Chopping boards: Nothing boring about these boards!

Everything is smarter these days and that includes the humble chopping board. More than simply a random block of wood, nowadays chopping boards come in a huge range of shapes, sizes and functionalities, and have evolved into a kitchen accessory you will wonder how you ever lived without.

Let’s face it, there’s never enough counter space in your kitchen, and chopping boards act to extend your work surface. They can also be used as a sink cover if necessary (hiding dirty dishes in a pinch). Every home has one—but does every home have one that really complements its kitchen sink and truly helps with food preparation beyond merely providing a surface to chop veggies on?

Chopping Board Designs

Innovative designs have been popping up everywhere, such as chopping boards which are a combined chopping board and serving platter, or those which have inbuilt storage or attached scrap bins. There are chopping boards specially designed to fit to corners, so you can use that extra space you have that is usually unused—perfect for smaller homes.

Some are designed to hold an iPad or a set of knives, others boast colour-coded removable, interchangeable chopping mats. You can even go full OCD and purchase a precision high-accuracy chopping board favoured by chefs, which has measurements and cutting guidelines on it for high level accuracy and attention to detail.

Other chopping boards have been designed as multi-functional over-the-sink chopping board and colander combos. These are space saving and practical, making it easy to rinse food when cooking, without having to go back and forth between sink and counter.

Over Sink Chopping Boards

Over the sink chopping boards have also evolved into integrated sink chopping boards. Most top brands make a chopping board accessory that fits their sink. Top of the range sink manufacturers do charge a hefty price for their integrated sink accessories but down the line, you might be able to pick up a sink chopping board accessory from your sink manufacturer for around $50.
Unique or novelty shaped chopping boards are a good way to add a little fun to your kitchen. We’ve even seen one shaped like a sausage dog, but you can find them in just about every shape you can imagine.

Chopping Board Materials

Chopping boards come in a variety of materials ranging from different kinds of wood to high quality synthetic material or glass. Unusual combinations like mango wood and marble are cropping up, and increasing in popularity these days is the use of bamboo (often carbonised to prevent mould occurring). Reclaimed wood is also a hip choice.

Wooden boards are often considered the best cutting surface for knives. What’s more, hardwoods (acacia, teak, oak) have natural anti-microbial properties. Plastic or synthetics are easier to sanitise than wood, and can be placed in a dishwasher (though hand washing in hot water is not thought to be sufficient to kill bacteria on plastic boards). You can even get eco-friendly, recycled plastics and poly chopping boards. Bamboo is a timber-like material which is renewable and therefore eco-friendly. They are also naturally antimicrobial. Other materials such as glass, slate, marble will blunt knives and are recommended for use as serving platters only.

Sizes

Once you’ve settled on the perfect material, consider the ideal size by measuring up the designated space in your kitchen. Size matters because you want the chopping board to fit its new space! It should also not be too heavy for ease of transporting around the kitchen.

Apart from aesthetics, questions around hygiene and eco-friendliness might influence your choice of chopping board as well. Hardwoods are the least porous so they don’t hold as much bacteria. For wooden boards, regular oiling also maintains your chopping board so that it will repel water and be less likely to harbour bacteria. In all cases, chopping boards should be left to be dry as a whistle before being stored upright.

How Long do Chopping Boards Last?

How long the board will last is also something to consider, and usually depends on how well is has been maintained. Once synthetic boards become too grooved they should be replaced to avoid bacteria nesting in the grooves. Wooden or bamboo boards can be replaced once they start to feel “fuzzy”; if they have grooves but are otherwise OK, re-sanding and re-oiling will restore it to its former glory.

Bespoke Chopping Boards

If you can’t find a sink/chopping board accessory to suit your sink, you could also consider having one made via a counter-top fabricator or carpenter (in fact this is our speciality!). A custom-fit chopping board design means that you can prepare all of your favourite foods right on top of the sink.
When you use a chopping board that has been made to fit your sink, it becomes much easier to use and store. Turning your sink area into a practical and stylish workstation, a customised chopping board that fits over the kitchen sink or draining board will create extra workspace as well as looking modern and streamlined.

Where to Buy Chopping Boards in Sydney

To check out our range of handmade chopping boards or obtain a quote for a custom-fitted chopping board, please click here—and you’ll be chopping, dicing and slicing like a MasterChef in no time!