Frequently Asked Questions
Cutting Board FAQs
Q: How do I disinfect my cutting board?
A: After every use wash the cutting board by hand with hot water and mild dish soap. Remove excess water with a paper towel and allow to air dry. Do not place in dishwasher or other mechanical cleaning device. Hands wash only.
Q: How do I maintain my cutting board?
A: For complete details, refer to the Care & Maintenance section for your individual product. At least monthly, depending on use and household conditions; you should apply food safe cutting board oil. We use General Finishes Butcher Block Oil and Howard Butcher Block Conditioner. Both are acceptable for maintaining and treating your cutting board. Howard Butcher Block Conditioner is great for longer term care as it helps repair cuts in the wood and contains wax to seal the surface.
Q: What type of cutting boards do you sell?
A: Our boards are edge grain cutting boards. There are three main methods for assembling cutting boards; face, edge, and end grain. Face grain is when the cutting surface is the face side of the piece of wood and the boards are glued edge to edge. This type is the least durable and prone to cracking. Edge grain is when each board is glued face to face with the next. This bond creates a joint that is stronger than the material itself. End grain cutting boards are made with small blocks glued on end where the cutting surface is the end on the board. This type is the most expensive and is often matched with other species of wood.
Q: Why do you use edge grain?
A: Our goal is to provide a product that will last as long as possible. Edge grain manufacturing methods provide the most durable cutting board available. It also reduces the possible of cracking because the grain of each board is running in the same direction.
Q: Why do cutting boards crack?
A: Wood is alive. It is a material that absorbs moisture, expands and contracts, and reacts to other materials. No one can guarantee that a cutting board will never crack, it is mother natures will. You can reduce the likelihood by selecting certain features.
Q: What features reduce cutting board cracking?
A: Most manufacturers make cutting boards with a thickness less than 1 inch. Each strip of wood wants to expand and contract at its own pace. The thinner the board, the less resistance and more movement between each strip of wood. Over time, with seasonal changes, and external elements, the wood will find a weak spot in the board. This is where the crack will appear. Often people report hearing a pop from there kitchen, this is the stress that your cutting board is under from expansion and contraction. We make our wood boards at least 1 3/8” thick. This provides additional strength that reduces cracking.
A: Any removal of wood from the board, ie finger grooves, juice grooves, etc. Any time you remove material from the original shape, you create a weak point. Grooves cut into the side of the board to assist in picking up will create a starting point for a crack to begin. You want a board that is balanced in its construction to reduce potential issues.
A: Lack of air circulation can cause cracking as well. Since wood is a material that is in constant motion, it needs to breath just like your skin. Most cutting boards have no feet on them and sit directly on the counter. Not only is this sanitation issue, but it restricts air movement. If the wood can’t breathe and move evenly, it can crack and warp.
Q: Why aren’t your cutting boards reversible?
A: We feel reversible cutting boards are more of a marketing tool and do not provide the best long term product. Our goal is to provide a cutting board that will last as long as possible, not fall apart after a year like many competitors. One way is to add feet, which allows air movement under the board. It also doesn’t trap food and juice between the board and the counter, leading to unsanitary conditions.
Q: What should I do if my cutting board warps?
A: Wood warps because of uneven moisture content. The first step would be to thoroughly treat your cutting board with approved cutting block oil, see step 1. You should repeat the procedures from step 1 multiples time over several days. This may be enough to level the moisture content out bring the cutting board back to normal. If this does not work you can adjust the rubber feet on the bottom. Identify which feet are off the surface. Unscrew those rubber feet and place a ¾” washer over the screw. Reattach the rubber feet. You may have to reverse this process as seasons change.
A: What are the dark spots in the groove on the bin cutting board model?
Q: This is a reaction from the block oil and the open grain of the wood. When the CNC machine mills the groove, it is cutting open the wood pores. Then, when we oil the blocks the grain reacts with the oil and minerals in the wood causing dark spots. These spots are completely harmless and nothing to worry about.
Q: Why do your cutting boards cost more than competitors?
A: Two reasons. Our designs are superior in function than competitors, this requires additional costs to fabricate and design. We also make the cutting board slabs in the United States with lumber from the area. This superior craftsmanship and material comes with an additional cost.