Is Oak Good For Cutting Boards?

Everyone needs a cutting board in their kitchen, so everyone must have the best quality cutting board. They come in different shapes and sizes and hence help increase the overall beauty of your kitchen.

In this article, we would be concentrating on the oak wood cutting board; we’ll look at its features and advantages. In the end, we would be able to answer the question; is oak good for cutting boards? Yes, they are. If maintained properly, they can serve you for a long time. Then read on.

What are the advantages of oak cutting boards?

There are different types of materials that are used to construct cutting boards, including wood, glass, and plastic. For cutting boards made of wood, you need to make use of hardwood. This feature is also essential because of how dense hardwood is; hardwoods generally have a higher density than softwoods. They are thus very durable compared to softwood. This is why you need an oak cutting board in your life. Oakwood is a form of hardwood; although not as hard as walnut, it is well able to resist the effects of the knife on your cutting board. Advantages of using oakwood include the following:

Durability

Due to the hardness of the wood, oak cutting boards are durable compared to other wood types. Besides, several other kitchen accessories are manufactured using oak wood.

Regenerative Properties

This is unarguably the most important reason why an oak wood cutting board is popular. The wood structure has regenerative capacity. As a result, they are capable of closing up little scratches that occur during cutting.

Acts as an antiseptic

Yes, you read right. Oakwood has antiseptic properties. This way, they can prevent bacteria penetration while prepping food.

Suitable with your knives

Another fantastic advantage of oak wood is that your favorites knives are safe with them. Unlike some other knives that blunt the edges of your blades, oak wood structure is consistent, and as a result, keeps your knife edges sharp for a long time. Besides, you also don’t have to worry about it breaking while you cut.

Disadvantages of oakwood for cutting board

Although oak wood has fantastic properties that make them unique, some qualities are considered harmful. For instance, the size of their pores is considered too big, especially for red oak. Due to this pore size, bacteria are trapped and retained easily; thus, leading to transfer from the cutting board to the food you are prepping.

Besides, the large pores soak and retain water; this is a not-so-pleasant feature that distinguishes oak wood. However, the impact of this pore size is minimal in white oak. So, you can choose to buy white oak instead of red oak.

Furthermore, you can seal the wood to close up the pores and keep the bacteria out. So the question is, how do you seal up an oak cutting board?

How to seal an oak cutting board?

Sealing is a vital step in the overall management of your cutting board irrespective of the construction material. However, it is a process that must be done regularly on your oak cutting board to keep it safe and healthy. 

You can do this with the use of a sealant; this can be any suitable oil; colorless, odorless, and easy to apply, e.g., walnut, and linseed oil. You would need a cloth (lint-free cotton cloth) to wipe the cutting board, working in circular motions. You would continue rubbing the surface until the oil has been thoroughly applied evenly on all sides of your cutting board. You should repeat this process as often as possible to keep the board in a good, safe condition.

The purpose of sealing an oak cutting board is to help prevent the penetration of bacteria or any element that can result in wood staining. They also keep moisture out of the pores. You must remember that a sealer wears off after some time; hence, you should reseal your cutting board (apply oil) as often as possible; otherwise, the effect wears off.

Besides, you must endeavor to stick to the use of a colorless oil sealant for improving the performance of your oak cutting board. This way, you rest assured that the shade of your board is not tampered with.

Washing Instructions for oak cutting board

Like every other wood board, an oak cutting board requires tender care when it’s time to wash. To do this effectively, follow the instructions below:

• Use warm water; the water should contain soap after which, you need to use a cloth to wipe the board down after use. Ensure you pay special attention to colored spots.
• Avoid using a dishwasher. Oakwood is not friends with heat, so using a dishwasher increases the chances of wood warping. 
• Wipe off moisture from the surface using a dry cloth after washing. For stubborn stains, you should repeat the previous instructions until it leaves completely.

How to maintain an oak cutting board?

Aside from washing, there are certain things to do to ensure your board remains in good condition.

• Washing should be done using delicate cleaning supplies; this prevents the wood from absorbing any form of chemical or water.
• Use a soft cloth to wipe the water after washing or after use.
• Salt and lemon juice can be used to disinfect the board and keep it fresh.
• Sealing procedures should be done as often as possible using colorless oils.
• Do not leave the cutting board in water to soak. This can cause the wood to rot or even warp.

If you follow these instructions carefully and you ensure you wash properly, your oak cutting board is guaranteed to be safe and healthy for use, lasting you for a long time.

Related: Is Bamboo Good For Cutting Boards?

Conclusion

Several schools of thought exist regarding the use of oak cutting board; if it is safe or not. However, most conclude that it’s not safe because of the size of the pore, especially for red oak. But this is not the same with white oak wood. Besides, the sealing procedure helps keep the pores resistant, making the cutting board water-resistant and safe from bacteria infestation.

Consequently, in this article, we have looked at the advantages of oak wood for your cutting board. These advantages include durability, regenerative properties, and the fact that your knives are safe with an oak cutting board. Therefore, to answer the question, is oak good for cutting boards? Yes, they are. If maintained properly, they can serve you for a long time. So, if you need a new cutting board, do not hesitate to get one made of oak wood.