Wooden cutting boards have long been a kitchen mainstay, but with the rise of bamboo as a sustainable wood product, they are rapidly becoming the finest cutting boards for anything other than meat.
Water, heat, detergents, and time may all wreak havoc on your bamboo cutting board.
Consider the following procedures and directions to safeguard and care for your board to ensure that it lasts for many years and does not dry out, splinter, fracture, or warp due to overexposure to water.
Contents
- How To Treat A New Bamboo Cutting Board
- How To Clean A Bamboo Cutting Board
- How To Sanitize Wood Cutting Boards
- How To Remove Stains From Bamboo
- How To Season A Bamboo Cutting Board
- Final Thoughts
- FAQs
- What kind of oil do you use on a bamboo cutting board?
- Do you have to oil bamboo cutting boards?
- How long should you keep a bamboo cutting board?
- Can you use vegetable oil on bamboo?
- Is olive oil good for wood cutting board?
- How do you pre treat a bamboo cutting board?
- What can I use instead of mineral oil for a cutting board?
- What is the best oil for a cutting board?
- How do you clean and sanitize a bamboo cutting board?
How To Treat A New Bamboo Cutting Board
First and foremost, congrats on your new cutting board! You must first begin the seasoning or sealing process before you can utilize it. To begin, you’ll need food-safe mineral oil and a clean towel.
Avoid getting your new board wet, especially if it isn’t sealed. Coat the board with mineral oil that is food-safe. Use a nut-based oil sparingly since it may cause an allergic reaction to the food you make on your board.
Some people are concerned about mineral oil and would want to use a vegetable-based oil instead.
Many produce-based oils, such as coconut oil, tree nuts, and even olive oil, may become rancid with time.
Not only is food grade mineral oil a fantastic sealer for your bamboo cutting board, but it will also help you prevent a ruined coating of oil on your board, which can affect the food you cook and produce an unpleasant stench in your house.
To avoid your bamboo cutting board from drying out, splitting, or warping, treat it once a month.
How To Clean A Bamboo Cutting Board
Bamboo is a long-fibered plant material that absorbs water quickly. Never soak or put your bamboo cutting board in the dishwasher.
Your board may stretch, twist, and splinter in very damp circumstances.
Instead, use a mild soap and water mixture to clean the board. Avoid using a degreasing soap whenever possible, since this will remove the conditioning moisture you added when you oiled the board. Castile soap is quite mild and will efficiently clean your board.
If you handle or prepare raw meat in your kitchen, it is usually a good idea to use two distinct cutting boards.
Cleaning standards for a board in touch with raw meat, such as using bleach or very hot water, can harm your bamboo board.
Instead, use a silicon board for any food that will need to be thoroughly cleaned.
Not only can you quickly throw this in the dishwasher for sanitary purposes, but you can also acquire these boards in a number of colors to make it simpler to remember which board is okay for meat and which isn’t.
How To Sanitize Wood Cutting Boards
As previously discussed, it is advisable to avoid exposing your board to the risks of raw meat.
However, for basic antibiotic cleaning, you may disinfect your board with a weak vinegar solution.
To destroy germs, combine one part vinegar and one part water and massage it over the board’s surface. You may simply combine this in a spray bottle and have it on hand for when you’re done cooking.
As a disinfection for your cutting board, experts suggest a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.
Unfortunately, this cannot be stored in a spray bottle and must be poured immediately onto the board and wiped away. Once the bamboo has fully dried, prepare to re-oil your board.
How To Remove Stains From Bamboo
It’s surprisingly simple to dye your bamboo cutting board with beets or berries. Also, acids contained in citrus fruits or tomatoes might damage your board’s oiled surface.
Cleaning materials such as salt, water, a toothbrush, and bamboo cutting board oil are recommended by experts.
- Dampen the surface of the board with plain water
- Allow the discolored area to soak in salt overnight.
- The salt may attract the staining fluids of the thing you were chopping.
- If not, make an abrasive paste using kosher salt and water.
- Scrub the stain with this paste using a toothbrush.
- Wash the board with mild soap and warm water after each salt application.
- If the stain persists, rub it away with fine sandpaper.
- Immediately re-oil the board
It’s also worth noting that your board will most likely darken with time. Berry stains must be removed, but keep in mind that as you use your board, the surface may change from a light blonde wood to a darker brown.
How To Season A Bamboo Cutting Board
Seasoning your cutting board, like seasoning cast iron, takes time and may be readily undone by careless handling. A single trip through the dishwasher may severely destroy your bamboo cutting board.
