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A cutting board has often been called a chopping board. This kitchen utensil has a flat surface. Often they can be found in wood; plastic ; and glass. The glass cutting board is easier to clean than the wood or plastic.

Wood chopping boards have more advantages than disadvantages over the plastic and glass.

Wood is prone to getting shallow cuts on the surface from chopping. Shallow cuts will close up on their own. Wood cutting boards has it's own anti-septic figure. Small pore grained hardwood is the best to purchase when investing in a wood cutting(chopping) board. With a good hard tight grain wood, scoring of the cutting surface and seepage can be reduced. Red Oak is bad in retaining dirt. Washing the red wood don't remove the dirt. Red Wood should be not be purchased as a cutting board.

If tropical wood is used as a cutting board , you should cautious about the toxins and allergens it contains. Bamboo when laminated makes a nice board.

Plastic cutting boards are more prone to suffer from damage of the chopping of knives. Bacteria can form in the tiny cuts made by knives. This can occur enough after you have washed the surface of the cut board. Plastic boards need a complete cleaning with bleach and disinfectants.

Glass cutting board(s) are easier to keep clean .They can also be washed in the dishwasher. Glass cutting boards never wear out. The disadvantage is that glass can damage knives. Glass cutting boards have a slip resistant surface. The edge of knives are quick to become dull. If you are a cook that sharpens your knives , this wouldn't be of a great concern to you.

Sanitation is always important with boards. Bacteria can hide in the smallest groove on a cutting board. Liquids are bad for seepage. This can cause bacterial growth. Always cut your meat on a different cutting board than your vegetables.

Diluted bleach is best for disinfecting your cutting board.

Never place a wood cutting board in a dishwasher. Never leave it submerged in a sink filled with water either.

Preserve your wood cutting board with mineral oil. This helps to prevent seepage into the wood grain. Poppy seed and linseed oil okay to use but contain metallic driers. Vegetable oil or olive oil are not recommended due to smell it can leave on the board and your food.

Cutting boards usually last five to seven years . Proper care involves treating your cutting board when it starts looking dry. This will prevent cracking. If your cutting board becomes very scored ,you may need to have it resurfaced. Wood cutting boards are easily resurfaced with woodworking tools like a scraper or planes. Plastic cutting boards if scored bad should be thrown away and replaced with a new one.

Prepare your goods with caution. Prevent bacteria build up.