Rubberwood has become an increasingly popular choice of material for cutting boards and kitchen accessories in recent years.
As consumers become more environmentally-conscious, the renewable rubberwood proves an excellent green alternative to traditional hardwoods.
Rubberwood boards offer distinctive benefits in sustainability, care and maintenance, durability, and functionality that make them a versatile and smart option for any kitchen.
Benefits of Using a Rubberwood Cutting Board:
Rubberwood possesses many inherent qualities that make cutting boards carved from this material both high-performing and ecologically friendly.
Renewable Resource
- Rubberwood comes from rubber trees that stop producing usable latex around 25 years of age
- The trees are subsequently felled and the wood harvested, allowing new saplings to be planted
- This renewable source prevents depletion of old-growth forests
Dense and Durable:
- Rubberwood rates very high on hardness and density scales, making it extremely scratch, warp, and water-resistant
- The tight wood grain makes rubberwood boards unlikely to develop deep grooves from knives
- The hardness contributes to long-lasting durability under regular kitchen use
Less Impact from Moisture and Bacteria:
- The high density helps rubberwood boards resist moisture absorption
- Restricts bacteria growth more effectively than softer woods like pine
- Generally less prone to staining, warping, and bacterial contamination
Ergonomic Design Options:
- Manufacturers produce rubberwood boards in various shapes and features beyond basic rectangles
- Grooves, juice gutters, carrying handles, and specialized cut-outs for function
- Lighter weight than many exotic hardwoods while still sturdy
How to Properly Care for Your Rubberwood Cutting Board?
While their durable composition requires less maintenance overall, rubberwood boards still need proper care to preserve integrity and appearance over years of use.
Regular Cleaning:
- Wash boards after each use with hot soapy water and a soft brush
- Sanitize monthly with a vinegar-water solution
- Dry thoroughly upside down to prevent moisture trapping
Proper Cutting Techniques:
- Always use the board for its intended cutting purpose
- Avoid cutting extremely hard items like bones or frozen foods
- Use the right knife for the task to limit undue pressure and damage
Oil Application:
- Periodic applications of food-grade mineral oil nourishes and protects the wood
- Allows the board to be safely and hygienically reused
- Follow individual board oil application recommendations
Rotation and Replacement:
- Letting boards rest and dry out fully between uses avoids potential warping
- Rotate use between a couple boards to spread out wear and tear
- Replace overly worn boards that can harbor bacteria despite cleaning
Why Rubberwood is the Ideal Material for Cutting Boards?
In addition to sustainability, several key properties establish rubberwood as an excellent choice of material for durable, high-functioning cutting boards.
Hardness and Density:
- With a Janka hardness rating exceeding 1,000 lb, rubberwood qualifies as a hardwood
- Far denser than woods like pine or cedar, enabling knicks and cuts to stay shallow
- Heavier and more stable than lighter woods during use
Closed Wood Grain:
- The tight grain structure better conceals scratch marks from repeated use
- Allows thorough cleaning of micro grooves without trapping debris
- Prevents deep knife marks which harbor bacteria and require board replacement
Water Resistance;
- The dense wood composition makes rubberwood more water-resistant than other softwoods
- Less likely to split or crack when exposed to moisture over time
- Reduced warping compared to other woods
The Environmental Impact of Choosing a Rubberwood Cutting Board:
From responsible forest management to production methods and product lifespan, rubberwood cutting boards represent an eco-friendly kitchen implement from start to finish.
Renewably-Sourced Material:
- Made from sustainably-harvested trees that have ceased latex flow
- Provides alternative fate for thousands of trees felled annually
- Promotes responsible reforestation practices and biodiversity
Energy-Efficient Manufacturing:
- Most rubberwood comes from the Asia-Pacific region
- Manufacturers maximize energy efficiency and minimize waste in production
- Results in a smaller carbon footprint through transport and sale
Product Lifespan and End-of-Life:
- Dense composition and moisture-resistance properties enable years of regular use with proper care
- Can ultimately be recycled, composted, or used as fuel at end of lifecycle
Comparing Rubberwood Cutting Boards to Other Popular Materials:
Rubberwood possesses qualities on par with or superior to several other typical cutting board options in look, performance, and environmental impact.
Versus Hardwoods:
- Comparable hardness and appearance to woods like oak” maple, walnut
- Responsibly and renewably sourced unlike slow-growth exotic woods
- Less susceptible to warping under moisture than many hardwoods
Versus Softwoods:
- Superior density makes rubberwood far more durable than pine or cedar options
- Much greater resistance to moisture absorption, bacteria retention, knife marks
- Renewable source is preferable to large softwood trees sourced from mature forests
Versus Plastics:
- All-natural material avoids health concerns posed by plastic chemical leaching
- Won’t develop deep grooves that trap debris like lightweight plastic boards
- Infinitely renewable source unlike environmentally-problematic plastics
Tips for Choosing the Best Rubberwood Cutting Board for Your Needs:
With a wide range of rubberwood boards available, keep these recommendations in mind while selecting the perfect board for your kitchen setup and intended use.
Type of Use:
- Opt for a larger, thicker board if you regularly cut large items like roast meats
- Choose a compact size for small prep work like vegetables and bread slicing
Personal Style and Design:
- Numerous edge and accent design options like juice grooves and handles
- Multiple stain colors from light maple to dark walnut depending on cabinetry
- Engraving or burning for personalization
Price:
- Entry-level boards cost less than premium exotic hardwoods
- Larger sizes, intricate designs, and added features increase price
- Choose thickness based on budget constraints and regular usage
Innovative Designs and Functions of Rubberwood Cutting Boards:
The unique properties of renewable rubberwood enable manufacturers to craft cutting boards with innovative shapes, features, and designated uses that reimagine kitchen prep.
