Cutting board that doesn’t break the bank

[GrumpyGriller]

I mad the mistake of buying a $60 30x20 banboo cutting board on Amazon. The size was great, but the original and it's replacement dceloped cracks and split in two within weeks. Thery were gently washed and then properly oiled, so I know I'll need to spend a bit more $$$. This board was thin, maybe 1/2" max, so maybe that was a contributing factor?

I looked on Etsy, and there's everything from $75-$400, and my concern is that I don't know true quality going that route.

I'm looking for 30x20, so if Anyone has suggestions, ideally with a link, it would be appu!

 

[Sven Svensson]

If you want thin, go with the plastic boards. Otherwise, the thicker boards do last a lot longer and will save you $ in the long run. I have one that’s 3/4” thick and after 15 years it’s just starting to crack. I have another that’s 1”, maybe more, and looks new, cuts excepted. I oil mine right after every big holiday so maybe 4-5 times a year. The big board I have is a Boos.

I should add, my favorite cutting board I use the most is a white polyethylene board that’s an 18” x 30” monster. It’s not classy but we have it on the counter top all the time. It’s enormous and I almost returned it because I didn’t intend on ordering one this big. We use it for everything, every day. Best part is that it was $30.

I cut up two giant pork shoulders today for some buckboard bacon and I had more than enough room for it all plus the vacuum sealer. Not bad for $30.

 

[DougE]

I should add, my favorite cutting board I use the most is a white polyethylene board that’s an 18” x 30” monster. It’s not classy but we have it on the counter top all the time. It’s enormous and I almost returned it because I didn’t intend on ordering one this big. We use it for everything, every day. Best part is that it was $30.

Do tell. I'm looking for some largeish HDPE or similar boards. I'd actually like even bigger than 18x30, but cost seems to go up fast when you go bigger.

 

[GrumpyGriller]

I may give this a shot...it's HDPE

30 x 18 HDPE

 

[DougE]

I have a similar one a little smaller, and it's a good board

 

[kilo charlie]

Cutting boards cost that much because they take hours and hours to make. Like everything else the price of lumber has gone up and the price of quality wood has gone up even farther. Exotic woods always have been ridiculously priced.

When you are talking about larger sizes, the cost is then increased because of the larger tools required to make them. Most people don't own a planer or drum sander that can make a 30 x 20 board.

If you do own a wooden cutting board, please store them on their edges. This allows them to stay flat over time by allowing the same amount of air on both the flat sides. Oil them as needed and I prefer to put a cutting board wax on my boards.

 

[schlotz]

If you want thin, go with the plastic boards. Otherwise, the thicker boards do last a lot longer and will save you $ in the long run. I have one that’s 3/4” thick and after 15 years it’s just starting to crack. I have another that’s 1”, maybe more, and looks new, cuts excepted. I oil mine right after every big holiday so maybe 4-5 times a year. The big board I have is a Boos.

I should add, my favorite cutting board I use the most is a white polyethylene board that’s an 18” x 30” monster. It’s not classy but we have it on the counter top all the time. It’s enormous and I almost returned it because I didn’t intend on ordering one this big. We use it for everything, every day. Best part is that it was $30.

I cut up two giant pork shoulders today for some buckboard bacon and I had more than enough room for it all plus the vacuum sealer. Not bad for $30.

Given the size, probably doesn't fit in the dishwasher so hand wash only, correct?

 

[GrumpyGriller]

Cutting boards cost that much because they take hours and hours to make. Like everything else the price of lumber has gone up and the price of quality wood has gone up even farther. Exotic woods always have been ridiculously priced.

When you are talking about larger sizes, the cost is then increased because of the larger tools required to make them. Most people don't own a planer or drum sander that can make a 30 x 20 board.

If you do own a wooden cutting board, please store them on their edges. This allows them to stay flat over time by allowing the same amount of air on both the flat sides. Oil them as needed and I prefer to put a cutting board wax on my boards.

I wasn't really complaining that places were overcharging for a quality wood board...just that I wasn't looking to spend $300 on one :) For the time being, I think I'll go with the HDPE as I don't need one for presentation/plating...just for prep and carving work. I am waffling between the black and white, but I think I'll go with the black one as I have a feeling the white version will show more food stains etc.

 

[kilo charlie]

I wasn't really complaining that places were overcharging for a quality wood board...just that I wasn't looking to spend $300 on one :) For the time being, I think I'll go with the HDPE as I don't need one for presentation/plating...just for prep and carving work. I am waffling between the black and white, but I think I'll go with the black one as I have a feeling the white version will show more food stains etc.

