My FAVORITE Cutting Boards - WORST to BEST

Summary

In this video, Frankuel shares his favorite cutting board after years of inquiries from viewers. He compares various types, including plastic from Ikea and Costco, edge grain Walnut, end grain Walnut-Cherry-Maple, and the Larchwood Canada board. He advises against glass and bamboo boards, recommending the high-quality plastic for raw proteins. Frankuel praises the Larchwood Canada for its softness on knife edges, easy maintenance, and natural antimicrobial properties, making it his top choice for cutting vegetables and occasionally meats.

Takeaways

• 🔪 The presenter's favorite cutting board is a Larchwood Canada end grain cutting board.
• 🌐 The distinction between 'best' and 'favorite' cutting boards is clarified; the presenter discusses personal preference over objective quality.
• 🚫 Strong advice against using glass or bamboo cutting boards due to their potential to damage knives more than other materials.
• ❌ The Ikea plastic cutting board is not recommended because it can chip knife edges due to its textured surface.
• 🆚 A comparison is made between different types of cutting boards, including plastic, edge grain, and end grain wooden boards.
• 🥩 The high-quality polyurethane plastic cutting board from Costco is recommended for raw meats and fish due to its softness on knife edges.
• 🪵 Edge grain Walnut cutting boards are praised for their aesthetic appeal but noted to show wear over time due to the cutting direction against the wood grain.
• 🌳 The Bograng Atelier end grain cutting board, while beautiful, is noted to be hard on knife edges and not the presenter's favorite due to increased risk of chipping.
• 🌿 Larchwood (Tamarack) is highlighted as a soft wood with natural antimicrobial properties, making it ideal for a cutting board.
• 📈 The presenter's process for selecting a cutting board involves considering edge retention, durability, and the board's impact on knife maintenance.

Q & A

What is the main difference between 'the best cutting board' and 'Frankuel's favorite cutting board'?

The main difference is that 'the best cutting board' implies an objective standard of quality, while 'Frankuel's favorite cutting board' is subjective and based on his personal preference and experience.

What are the types of cutting boards mentioned in the script?

The types of cutting boards mentioned are plastic from Ikea, plastic from Costco, edge grain Walnut, end grain with Walnut, Cherry, and Maple, and a Larchwood Canada cutting board.

Why does Frankuel not recommend glass or bamboo cutting boards?

Frankuel does not recommend glass or bamboo cutting boards because they can cause more damage to knives than the benefits they provide, due to their hardness which can lead to chipping and dulling of the knife edge.

What is the primary reason Frankuel prefers the Larchwood Canada cutting board?

Frankuel prefers the Larchwood Canada cutting board because it is soft on the edge of his blade, helping to maintain edge retention and durability, and it is naturally antimicrobial.

What is the significance of the wood type used in the Larchwood Canada cutting board?

Larchwood, also known as Tamarack or Larix laricina, is a softwood with natural antimicrobial properties, making it ideal for use in a cutting board where food safety is a concern.

What is the issue Frankuel has with the Ikea plastic cutting board?

The Ikea plastic cutting board has a textured surface that can wedge a knife blade between the plastic cubes, potentially leading to chipping of the blade.

How does Frankuel maintain his wooden cutting boards?

Frankuel maintains his wooden cutting boards by applying a mineral oil and beeswax compound to keep them moist and trap moisture within the board.

What is the difference between edge grain and end grain cutting boards?

Edge grain cutting boards have wood fibers running perpendicular to the cutting surface, while end grain cutting boards have wood fibers running horizontally, providing a different cutting experience and knife edge protection.

Why does Frankuel think the Costco plastic cutting board is better for knives compared to the Ikea one?

The Costco plastic cutting board is smoother and softer, which means it's less likely to chip the knife blade compared to the textured Ikea plastic cutting board.

What are the two changes Frankuel would make to his favorite Larchwood Canada cutting board if he could?

Frankuel would make the board slightly larger and prefer a less uniform, more chaotic pattern on the surface.

How does Frankuel use the edge grain Walnut cutting board?

Frankuel uses the edge grain Walnut cutting board mainly for serving purposes and final touches, such as cutting pizzas or presenting a beef wellington.