How to Care for a Bamboo Cutting Board
Bamboo cutting boards are emerging as an alternative to plastic or other woods due to their sustainable design. According to the American Bamboo Society (ABS), bamboo is technically considered a grass, and it grows very quickly. As a result, bamboo is considered a more eco-friendly material for wooden cutting boards, since it does not require the cutting down of trees or forests. Caring for your bamboo cutting board is easy, but you will need to follow a few steps to ensure your board remains like new. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Dishwashing detergent Dish towel Mineral oil Cloth White vinegar Bleach
Instructions
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Wash your bamboo cutting board with hot waster and dishwashing detergent after each use, and rinse it thoroughly with water. Do not put the cutting board in the dishwasher or immerse it in water.
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Dry your board gently with a dish towel after washing it, rather than letting it air-dry. Don't let water sit on your bamboo cutting board for long periods of time, because it can shorten the lifespan of the board.
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Apply food-grade mineral oil to your board at least once a month to prevent it from drying out and cracking or splintering. Make sure the mineral oil is listed as food-grade, or purchase an oil designed specifically for bamboo cutting boards. Apply a small amount of the oil to a cloth and apply it to your cutting board. Leave the oil on the board for 2 to 3 hours to allow it to be absorbed into the wood. After that time has passed, use a clean cloth to remove any excess oil that remains on the board.
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Do not use your cutting board as a resting place for hot pans or baking sheets. The heat may not damage the board right away, but over time, it can cause your board to dry out. Dry bamboo cutting boards are susceptible to cracking.
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Remove stains from your bamboo cutting board by applying a small amount of white vinegar to the board. Rinse the board thoroughly with water after applying the vinegar, and dry it with a towel.
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Sanitize your bamboo cutting board with a bleach solution after you use it for cutting raw meats, poultry or fish. The FDA recommends diluting 1 tsp. of bleach into 1 quart of water and using this solution to rinse the board. After applying the beach solution, rinse the board with water and dry immediately. Bleach can be very drying for bamboo cutting boards, so you may want to apply mineral oil more than once a month if you frequently use the board for raw animal products. You can also reserve a plastic cutting board for raw meats or poultry and save your bamboo cutting board for other food items.
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Tips & Warnings
If your bamboo cutting board does start to show tiny cracks, it is best to replace it or be very persistent about sanitizing it regularly. Cracks in cutting boards can be breeding grounds for bacteria, and that is something you don't want anywhere near your food.
