Best Wood for Cutting Boards

Are You Looking for the Best Woods for Cutting Boards?

Let's face it, saying goodbye to your old cutting board and embarking on the journey of building your own is pretty daunting. With all the different types of wood out there, how do you know which one will suit your needs best? Well, don't fret - we've done the research so that you don't have to. Read on to find out everything you need to know about choosing the best wood for your cutting board!

In this article, we will chat about the following helpful topics:

• What is the best wood for making cutting boards?
• What is the best wood glue for cutting boards?
• What is the best oil for wood cutting boards?
• How to buy wood for cutting boards?

What Is The Best Wood For Making Cutting Boards?

The two most popular materials used in making cutting boards are wood and plastic. Even though plastic is more affordable and can be easily sanitized, many people prefer to use wood cutting boards because of their natural beauty and food safety. Here’s a list of the best woods for making cutting boards:

1. Maple

This North American hardwood is one of the most popular choices for making cutting boards due to its strength, durability, and resistance to moisture. It also has a fine grain that makes it ideal for chopping vegetables or other foods without damaging the surface.

2. Walnut

Walnut is another strong hardwood with plenty of character, which makes it great for decorative cutting boards as well as practical ones. Its dark colour and rich grain give it an appealing look, while its closed-grain pattern helps prevent cross-contamination from foods such as raw meat and fish.

3. Cherry

This classic American hardwood has become increasingly popular for use in cutting boards due to its beauty and strength. It’s moderately dense and boasts an attractive reddish hue, making it a beautiful addition to any wood cutting board.

4. Olivewood

Olivewood is a stunning Italian wood that also has natural antibacterial properties. This wood is typically a creamy yellow or brown colour, with incredible, high-contrast streaks of dark brown and black. You will occasionally also see some curl, burl, or wild grain patterns. No two pieces are ever the same! 

 

When it comes to finding the best wood for making cutting boards, there are plenty of options available depending on your needs and budget. Whichever type of wood you choose, make sure to properly finish, clean, and maintain it so that it can last years in your kitchen! That leads us to....

What is the Best Oil for Cutting Boards? 

Our preference for finishing a wood cutting board is applying Honey Bee's Natural Wood Cream. It is a combination of pure beeswax and 100% food-grade mineral oil. This natural wood finish is also great to use on bowls, spoons, countertops, and wooden toys.

Another great option is applying Osmo Chopping Board Oil. This tough and hard wearing finish was designed specifically to use on chopping boards as it repels liquids such as wine, coffee, and fruit juices.

What is the Best Wood Glue for Cutting Boards? 

It's very important that you ensure that your wood glue is waterproof and food safe. Our favourite wood glue is Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue.

How to buy wood for cutting boards? 

Here at KJP Select Hardwoods we offer our wood for cutting boards in 3 different options: Cutting Board Packages, Rough Cut Lumber, and S4S Lumber.

Cutting Board Packages

This option is ideal for those without tools. We have pre-packaged the best woods for cutting boards in a variety of different kits. Our recommendation is to start off with a Hardwood Cutting Board Pack. This kit consists of pre-cut pieces of Maple, Walnut, and Cherry, which are ready for assembly. If you'd like to spice it up a bit, you can explore our Exotic Cutting Board Pack. If you'd like to really get creative, you can mix & match all these pre-cut blanks individually to fully design your very own wood cutting board. 

S4S Lumber

This is a great option for those with limited tools. Boards from this section have already been straightened and flattened, so you just need to cut down to size. 

Rough Cut Lumber

This is the recommended option for those equipped to surface their own lumber. You can save money by going this route! 

Choose Wood for Cutting Boards from KJP

Choosing the right type of wood for your cutting board is an important decision, as it will determine not only its durability but also the safety of the food that you’re preparing. Keep in mind to always clean and oil your cutting board on a regular basis to ensure that it remains safe for use in your kitchen. With so many choices available, you’ll be sure to find the best wood for making your very own cutting board.

 

Buy Hardwood Lumber 

 

Choose Wood for Cutting Boards from KJP

Thanks for reading! Hopefully, now you know exactly what type of wood to look out for when shopping for a cutting board. And if you're ever in Ottawa, we'd love to have you join us at one of our Cutting Board Workshops! 

 

View Our Upcoming Woodworking Classes