Most of my plastic cutting boards are white for that exact reason.. that way I can see that they are clean.

I once bought a black plate for presentation and I dislike it very much as it never seems clean enough LOL

 

[GrumpyGriller]

Most of my plastic cutting boards are white for that exact reason.. that way I can see that they are clean.

I once bought a black plate for presentation and I dislike it very much as it never seems clean enough LOL

Excellent point!

 

[TNJAKE]

I get these from Sam's. They are oversized and very heavy duty. They don't fit in the dishwasher

 

[chopsaw]

There's a lot that goes into making a wood cutting board , and the options can add up . However a quality wood board with proper care will last your life time and be passed down the line .
So I always think of it like this . Divide the number of times used into the length of ownership . Comes out pretty cheap in the end .
Get a larger plastic board if that fits your need .
Here's just an idea of some of the steps that goes into a wood board .










That's the short version .

 

[kilo charlie]

There's a lot that goes into making a wood cutting board , and the options can add up . However a quality wood board with proper care will last your life time and be passed down the line .
So I always think of it like this . Divide the number of times used into the length of ownership . Comes out pretty cheap in the end .
Get a larger plastic board if that fits your need .
Here's just an idea of some of the steps that goes into a wood board .
View attachment 526614
View attachment 526623
View attachment 526617

View attachment 526615
View attachment 526616
View attachment 526619
View attachment 526621
View attachment 526620
View attachment 526622
That's the short version .

Thanks for enlightening the others on what it takes - still a lot more work than what your photos show.

 

[GrumpyGriller]

There's a lot that goes into making a wood cutting board , and the options can add up . However a quality wood board with proper care will last your life time and be passed down the line .
So I always think of it like this . Divide the number of times used into the length of ownership . Comes out pretty cheap in the end .
Get a larger plastic board if that fits your need .
Here's just an idea of some of the steps that goes into a wood board .
View attachment 526614
View attachment 526623
View attachment 526617

View attachment 526615
View attachment 526616
View attachment 526619
View attachment 526621
View attachment 526620
View attachment 526622
That's the short version .

As I've said previously - I have no doubt the effort (and today the cost of wood) that goes into something of quality :) I just wasn't yet feeling like spending for that level of quality. I understand that over time the cost per use is minimal, but you can say that for lots of things - it still doesn't make the initial investment any less :)

All this being said, I gather you make these as well....I'd take a look at them if you have a link - I always keep a running "buy me a gift list" just in case my wife wants to get me something :)!!!

 

[kilo charlie]

I get these from Sam's. They are oversized and very heavy duty. They don't fit in the dishwasherView attachment 526613

I have a couple of these - to put these into perspective for others - they are just big enough to lay out a spatchcocked chicken or turkey. Usually a bit short for a whole rack of spare ribs.. obviously depending on the racks - for less than $10 they can't be beat

 

[PolishDeli]

I have one if these.
For $10, it's more than ok. It is not our every-day-cuttingboard. I use it mostly outside when grilling. 18x24; oversized by my standards, but may be smaller than ideal for you.

 

[kilo charlie]

I wasn't really complaining that places were overcharging for a quality wood board...just that I wasn't looking to spend $300 on one :) For the time being, I think I'll go with the HDPE as I don't need one for presentation/plating...just for prep and carving work. I am waffling between the black and white, but I think I'll go with the black one as I have a feeling the white version will show more food stains etc.

chopsaw and I both know you weren't .. we're probably just sensitive to people wanting us to give our masterpieces away ! Plus it allows others reading your thread to know why they cost so much. Sure you can buy thinner boards but they will tend to warp.
The suggested plastic boards are good cheap options to use for now and perhaps invents in a quality wood one in the future.

 

[chopsaw]

I understand that over time the cost per use is minimal, but you can say that for lots of things - it still doesn't make the initial investment any less :)

Like buying a brisket for 3 bucks a pound , then trimming and tossing 3 pounds of fat . How much did we pay a pound after that ?
I mentioned buying the plastic board , because if that works for you , there's no reason to spend a bunch of money .
I still use a cheap face grain board I got 35 years ago .

 

[sandyut]

I have a BIG one i picked up on Amazon that is great

also picked up a set of these at Costco and love them

neither stains at all which has been a problem with others I have tried

 

[Bearcarver]

Thanks for enlightening the others on what it takes - still a lot more work than what your photos show.

Exactly!
Chopsaw did a Great job of showing the "short version" of crafting a wood cutting board.
Making one larger (18" X 30") would add much to that, as would making them with end-grain as the cutting surface.

Bear