For almost every meal, something has to be chopped at some point. Because of this, cutting boards are a staple of nearly every kitchen. They are one of the few pellet grill accessories that you can also use in non-barbeque scenarios. You can slice everything from carrots to apples and veggies on these boards, which is why they are a must-have for every kitchen.
Usually, wooden cutting boards are made from dense woods like maple or walnut. That is to prevent the permeation of water into the board, which will breed bacteria. But since we became able to turn bamboo from a round shape to a flat one, bamboo cutting boards have become popular.
Table of Contents
Why Are Bamboo Cutting Boards Popular?
More chefs and kitchens are turning towards bamboo as the choice material for bread boards. There are a lot of reasons for this.
- Less bamboo cutting board care is needed: Bamboo naturally resists retaining water. As such, it won’t crack as quickly as other woods. That means that less oil is required to make the board water-resistant.
- They are better for the environment: Bamboo can be quickly replenished after being cut down, thanks to their fast growth and maturation. It takes three to six years for a bamboo shoot to mature enough to be harvested. A maple tree would take over thirty years to get there.
- Bamboo cutting boards are beautiful: Aesthetics is another factor. Many designer kitchens go for bamboo cutting boards thanks to their fine grain and classy modern look.
Bamboo cutting board care is less stressful than many other kinds of wood. However, it still has to be done correctly to ensure the longevity of your board isn’t compromised. You can get a high-quality bamboo board with drip trenches here at Z Grills if you don’t own one. Before you use a maple bread board, you should treat it first. It is no different with bamboo. We’ll show you how to do it the right way.
How to Treat A New Bamboo Cutting Board
Every new bread board comes with the expectation that it will last long. But without proper bamboo cutting board care, you can kiss those dreams goodbye. You’ve made the right choice by buying a bamboo cutting board for your BBQ tools set. Now, we’ll make sure you don’t regret it.
The first step in bamboo cutting board care is treating or seasoning the wood. This creates a coating of oil that will repel water, as we all know that water is the enemy of wooden cutting boards.
- Choose your oil
You need to choose the oil with which to coat the board. You can use food-safe mineral oils, produce-based ones like olive oil, or you could use spoon butter. Spoon butter is a mixture of beeswax and mineral oil.
- Apply the oil
Use a clean cloth to rub your oil all over the board. Try to cover all the areas that might come in contact with water, even the sides, and feet.
- Let it sink In (and repeat)
It will help if you let the oil sink into the wood overnight. If you used spoon butter, one coating should be enough. But for mineral and plant-based oils, you would need a few more coats. Try not to put too much at once.
When you’re done, your board should repel water with ease.
How to Clean A Bamboo Cutting Board
When you use your board, grime and dirt might collect on it, which wouldn’t be ideal. That is why bamboo cutting board care includes washing it. It would help if you did this by scrubbing the board down with hot soapy water or a dilute bleach solution. You should probably do this in your sink to avoid making a mess.
After washing, you shouldn’t let the water stay on it. Instead, pat it off with a clean cloth, and lean it out to dry. Remember that putting it into the dishwasher is not an option. Your board will not survive it.
How to Remove Stains from Bamboo Cutting Board
While using your sweet new board, you might gather some stains. This easily happens when you cut fruits like beets or berries or acidic ones like tomatoes or citrus fruits. You can rest easy, though. Bamboo cutting board care includes stain removal. All you need is salt, some water, and a toothbrush.
- Apply some water to the stained area.
- Rub some salt on that area and let it stay overnight. That might help draw out the stain.
- If that doesn’t work, mix Kosher salt and water to get a paste.
- Use this paste and a toothbrush to scrub the area. If the stain resists, you can use sandpaper to remove it.
Let the board dry once the stain is gone and season it again.
What Oil Do You Put on Bamboo Cutting Board?
The oil options for these pellet grill accessories are plenty, but making your choice is tricky. We’ve mentioned mineral oils a few times, but many people doubt that they are healthy. However, food-safe mineral oil manufacturers go to great lengths to make their products safe. Plus, the FDA regulates them. You can rest easy.
If you’re not convinced, you could always go for produce-based biodegradable oils. These may be the healthier options, but they spoil over time. So, you’d have to keep track of that. You should also avoid using nut-based oils, as they may cause allergic reactions to the food being prepared. You’d be better off with olive oil instead.
Storage Tips to Bamboo Cutting Board
Storage is tricky for bamboo boards, as the wrong decision may leave them warped. There are, however, a few tips to note while making your decision.
- Avoid Humidity: This means that your bread board should not be left near the sink or anywhere that there might be water.
- Avoid Heat: Water is bad, and heat is terrible too. Please keep it away from the stove, as heat can dry it and make it warp and splinter.
- Don’t Lean Or Stand The Board: If your bamboo cutting board is left standing for a long while, it may bend or warp. You could keep it lying flat at all times.
- Don’t Leave Them At The Bottom of A Pile: When you don’t have vegetables to cut, the board usually finds its way to the bottom of a pile. That might be okay for a meat cutting board, but a bamboo board may not survive that stress.
With these tips in mind, the best option would be to hang the board up. Make sure it is far from water and heat sources, and you’ll enjoy your cutting for a long while.
How Often Should You Replace Cutting Boards?
Once you notice your cutting board has gotten too worn to clean properly, you should change it. Deep grooves are breeding spots for bacteria. These germs can contaminate your food and cause harm. When that happens is subjective. Depending on your bamboo cutting board care, you should be able to squeeze four to seven years of use from it. But heavy usage might make you change it quicker than expected.
Getting separate boards for meat and vegetables would increase their lifespan. Some sharp knives will help them last longer too.
Final Thoughts
Bamboo bread boards are an excellent tool to have in every kitchen. They are durable, sustainable, and give your kitchen a modern look. You could always get one from us at Z Grills. Our online store offers the best pellet grills and BBQ tools sets. Make an order and get it at your door within three to eight business days to get grilling as soon as possible. Try out one of our products; we’ll await your second order.
