The 8 Best Wood Cutting Boards of 2024, Tested by Wade Review
If your plastic cutting board is full of knife scratches, impossible-to-clean food stains, or slides around the counter with every chop, upgrading to a wood one could significantly enhance your food preparation experience. Wood cutting boards typically offer more stability and durability, with an added perk: They won’t infuse microplastics in your food. While wood cutting boards are generally a step up from their plastic counterparts, they don’t all perform the same, so it’s important to choose wisely.
“The wood quality used in making the cutting board should be top of your list,” says Kevin Ashton, a professional chef of over 40 years, who shared his best tips with us. “Always stick to hardwood because it is durable and won’t dull your knives.” Additionally, given you’ll be investing in a board that’s designed to last years, it’s also important to choose one that actually aligns with your food preparation habits, whether that’s a large surface area for more food prep space, or a thin board that’s easy to store.
To help you weigh the options, we tested several wood cutting boards over the course of a month, and evaluated them based on their design, durability, and effectiveness in handling various cutting tasks. The ones that made our list cater to a wide range of food prep habits and preferences, ensuring you’ll find at least one that meets your needs. Whether you want to invest in a butcher block for large-scale recipes or a three-piece set to keep ingredients separate, you can rely on any of these tried-and-true options to provide a dependable cutting surface every time you prepare food.
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Unlike traditional wood cutting boards, it’s lightweight and fully dishwashable due to its unique construction.
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It gives off an unusual smell during the first few washes.
The Epicurean Gourmet Series Groove Cutting Board isn’t a traditional wood cutting board, but it still came out on top compared to the other ones we tested. Instead of solid pieces of wood, it’s made of recycled paper mixed with food-safe resin which is then compacted to form an environmentally-friendly wood alternative known as richlite, a paper composite. We were impressed by how well this material held up to knife cuts. For such a durable cutting board, it’s surprisingly thin and lightweight, yet not so light that it slides around the counter during use.
Since it technically isn’t wood, this cutting board doesn’t require any oiling, and it can go in the dishwasher. We did observe a distinct chemical smell when we ran it through the dishwasher, however Epicurean confirmed on its website that this is common and dissipates after three or four washes. Though this smell was off-putting while it lasted, it wasn’t a major concern for us — the raw material used to make the paper composite of this cutting board comes from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified sources. Plus, the manufacturing process breaks down the resin’s volatile organic compounds into harmless substances.
Like many wood cutting boards, this one features a canal that runs along the perimeter, but its uniquely wide design sets it apart. It accommodates not only juices, but also food debris or trimmings. Plus, when ordering through Epicurean website, you also have the option to customize the board with engravings of text or graphics of your choosing for a more personal touch.
Dimensions: 17.5 x 13 x 0.38 inches | Wood Type: Paper composite | Grain: N/A
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![The Epicurean 17.5 x 13 Inch Gourmet Series Groove Cutting Board with sauce on it]()
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PHOTO: Wade Review / Libby Nichols
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![A closeup of the corner on the Epicurean 17.5 x 13 Inch Gourmet Series Groove Cutting Board]()
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PHOTO: Wade Review / Libby Nichols
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![The Epicurean 17.5 x 13 Inch Gourmet Series Groove Cutting Board in a a dishwasher]()
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PHOTO: Wade Review / Libby Nichols
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