I do believe that most of us know that we don’t use the same knife to cut fruit right after we’ve used it to cut a chicken. However, I have been amazed at the unsafe usage of cutting boards.
Doing a little research, I came across this information which will help us all to do a little more during “cutting board clean-up”, which will go a long way to ensure our own health and the health of those we love.
Cutting boards, also commonly known as butcher blocks or chopping blocks, are an essential piece of kitchen equipment. Most often used to chop vegetables, meat and fruit, they come in various sizes and materials and are the key to protecting your counter-top, your food and your fingers. Like most utensils, cutting boards require regular maintenance to keep them bacteria-free in and tip-top shape. Here are my tips for the best ways to maintain your cutting boards and the simple steps you can take each and every day to preserve them:
Wooden Cutting Boards:
A wooden cutting board can last for years, even decades, if maintained correctly. Because of woods porous nature it readily absorbs stains and bacteria and needs to be cleaned regularly. Clean your wooden cutting board after every time you use it, especially when you’ve cut raw meat.
If you cut raw meat and then intend to cut vegetables be sure to wash after you’ve removed the meat and before you place any new food or knives on top of the board. Using a stiff sponge, wash the board with hot soapy water that is at least 140ºF in order to dissolve any animal fat. Rinse the board with hot water and dry well. If your board gets a stain from strawberry or raspberry juice, sprinkle the area with a touch of salt and a few drops of lemon juice, rub it well to remove the stain. For severe stains allow the salt to sit for 24 hours before scrubbing it off.
If your wooden board ever gets a nick from a knife, take a piece of sandpaper and rub it with the grain of the wood until it is filed down. Wooden boards should be conditioned at least 5-6 times a year with a solution of beeswax and mineral oil. These mixtures are not expensive and can often be purchased at local kitchen shops or online. Conditioning your cutting board with oil and wax will seal the wood, preventing it from absorbing moisture, odor and harmful bacteria. This will also prevent it from warping and cracking in the long term.
Plastic, Silicone and Rubber Cutting Boards:
High density plastic boards can often be placed in the dishwasher, depending on the manufacturer. Check the label that comes with your board to see if it is dishwasher safe. If you do not want to place your board in the dishwasher simply clean it as you would a wooden cutting board with hot soapy water.
Sanitizing Cutting Boards:
If you should have a wooden or plastic cutting board that is particularly dirty, it can be easily sanitized by using a heavily diluted solution of white vinegar and water. The recommended steps are to dilute 1 c. of vinegar in 5 c. water, pour it on top of the cutting board that is resting in the sink or a plastic bin and allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes. Then rinse the board well with hot soapy water and dry. It is not necessary to sanitize your cutting board after each use but it good to do on a monthly basis.
