Are Stainless Steel Cutting Boards Good? 7 Important Tips
A cutting board is a crucial addition to our kitchen. We can’t understate its importance when cutting vegetables, meat, or fruits.
If you’re using your knife in the kitchen, there’s a very high chance that you’re using it with a cutting board.
If you’re using a different material cutting board and are wondering whether stainless steel boards are worth your attention, you’re in the right place.
Stainless steel cutting boards are made from 304-grade stainless steel, making them suitable for food preparation. They’re very good cutting boards with great durability, are non-porous, and slimmer than most wooden cutting boards.
So, are they better than wood, glass, bamboo, or plastic cutting boards?
Read on to find out.
Why Choose Stainless Steel Cutting Boards
Durable
Stainless steel cutting boards are very durable and may serve you for a lifetime.
They’re also resistant to the wear and tear that’s very common in a majority of the other cutting boards.
If you have a steel cutting board, you’ll notice that the board is very resistant to scratches or knife cuts.
The rule of the thumb is to change your cutting boards every 5 to 10 years. I’d recommend the same for stainless steel cutting boards.
Easy to Clean
Stainless steel cutting boards are non-porous and smooth, making them easy to clean.
They don’t rust, meaning that you can use your everyday detergent in your dishwasher, and you’re sure that it shall come out clean.
Unlike plastic or wooden cutting boards, the absence of knife cuts makes cleaning easier.
Very Solid
Unlike plastic or wood that may warp when near fire or be discolored after some time, stainless steel cutting boards are very solid.
You don’t have to be afraid of dropping it as it won’t crack or bend.
Also, the stainless steel boards are quite heavy compared to similar-sized cutting boards. Its improved stability ensures that it won’t move as freely when using it.
Eco-friendly
Wooden cutting boards come from wood that may at times be unsustainable. The use of plastic cutting boards has been criticized in recent times due to its adverse effects on our environment.
Many people prefer adopting sustainable measures towards eco-friendly cutting board materials such as stainless steel.
Easy to Manage
Stainless steel cutting boards are very manageable and need very little attention. Their surfaces don’t harbor bacteria and germs, making them suitable for all family use.
You can also store it for some time if you no longer need it, and you’ll reuse it once you need it again.
Some wooden cutting boards warp or are affected by termites. You won’t find such unpreferable characteristics with stainless steel boards.
Reasons Why You Should Avoid Stainless Steel Cutting Boards
If stainless steel is that good, why isn’t it universally accepted as the go-to material for cutting boards?
The answer is that stainless steel has undesirable properties that affect your kitchen experience.
Here are 3 reasons why you should shy away from stainless steel cutting boards
Stainless Steel Cutting Boards Dull Knives
Stainless steel is a very hard material that doesn’t absorb the force of the knife once they come in contact.
Rather, the effect of the force is bounced back to the knife, and since you were chopping down, this force isn’t enough to push your hand upwards.
It then ends up being dissipated at the sharp edge of the knife. The result is that the blade will become blunt no matter the item you were chopping.
Very Slippery
Stainless steel cutting boards are very smooth and uniform.
When cutting some items, especially food, fruits, or meat, the liquid from these foods makes the stainless steel surface very slippery.
From experience, working with a slipping knife is a very dangerous and annoying experience. It may take some time before you grasp how your stainless steel cutting board works fully.
Noisy
You’ll hear an unpleasant sound every time your knife comes into contact with the cutting board.
If you’re sensitive to such noises, stainless steel cutting boards will not suit you.
How Long Do Stainless Steel Cutting Boards Last?
Stainless steel cutting boards don’t suffer from common cutting board problems such as warping, loose handles, or weakening joints.
Therefore, it’s difficult to accurately gauge the time when you’ll have to discard your steel cutting board.
A good time to replace your stainless steel cutting board is after 5 to 10 years of use. After ten years, knife cuts will eventually start affecting your board’s smoothness.
However, these are just estimates, and depending on its frequency of use, you can retain your cutting board for a lifetime.
If you use composite stainless steel cutting boards, check on the quality of the secondary material before deciding to replace it.
Stainless steel cutting boards can at times have rubber or plastic bases to add to their grip on the table. If the rubber or plastic is worn out, consider replacing the cutting board.
Are the Stainless Steel Cutting Boards Dishwasher Safe?
Absolutely.
Dishwashers can be very aggressive to some materials. You may have bought your stainless steel cutting board and are asking yourself whether you should put it in a dishwasher.
You should look at the pan or its housing to see if it has a dishwasher safe label or tag.
If it doesn’t, you don’t need to worry. Stainless steel cutting boards are dishwasher safe.
Are the Stainless Steel Cutting Boards Hygienic?
Stainless steel is very hygienic and will not harbor bacteria when clean of all materials on the cutting boards.
They have non-porous surfaces that absorb any liquids or juices from fruits and vegetables. Steel doesn’t attract molds, too, meaning that you don’t have to fear getting any form of infection.
Thirdly, the fact that steel is odorless results in good natural tasting food. If you’re not a fan of plastic or are allergic to flavors that come with some wooden cutting boards, stainless steel will serve you best.
Are Stainless Steel Boards Cheaper Than Wooden Cutting Boards?
Stainless steel cutting boards are cheaper than most hardwood cutting boards but are more expensive or fall in the same bracket price as bamboo cutting boards.
Well, bamboo is grass but can be classified as wood cutting boards.
Final Thoughts
The uptake of stainless steel cutting boards has been slow due to the undesirable slipping and irritating sound when it comes into contact with a knife.
If you share your cutting board with several members of your family, especially with the old or very young people, it’s better to go for a safer wood cutting board.
However, steel is a very hygienic and durable material. If you’re tired of cross-contamination and constantly replacing your cutting board, you should try a stainless steel cutting board.
Sources
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