Get into a regular oiling regimen with the board if feasible. Once a month, coat it with food-safe mineral oil. Set the board flat so the oil may sink into the surface.
Examine the board for indications of warping or splitting as you apply the oil. Knife scars are natural and may even be appreciated as a reminder of how much fun it is to cook on your board.
If you observe a hollowing or bowl form on the board, alter your storage options so it can rest flat.
If you see any warping, do not try to flatten the board with weight. The fibers twisted gently into a warped state and will recover to a flat state eventually. Keep the board lubricated to prevent splintering and allow it some time.
Bamboo Cutting Board Oil
Mineral oil may seem to be a bad choice in a healthy kitchen. Food grade mineral manufacturers, on the other hand, must go through certain hoops in order to market their food safe oils and greases.
It should also be remembered that food grade mineral oil has been available for a long time and has been used as a laxative for centuries.
For an edible quality of food grade oil, look for a product that has USP (United States Pharmacopeia).
Finally, unlike nut or grain-based oils, this oil is exceptionally stable and will not decay over time.
While using a biodegradable oil may seem to be a healthier alternative, keep in mind that the bio-degrading process may be extremely unpleasant. Nut oils, olive oils, and other similar oils may become bad over time.
Storage Tips
Bamboo is a plant with long fibers. If you leave your cutting board out for an extended period of time, it may stretch or warm. Lay it flat in a cabinet or drawer whenever feasible so you can quickly reach it and utilize it.
Keep it away from the stove, since heat might cause it to dry up. This is especially noticeable if the board is exposed to heat and is seldom moved; one edge may splinter or dry out and distort.
Finally, don’t put your bamboo cutting board at the bottom of the cabinet stack.
Unfortunately, in this case, out of sight, out of mind. It may get neglected, dry out, and break beneath the weight of whatever is heaped on top of it. Keep it close at hand and put it to use!
Final Thoughts
As the world of kitchen items becomes more dishwasher and microwave-safe, a new tradition of simpler products like bamboo cutting boards emerges.
If you leave young chefs alone to clean up after using your bamboo board, it may wind up in the dishwasher and meet a terrible end.
Keep the bamboo cutting board in a level place, and try not to overcrowd it so that air can circulate around it. Finally, keep it handy so you can use it whenever you’re prepping vegetables!
FAQs
What kind of oil do you use on a bamboo cutting board?
Food-safe mineral oil or any other prepared board oil or cream will be required. If you don’t have any of them, you may use coconut oil. However, this is the only cooking oil that may be used on cutting boards.
Do you have to oil bamboo cutting boards?
A wood or bamboo cutting board, like a cast-iron pan, must be seasoned before use. When you season a board, you’re putting down a protective layer of oil or wax that repels water and keeps it from being absorbed by the board.
How long should you keep a bamboo cutting board?
Bamboo cutting boards can last a lifetime if properly cared for, but it is just one of the reasons why people like them.
Can you use vegetable oil on bamboo?
Bamboo should not be treated with cooking oils such as vegetable, olive, coconut, or walnut oil. They will quickly become rotten. As a consequence, bamboo cookware smells awful. And imparts a disagreeable flavor and odor to any meal with which your bamboo kitchen products come into touch.
Is olive oil good for wood cutting board?
Never use olive oil, maize oil, or sunflower oil to preserve a cutting board or butcher block. These oils undergo rancidification, which results in a foul odor and an unpleasant taste. Substances that may become rancid should be avoided when a cutting board comes into contact with your meal.
How do you pre treat a bamboo cutting board?
Warm approximately 12 cup of food-grade mineral oil in a pot on the fire to season. It doesn’t have to be hot–just heated enough to penetrate the pores of the bamboo. Pour the oil over a dry cutting board and massage with a clean cloth in a circular motion (think Karate Kid).
What can I use instead of mineral oil for a cutting board?
If you don’t want to use mineral oil, you may substitute beeswax, beeswax-based board cream (which is often a combination of beeswax and mineral oil), or fractionated coconut oil.
What is the best oil for a cutting board?
Mineral oil for cutting boards is the finest choice for caring for your wood cutting board and preventing it from absorbing water. Just be sure you use mineral oil that has been labeled as food-safe or food-grade.
How do you clean and sanitize a bamboo cutting board?
Because bamboo is softer than wood, scrubbing is unnecessary; instead, use a microfiber cloth and warm water to remove food residue. Quickly clean your bamboo cutting board with dish soap and warm water. Warm water should be used to rinse. Using paper towels, pat it dry.