Corian® Boards
Made by the DuPont Company, these lovely boards are very easy to clean and are available in various sizes and in a myriad of colors. They are non-porous, which makes them more resistant to bacterial growth, and they will not easily stain.
Over time, these boards will suffer marks or cuts, but these can be repaired. Some colors can fade in direct sunlight, and they cannot be used as a trivet as heat can damage the surface. Their surfaces are hard against a knife’s edge, and they do not make the chopping experience pleasant. Also, they tend to retain food stains easily.
Tempered Glass Boards
Glass boards are beautiful and patterned to suit every decor. They are very durable, resistant to heat, and are the most sanitary and easy to clean.
However, glass boards are the hardest on knife edges, and the sound produced by slicing on these boards can be aggravating. They are my least favorite cutting board, and I have tossed them away! They are usually heavier than other boards but are good for protecting your counter
Plastic Cutting Boards
Plastic boards are generally considered the “safest” because they are the easiest to clean and sanitize, and the small ones can be placed in the dishwasher. Their surfaces are softer against the knife edge and make the chopping experience pleasant. While they retain food stains easily, such marks can be removed with a bleach solution.
Generally, plastic boards are the most affordable and can be found in various colors, hard or flexible, thick or thin. The flexible ones are terrific for food transfer and are easy to store. They will not last as long as thicker boards, as sharp knives will eventually cut through the thin material. Hard plastic boards are extremely durable and can also double as trivets.
Wooden Boards
Wooden boards are generally harder to clean and are not dishwasher friendly. They can suffer cuts and cracks which can harbor bacteria. Thus, they must be cleaned thoroughly.
Wooden boards are very affordable but large, thick maple boards can be expensive. Bamboo cutting boards are more expensive but have a longer lifespan.
Wooden boards used to be made of maple hardwoods which is why they are my favorite cutting board. Today, other woods and patterns are used. Bamboo, which is actually a grass, has become very popular due to its hardness and resistance to bacteria. The best feature of wooden boards is that they are the easiest on knife edges, and many people prefer the sound of chopping on wood as opposed to other types of materials. It makes the chopping experience pleasant and comfortable.