Reversible Two-Sided Boards;
- One smooth side for general prep work
- Textured side that is gentle on knives for meat/fish cutting
- Ridges hold meat juices while protecting the knife’s sharp edge
Cut-Out and Grooved Boards:
- Juice groove rings to catch running liquids
- Large grip handles for easy lifting and transport
- Puzzle-like pieces for compact storage
Antimicrobial Mineral Additives:
- Manufacturers integrate minerals like zinc oxide into the wood
- Inhibits bacterial growth in microscopic scratches
- Safe for food prep and maintains board lifespan
The Durability and Longevity of Rubberwood Cutting Boards:
Thanks to the strength and water-resistance inherent in the wood, rubberwood cutting boards represent a long-term kitchen investment that literally gets better with age.
Hardness Retention:
- Year after year of regular prep work only further cures and hardens rubberwood through oxidation and oil absorption
- Prevents the material softening over time like other woods
- Enables decades of use with proper upkeep
Moisture Resistance:
- Water, oil, and juices pool and run off versus soaking into the tight wood grain
- Greatly reduces impacts of humidity, temperatures, and exposure to liquids
- Minimizes seasonal wood movement that can warp and crack other boards
Microbial Protection:
- Research shows older wood boards harbor fewer bacteria than brand new boards
- Develops natural antimicrobial compounds through oxidation and oil impregnation
- Improves longevity by inhibiting contaminants within knife scratches
Different Types of Rubberwood Cutting Boards:
While the source wood is uniform, manufacturers craft boards in a variety of shapes, sizes, and surface textures to fulfill ideal functions throughout the kitchen.
Colors:
- Natural light blonde shades through amber and reddish-brown
- Stain options in multiple wood tones and colors to match cabinetry
- Contrasting wood inlays as design accents
Shapes:
- Classic rectangle with rounded edges remains most common
- Expanding range of oval, round, square, and asymmetric options
- Cut-out handles and curved profiles for aesthetic appeal
Sizes:
- Personal boards (8×6 inches) for compact uses to oversize (24×18 inches) for large tasks
- Typical thickness from 0.5 inch thin flexible boards up to massive 3 inch blocks
- Portable mid-sized boards (12×12 inches) strike balance for most home cooks
Surfaces:
- Smooth sanded face best for general slicing and chopping
- Textured side for meat cutting helps preserve sharpened knife edges
Using a Rubberwood Cutting Board for Different Types of Food Prep:
A quality rubberwood board serves as the ideal prep surface for nearly any kitchen task from slicing bread to chopping vegetables to carving roasts.
Breads and Baked Goods:
- Provides an ultra smooth surface that won’t tear delicate doughs or pastries
- Easy to scrape off and clean loose flour without cross-contamination
Fruits and Vegetables:
- Durable enough surface for all types of knives to slice fruits/veggies without damage
- Clean grooves trap errant juices while prepping multiple ingredients
Meat and Fish:
- Textured side allows sharp knives to glide smoothly when trimming meats
- Maintains flavor integrity without transferring tastes between proteins
Cheese
- Harder than plastic boards that can harbor microbes in grooves
- Allows thorough cleaning/removal of fatty dairy that fosters bacteria
The Versatility of Rubberwood Cutting Boards in Your Kitchen
In addition to a primary cutting surface, innovative rubberwood board designs adapt across multiple uses from food presentation to serveware.
Serving Platters:
- Attractive natural wood grain patterns for compiled cheeses, fruit, charcuterie, hors d’oeuvres
- Grooves catch drips from cheeses and meats to keep platters clean
Trivets and Pot Stands:
- Heat-resistant wood protects surfaces from hot pans and ovenware
- Provides a flat foundation for stability when resting hot dishes
DIY Projects:
- Ideal to craft custom butcher blocks, towel holders, shelves
- Stain, stencil, engrave to match other homemade or purchased items
Kids Activities:
- Durable enough for young cooks learning slicing techniques
- Large sizes provide ample space for creative kitchen projects
FAQ:
Does rubberwood harbor bacteria?
Rubberwood contains natural antimicrobial compounds and resists moisture crucial to bacteria growth far better than pine, cedar and bamboo. Maintaining the board properly minimizes contamination risk.
Why avoid glass or marble cutting boards?
Glass and marble dull knife edges quickly, whereas textured rubberwood preserves sharpness. They can also shatter, while rubberwood boards last for years.
Can you put rubberwood cutting boards in the dishwasher?
While rubberwood boards are water-resistant, the extreme heat and prolonged moisture inside dishwashers can damage boards over time. Quick hand washing is best.
Conclusion:
With strength resembling traditional hardwoods but sourced through fast-growing sustainable forests, dense rubberwood cutting boards represent the ideal modern option for eco-conscious cooks. Renewably-sourced rubberwood brings versatility, durability, and functionality with appealing designs to suit any kitchen.
Respecting rubberwood boards with gentle cleaning, oil treatments, and regular maintenance guarantees resilient, long-lasting service for all meal preps that only improves as the years pass.
Ultimately rubberwood offers 21st-century innovation rooted in timeless principles of quality craftsmanship.
