Moving on from Plastic Cutting Boards

When customers ask, “Do you sell plastic cutting boards?” The short answer is: not anymore. We no longer carry plastic cutting boards at Toque Blanche, and here’s why:

1. Plastic cutting boards dull your knives.

Over time, plastic boards wear down the edge of your blades, making your knives dull faster. A sharp knife is safer and more effective in the kitchen, so we recommend wood or composite cutting boards which are gentler on your tools. With so many of our customers investing in high-quality cutlery — including Shun, Wusthof, Messermeister, and Kikuichi — we think it best to pair these blades with materials that will do the least amount of damage to your knives over time. 

2. Plastic cutting boards can harbor more bacteria.

Studies have shown that bacteria can survive and multiply in the various knife grooves and crevices created in plastic boards. In comparison, wood has natural antibacterial properties, and composite boards are both durable and dishwasher-safe. Tests have shown that wooden and composite cutting boards are easier to keep clean and pose a lower risk of cross contamination when cleaned properly in between use.  

Best Practices for Cutting Boards: 

Have a few on hand! Select a board that is exclusively for raw meat, poultry, and fish. Use a separate board for vegetables, fruit, and bread. If you’re sensitive to strong smells, some folks have a separate board just for onions and garlic. The goal is to prevent cross-contamination — and that starts with proper cleaning between uses. 

When your wood cutting board looks dry, condition it with mineral oil to prevent cracks and crevices that harbor bacteria. 

Cutting Board Product Recommendations: 

If you're in the market for a new cutting board, we’re happy to help you choose one that will protect your knives — and your health! We recommend:

Sterling End-Grain Cutting Boards — crafted from a variety of hardwoods, built to last, requires occasional oiling, hand wash only.

Epicurean Composite Cutting Boards —  a natural look and texture made from a paper composite material, these boards are durable, knife friendly, and dishwasher safe.

JK Adams Carving Boards — crafted from maple wood, built to last, requires occasional oiling, hand wash only. 

Sterling Wood Bee’s Oil Wood Conditioning Oil and JK Adams Butcher Block Mineral Oil

Plastic is on the Chopping Block

In our search for quality kitchenware for our Toque Blanche customers, we take into consideration quality, durability, safety, aesthetics, and value. The health and safety of our customers is important to us, as is stocking reputable items that we know are non-toxic and safe to use. 

Microplastics are an increasing concern in the culinary community, and we believe it is important to find out exactly how safe your daily-use items really are — from cutting boards and frying pans to cooking utensils and food storage containers. 

Read more in our blog posts The Truth about Black Plastic Utensils and Where we Stand on Nonstick Cookware.