Are You Using the Right Cutting Board? Wood vs Plastic (and When to Toss It Out)
Cutting boards are one of the most-used — and most-neglected — tools in the kitchen. Whether you’re slicing onions, prepping chicken, or chopping herbs, using the wrong board (or a dirty one) can ruin your food or even make you sick.
Let’s break down wood vs plastic, when to use each one, and how to keep your boards clean and safe.
🌳 Wood Cutting Boards: Pros and Cons
Best for: veggies, bread, fruit, cooked meats
✅ Pros:
Naturally antimicrobial (yep, for real!)
Gentle on your knives
Looks beautiful on camera or countertops
🚫 Cons:
Not dishwasher safe
Needs regular oiling
Can warp if left wet
🔪 Pro Tip: Use for produce, herbs, and cooked meat — not raw chicken or seafood.
♻️ Plastic Cutting Boards: Pros and Cons
Best for: raw meat, poultry, seafood
✅ Pros:
Dishwasher safe
Lightweight and cheap
Easier to sanitize
🚫 Cons:
Knife marks trap bacteria
Stains and warps over time
Harsher on knives
🔪 Pro Tip: Keep a separate plastic board just for raw meats — preferably color-coded so you never forget.
🔥 When Should You Replace Your Cutting Board?
If your cutting board looks like it’s been through a war, it’s probably time.
🚩 Toss it if:
It has deep grooves you can’t clean
It smells funky even after washing
It warps or doesn’t lay flat
It’s stained and greasy-looking no matter what
🧼 How to Clean Your Boards (the Right Way)
For plastic:
Hot water + soap + dishwasher (top rack)
Occasionally sanitize with vinegar or diluted bleach
For wood:
Hand wash only — never soak!
Sprinkle with kosher salt or baking soda, then scrub with lemon
Let air dry standing up
Oil with food-grade mineral oil once a month
📊 Wood vs Plastic Quick Guide
FeatureWood BoardPlastic BoardKnife-friendly✅ Yes❌ Not as muchDishwasher safe❌ No✅ YesBest for raw meat❌ No✅ YesNeeds oiling✅ Yes❌ NoStain-resistant❌ No✅ Somewhat
👨🍳 Final Thoughts
The best kitchen setup? Both.
Use wood for everything that isn’t raw meat, and keep a plastic board just for meats and fish. Clean them properly, rotate them often, and don’t be afraid to toss one out when it’s past its prime.
👇 Popular Recipes That Start with a Good Cutting Board:
🔍 FAQ
Is wood or plastic cutting board more sanitary?
Surprisingly, wood can be more sanitary if maintained properly. But plastic is better for raw meat because you can bleach and sanitize it more easily.
Can I use the same board for meat and veggies?
Nope. That’s how you get cross-contamination. Use separate boards.
