Whether you’re looking for a new plastic cutting board or are in the market to replace an old one, you’ll want to pick the best type of plastic for your needs. After all, this material can determine how well your food stays safe and hygienic.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options out there for you to choose from. We’ve rounded up a few of the top boards so that you can find the right one for your kitchen.
High-Density Polyethylene
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen’s cutting board or are in need of a new one, there are plenty of options out there. But which type of plastic is best?
Many professional chefs favor High-Density Polyethylene, which is a popular type of plastic used in food packaging. It is durable and can withstand the wear and tear of a busy restaurant kitchen.
It also resists cracking and warping, which makes it an ideal choice for commercial food prep applications. HDPE is FDA-approved, so it’s ideal for restaurants, cafes, and other businesses needing a safe way to cut foods without risking cross-contamination or health problems.
Another benefit of using plastic is that it’s much easier to clean. Most plastic boards are dishwasher-safe, so you can wash them and get rid of any leftover food or bacteria with just a quick rinse. However, some models may need a little extra hand-scrubbing to stay clean.
You might also consider a board that’s made of recycled materials. This makes them a more environmentally friendly option for those concerned with plastic waste’s impact on our planet.
But the most important thing to remember when choosing a cutting board is what you will use it for. If you’re the sort of person who loves to cook for a family, a larger cutting board with more surface area is best. But if you’re only cooking for yourself or a couple, a smaller-sized board will be more convenient to store and move around your home.
High-Density Polyethylene cutting boards are a favorite in professional kitchens because they’re resistant to warping and can withstand the constant use of knives. They’re also easy to clean and sanitize. They can be used to prepare everything from vegetables to meat and pizza. They’re a great addition to your kitchen and will help you prepare your dishes quickly and efficiently. Plus, they can save you money in the long run. Start saving today!
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is the way to go if you’re looking for a cutting board made from a material that doesn’t retain odors, stains, or scratches. It’s also BPA-free, which is important if you’re worried about potential exposure to the industrial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) that can leach into your food.
If the chopping, slicing, and carving of your meals is every day, you’ll probably want a board that stands up to the wear and tear of daily use. Look for boards with a non-skid surface that’s easy to hold and move around the counter without losing grip or sliding off, like these OXO Good Grips Boards.
They’re textured to stay stable on the countertop and are stain-resistant and dishwasher-safe. You can also find a wide range of options that are BPA-free.
These reversible cutting boards are perfect for preparing raw and cooked meat types. They’re made from durable plastic that doesn’t retain smells, stains, or scratches and is easy to clean with soap and water.
The textured surface of these cutting boards makes it easier to cut vegetables and raw chicken, so they’re great for slicing, dicing, and carving a variety of foods. They’re large enough for most kitchens and backed with a 10-year warranty.
A durable, long-lasting board is an essential addition to any kitchen. That’s why Williams Sonoma has rounded up a selection of the best polypropylene cutting boards for your home or kitchen.
When choosing a board, you’ll need to consider its size, thickness, and grips. Too large and bulky boards can be difficult to lift, wash, and store.
Another consideration is whether the cutting board has a grooved or non-grooved surface. Grooved cutting boards are ideal for chopping hard vegetables like carrots and beets, while non-grooved boards are ideal for soft or delicate items like salmon.
If you’re looking for a cutting knife that will last, opt for a stainless steel blade. A stainless steel blade is rust-proof and won’t corrode or discolor over time.
You’ll want to regularly oil your cutting board, particularly if you’re using it for chopping or slicing hard foods. This will help prevent warping, cracking, and other issues that can occur when a cutting board isn’t properly oiled. You can use natural mineral oil, beeswax, or an oil formulated specifically for cutting boards.
Polyvinyl Acetate
When it comes to choosing a cutting board, you want something safe, easy to clean, and doesn’t cause harm to your knives or food. There are several types of plastic that you can buy, but the best one is polyvinyl acetate.
This type of plastic is often used in cutting boards, but it can also be found in a variety of other products and uses. You can find it in many types of household cleaners and detergents. It is also used in a wide range of industrial applications.
It is commonly used in paints, paper, fabrics, and adhesives. It is a water-reproducible, milky white polymer that has strong plasticizer and thickener properties. It is also used as an emulsifier, an anti-caking agent, a drug disintegrant, a lubricant, and a viscosity increaser.
Polyvinyl acetate is produced through free radical polymerization, in which the monomer molecules of vinyl acetate react with water and produce an emulsion. The emulsion is then dried and converted into a polyvinyl acetate, or PVA.
While the polymerization process can be performed in a variety of ways, it is most often accomplished by heating. Using high heat can cause the monomer molecules to melt, allowing for the polymerization of the PVA.
In the case of the polyvinyl acetate used in most cutting boards, the polymerization reaction can occur at very low temperatures and in very small amounts, making it a good choice for a durable and long-lasting board. Moreover, it is very light and flexible.
Another advantage of polyvinyl acetate is that it can be molded into many shapes, including rectangles, circles, and ovals. This makes it a great option for those who prefer to designate different sections of the cutting board for certain foods, such as meat, veggies, and fruits.
If you are concerned about the environmental impact of plastic, you may want to choose a recycled plastic cutting board. Recycled plastic is a sustainable alternative to virgin plastics and can be made from a variety of different materials, such as post-consumer waste and other by-products.
Some plastic cutting boards are dishwasher-safe, but you should always hand-wash them to avoid warping or bending, as the high heat of the dishwasher can damage the material. Additionally, some plastic cutting boards are made with formaldehyde-containing glues, which can have harmful effects on your health.
Polystyrene
Polystyrene is one of the best types of plastic to use on a cutting board. This material is known for its high tensile strength and durability and its ability to resist chemical corrosion and moisture. It is also FDA-compliant, meaning it is safe for food use.
Compared to other types of plastic, polystyrene is inexpensive and readily available. It is commonly used in consumer products and commercial packaging. It is a thermoplastic, meaning it can become liquid when heated and then solid again when cooled. This is important for many types of packaging, such as ice packs and disposable cups.
Polystyrene is commonly co-polymerized with other compounds to increase its resistance to abrasion, UV light, and heat. This is especially helpful for its applications in food service packaging, where it can withstand temperatures up to 350 degrees F.
Thermoformed polystyrene is a relatively inexpensive, durable material that can be recycled and reused several times. It is a low-cost alternative to wood and can be molded into unique shapes. It is often used to manufacture car parts such as knobs, instrument panels, sound-dampening foam, and more.
It is also popular for medical applications, including labware and patient care equipment. Its clarity, dimensional stability, and adaptability to radiation sterilization make it an ideal choice for these applications.
Because it is not biodegradable, it can be difficult to recycle. In addition, it can contaminate other materials in the recycling process.
Another disadvantage of polystyrene is its brittle nature. This can be an issue during the ejection of parts from the mold. Thankfully, it is commonly co-polymerized with rubber or butadiene to reduce its brittleness and improve its impact strength.
In contrast to polystyrene, a similar type of foam called expanded polystyrene (EPS) is much less brittle and is more resistant to crazing. This material is typically produced by expanding spherical beads in a mold, which is then heat-treated.
EPS is not easy to cut with a hand saw or a jigsaw, so using a tool designed specifically for this job is best. A pad saw is an excellent option, as it is long and narrow, allowing it to plunge into the polystyrene to create an opening in the board.
