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Chopping Boards and Everything You Need to Know

Read time 8 Minutes

Chopping Boards are essential in every kitchen, offering a stable surface for food preparation, protecting countertops, and ensuring hygiene. However, selecting the right board and maintaining it properly is crucial for optimal performance.

Chopping boards come in a variety of materials, each with unique benefits. Wooden boards are durable and gentle on knives but require regular oiling to prevent drying and cracking. Plastic boards are lightweight, easy to clean, and suitable for raw meats, though they may scar over time. Glass boards are hygienic and visually appealing but can dull knives quickly.

To prolong the life of your chopping board, clean it thoroughly after each use, avoid excessive water exposure, and sanitise regularly to prevent bacteria. Consider factors such as durability, knife-friendliness, and specific cooking needs when choosing a board. With the right care, a high-quality chopping board can serve as a reliable kitchen companion for years.

Types of Chopping Boards

Chopping boards come in a variety of materials, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Understanding these options will help you select the most suitable one for your kitchen. Here at Alliance Online we carry both wooden and plastic chopping boards as these options are the most common and suitable for commercial usage.

Wooden Chopping Boards

Wooden chopping boards are a classic choice and are highly favoured for their durability and aesthetic appeal. They’re made from different types of wood, such as maple, walnut, teak, or bamboo. Some boards are crafted from a single piece of wood, while others are made using end-grain or edge-grain constructions.

Plastic Chopping Boards

Plastic chopping boards are a popular choice due to their affordability and practicality. They are available in a range of colours and sizes, often designed for specific types of food preparation (e.g., raw meat, vegetables).

Colour Coded Chopping Board System

We would highly recommend using a colour-coded chopping board system as it promotes better food safety as separating food types will significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Also the efficiency of the commercial kitchen will improve as well as having a designated board for each food group helps streamline food preparation and ensures a clear workflow in the kitchen. Finally using a visible colour-coded system helps everyone in the kitchen stay aware of proper food-handling practices.

Colour-Coded Chopping Boards
Plastic color-coded cutting boards for different ingredients is a great way of preventing cross-contamination.

The colour-coding system for chopping boards is widely recognised across the food industry, although it’s worth noting that some variations may exist depending on local regulations or personal preferences. Here’s the most commonly followed scheme:

Red – Raw Meat

Use the red board for raw meat such as beef, lamb, pork, or game. Raw meat is a high-risk food for contamination, as it can carry pathogens like E. coli or salmonella. Using a dedicated board prevents these bacteria from spreading to other ingredients.

Blue – Raw Fish and Seafood

The blue board is reserved for raw fish, shellfish, and seafood. Fish can harbour parasites or bacteria that are harmful if consumed without proper cooking, so keeping it separate is essential.

Yellow – Cooked Meat

Once meat is cooked, it should never come into contact with surfaces used for raw meat. Use the yellow board for carving or preparing cooked meat to ensure food safety.

Green – Vegetables and Salads

The green board is designated for vegetables, fruits, and salad ingredients. These items are often eaten raw, making it critical to keep them away from bacteria carried by raw meat or fish.

Brown – Root Vegetables

Root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and parsnips often carry dirt or soil, which can contain harmful microorganisms. Use the brown board for washing, peeling, and chopping these ingredients.

White – Dairy and Bread

The white board is used for dairy products, such as cheese, and for bread. This is to avoid contaminating these ready-to-eat foods with residues from raw or uncooked ingredients.

Purple – Allergen-Free Foods

In professional kitchens, a purple board is often used for allergen-free foods to prevent cross-contact with allergens such as nuts, gluten, or dairy. While less common in home kitchens, this can be useful for households with dietary restrictions or allergies.

The Importance of the Purple Chopping Board

The purple chopping board is a vital tool in allergen-sensitive kitchens, specifically designed to handle food preparation for individuals with allergies. Its distinct colour sets it apart, signalling its exclusive use for allergen-free cooking and minimising the risk of cross-contamination.

Chef using Allergen Free Chopping Board in kitchen

How to properly care for and maintain a Chopping Board

So, now you have your chopping board, the next step is to properly care for it. Chopping boards are an essential tool in every kitchen, but they require proper care to ensure they remain hygienic, functional, and long-lasting. Without regular maintenance, chopping boards can harbour bacteria, develop unpleasant odours, or even warp and crack over time.

Caring for Wooden Chopping Boards

Wooden chopping boards are durable, knife-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing, but they require more care than other materials. Proper maintenance can help them last for years.

Cleaning:

  • Handwash Only: Wash wooden boards with warm, soapy water immediately after use. Avoid submerging them in water, as wood absorbs moisture, which can lead to warping or cracking.
  • Scrub Gently: Use a soft sponge or brush to remove food particles. Do not use steel wool or abrasive pads, as these can damage the surface.
  • Rinse and Dry: Rinse thoroughly to remove soap residue, then pat the board dry with a clean towel. Allow it to air dry completely in an upright position.

Caring for Plastic Chopping Boards

Plastic chopping boards are popular due to their affordability and ease of cleaning. They are lightweight, dishwasher-safe, and often used in colour-coded systems for different food groups.

Cleaning:

  • Dishwasher-Safe: Most plastic boards can be cleaned in the dishwasher, which sanitises them thoroughly using high heat. Ensure your board is labelled as dishwasher-safe before doing so.
  • Handwashing: If washing by hand, use hot, soapy water and scrub the board with a sponge or brush. Rinse and dry completely.

The Chopping Boards We Recommend

Here at Alliance Online we believe that our customers deserve the very best whether that be in service or products we strive to provide the best products we possibly can for each sector. The following are recommendations we would make from our collection of high-quality suppliers.

Wooden Natural Rectangular End Grain Chopping Board

Durable and practical, this wooden rectangular chopping board is brilliant, being large in size allows for multiple ingredients to be prepared at any one time. It will make a wonderful addition to any kitchen.

Wooden Natural Slatted/Crumb Catcher Board

Great for serving tear and share side dishes or warm bread at meals, this crumb catcher bread board is brilliant at preventing a messy tabletop when bread is introduced to the meal.

High Density Chopping Boards

A high-density chopping board is typically made from HDPE or other dense, food-safe plastics. HDPE is a lightweight yet strong material that is resistant to impact, stains, and moisture. These boards are specifically designed to withstand heavy use without degrading, making them ideal for cutting, chopping, and slicing in both commercial and home kitchens.

Low Density Chopping Boards

Low-density chopping boards, typically made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE), are lightweight, flexible, and easy to handle. Their affordability and versatility make them a popular choice for home kitchens or settings where boards are frequently replaced. Ideal for light food prep tasks, these boards offer convenience without compromising functionality, making them an excellent option for everyday use.

Here at Alliance Online we value our customers and believe that the recommendations and suggestions made in this article will provide benefits to any commercial establishment. We work with the very best suppliers in the industry and can ensure you that our range of chopping boards are perfect options for any back of house. For more information on our collection please feel free to call us on 01270 252333 or you can email us at hello@allianceonline.co.uk.

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Chopping Boards and Everything You Need to Know
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Chopping Boards and Everything You Need to Know
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Chopping Boards are essential in every kitchen, offering stable surfaces for food preparation and protecting countertops. However, selecting the right board and maintaining it properly is crucial for optimal performance.
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Alliance Online
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