Are Rubberwood Cutting Boards Good? 10 Important Tips
Rubberwood, a derivative of the rubber tree, is commonly used for small furniture and minor wood projects. It is a brightly colored, light-weight, medium density hardwood found in tropical regions.
Rubberwood is hardly used in high-end furniture because of its coarse grains. However, it is found in several household utensils such as knife handles, wooden plates, and cutting boards. Rubberwood has several features that make it a top choice for use in kitchen utensils, especially cutting boards.
A cutting board is one of the essential utensils in your kitchen. One can hardly go through a day in the kitchen without needing one. The challenge faced by most families is deciding the best cutting board for their daily needs.
This article explores ten vital tips that would help you know more about rubberwood. With this article, making the best decision about the rubberwood cutting board will be easy.
How are Rubberwood Cutting Board Made?
Rubberwood cutting board is made from processed rubber tree logs.
These logs are harvested from old rubber trees and taken to factories, where they are converted into small household items of furniture, including cutting boards.
The world has come to acknowledge the eco-friendliness of this process because of the volume of carbon emission prevented by the processing of rubber trees into smaller furniture and cutting boards.
Is Rubberwood Cutting Board Toxic?
The first point of concern for every homeowner is the safety of their meals and drinks.
Using a toxic cutting board could spell doom for any family. Rubberwood is not a poisonous piece of wood.
Also, rubberwood usually contains anti-bacterial properties that prevent fungi, molds, and bacteria from culturing on the board.
Rubberwood is perfectly safe for homes and kitchens, unlike blackwood, cashew, black locust, etc.
Is Rubberwood Cutting Board Heavy?
Rubberwood is a medium-density hardwood.
It has an average weight of 37 pounds per cubic foot. Although this weight varies based on many factors, it is considerably lighter than other wood used to produce cutting boards.
Oak weighs about 45 pounds per cubic foot. Maple weighs 40 to 47 pounds per cubic foot; rosewood weighs 50 to 55 pounds per cubic foot.
Compared to other cutting boards, bamboo and rubberwood are some of the lightest weights. This makes it an excellent choice to manufacture cutting boards and other kitchen utensils.
Is Rubberwood Hard on the Edges of Cutting Utensils?
Rubberwood has a smooth edge which makes it easy to use for cutting utensils.
It has a coarse grain, making the knife glide over quickly without getting dull.
How much is a Rubberwood Cutting Board?
Rubberwood is relatively cheap compared to other wood.
This wood comes from an overaged rubber tree. The price of rubberwood per square foot is considerably lower than comparative woods of the same kind.
An average rubberwood cutting board costs between $15 and $100 depending on location, size, quality, and finishing.
Is Rubberwood Cutting Board Better Than Pinewood?
Generally, Pinewood is not often used in making cutting boards. This is because Pinewood is stiff softwood, which finds application in other areas.
As a result, pine is best used for roofing, window frames, cabinets, panels, and other woodworks.
Even with the strength of Pinewood, it can’t contend with the strength of rubberwood when it comes to handling kitchen knives.
Is Rubberwood Better Than Oak?
Oak is one of the hardest known woods in the lumbering industry. The density of an average Oak log is about 600-897 kg per meter cube.
However, the price per square foot of Oak makes it rather expensive for kitchen utensils.
Like Oak, rubberwood also contains anti-fungal and bacterial properties. However, the density of Rubberwood is considerably lower than that of Oaktree, which reflects in the price.
When one weighs the price difference, it is safe to conclude that the Rubberwood cutting board is a better and more economical choice.
However, Oak is much more durable and high-end than rubberwood.
What is the Ideal Finishing For Rubberwood Cutting Board?
It is best to opt for a rubberwood cutting board with mineral oil finishing.
It is much more hygienic for your meal, and it also preserves the natural texture of the rubberwood grain. Besides, the tendency of contamination greatly reduces.
Some customers constantly complain about the impact of some finishes on their knife edge. Settling for the natural grain of rubberwood is mild on the knife and prevents dulling.
Is Bamboo Better Than Rubberwood?
A bamboo cutting board is one of the most popular boards among chefs. This can be traced to its considerably low price and the porous grain.
However, with the rise in rubberwood cutting boards, chefs are beginning to opt for rubberwood.
It is much more durable than bamboo and mild on the knife edge. The significant upside of bamboo over rubberwood is its natural water-resistant properties.
Both rubberwood and bamboo cutting boards are eco-friendly. They are both porous and easy to clean.
Above all, both boards are affordable. It is hard to point out the better board expressly. Deciding the best for you might be based on specific needs and preferences.
Overall, a try on both boards would show you the one that’s best for you.
How Durable Is The Rubberwood Cutting Board?
If you are looking for a cutting board that will serve you for a long time, Rubberwood is a good choice.
First, the anti-fungal properties of the wood make it ideal for the kitchen because it prevents your board from harboring diseases.
Also, the medium density of the wood helps it withstand pressure and prevent cracks or shrink.
Rubberwood performs well with moisture content, and when properly treated with mineral oil, it can handle major needs in the kitchen.
Rubberwood cutting boards can last for as long as a decade if properly maintained.
Wrapping Up
Every piece of furniture has its downside. For rubberwood, moisture might affect the integrity. When exposed to water without proper treatment, it quickly decays and rots.
However, good finishing would curb this development.
You have nothing to fear because your cutting board resides in your kitchen. Periodical cleaning with mineral oil would keep your board safe for a long time.
The advantage here is that the prices are relatively low, it lasts longer, and the natural capacity to fight off bacteria and fungi is admirable.
If you are keen on eco-friendliness, buying a rubberwood cutting board is a way to give a voice to your belief.
References
What are rubber wood furniture disadvantages?
Ever of herd of rubber tree wood, is it a sustainable material for a cutting board?