The juice grooves will prevent liquid from spilling on the countertop. The hook design in the corners makes it easy to hang these if need be. There are also some built-in handles that should allow you to carry them with ease.
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8. Best Thickness: PoLe.Craft Life Bamboo Cutting Board
Key Specs:
- Size: 15.8″X 11.8″
- Thickness: N/A
- Price Range: $10 – $20
When it comes to design, you have to appreciate this PoLe.Craft Life bamboo cutting board looks like. It measures 15.8 x 11.8 inches, plus another 1.2 inches in thickness, being one of the thickest boards we’ve seen so far.
The board features a handle that makes it easy to grip, clean, and hang on the wall if need be. There are also three additional carved pockets, which can be used to store food bits as you cut them. That makes this one of the best cutting boards for serving stuff like fruit, cheese, and crackers.
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The Bottom Line
The ROYAL CRAFT WOOD is one of our most favorite bamboo cutting boards because it offers great value for the price, uses quality bamboo in its construction, and offers everything you need from a good bamboo cutting board. For more tips on choosing the best kitchen utensils, check out our guide to the best kitchen hand towels.
Photo credit: Candice Bell/Shutterstock; tab62/Shutterstock