Cut Meat On Wood Or Plastic Cutting Board

Wooden cutting boards are more difficult to clean than plastic too.

Cut meat on wood or plastic cutting board.

No matter which wood you choose the biggest problem with most wooden cutting boards is they absorb juices from meats. I usually use plastic for raw meat but for any other cutting my favorite board material is wood says epicurious food editor rhoda boone. 6 1993 edition of science news a fascinating article on cutting boards describes research claiming that wooden cutting boards possess some sort of bacteria killing properties thus making them less likely to contaminate food than plastic or acrylic cutting boards pathogens prefer plastic the article declares. First what are you cutting.

Food safety organizations usually. You shouldn t put them in the dishwasher nor should you leave them to soak since extended exposure to water and high heat will pretty much guarantee a short life for the board. And if your cutting board starts to look weathered and or develop knife cuts or grooves. Recent research however shows that a wood cutting board is no more likely than a plastic one to harbor harmful bacteria.

So it s fine to use either as long as you follow a few basic rules. Because of how you wash them. Then rub it dry with a clean cloth and leave it to air dry completely. A plastic cutting board also doesn t have to be as large as your pretty and everyday wood cutting board a medium sized board will only set you back about 15.

Why use plastic cutting boards for meat. More work to clean. Plastic and wood have different characteristics so you have to handle them differently. If you use a wooden board for cutting meat scrub it with a stiff bristled brush in hot water with a detergent.

There s no definitive rules that dictate that meat goes on plastic vegetables go on wood serrated knives go on plastic butcher s cleavers are for wood etc. Chapman recommends using plastic cutting boards for meat and wood cutting boards for fruit vegetables or any ready to eat foods like bread or cheese. Wood cutting boards are great for vegetables and protein alike just not all protein. If it is particularly bloody or covered in grease wipe it off with kitchen paper and use a paste of salt and lemon juice to scrub it down.

Wood cutting boards may have a slight advantage but whether you use a plastic or wood cutting board you run the risk of contaminating your food if you don t wash them properly between uses. I love my boos block which has grooves to catch any unruly juice. It s more about practicality and food safety than anything. This can lead to dangerous bacteria growth.

A quality wooden cutting board has all the hallmarks of quality woodwork no obvious flaws and a fine finish. Originally published in the feb.