Jimmy Whether you’re a beginner learning woodworking or a seasoned pro, it’s always a good idea to learn how to choose the best wood for cutting board. The right tools can make all the difference in your projects. Woodworking can be very rewarding and profitable as long as you select the right tools and know-how to care for them properly. The following is a brief description of the top five woodworking wood products and woods that should be considered when shopping for tools.
- Maple is one of the most popular woods used for kitchen and bathroom cutting boards. Its smooth wood grains are ideal for creating straight grain lines while maintaining natural luster. It doesn’t absorb moisture well which makes it a great choice for places where moisture is a problem such as shower enclosures and sinks. However, it does have very shallow pores that may allow bacteria to build up. For this reason, it’s not recommended for projects where contamination will be a problem.
- Cherry is another popular wood used for kitchen and bathroom cutting boards. While it’s relatively hard (which makes it appropriate for cutting boards), it’s not as hard as maple. Its pores are somewhat deeper than maple which means it’s more resistant to bacteria build-up but it also has shallow pores. It’s probably best to use it only in places with easy access to water such as bathrooms and showers.
- Walnut is a quality alternative to maple and has similar grain patterns. Like maple, it’s relatively easy to maintain and clean. It also doesn’t absorb moisture well so it’s a great choice for places where moisture is a concern such as shower enclosures and sinks. However, it has fewer straight grain patterns and has shallow, open pores that may allow moisture to get inside and contribute to bacterial build-up.
- A popular alternative to walnut is red oak. Like walnut, it’s relatively hard (although it’s not as hard as teak) which makes it a good choice for kitchen and bathroom cutting boards. It’s very consistent with straight grain patterns and deep pore sizes which make it ideal for use in kitchens. It may harbor some fungi or mold however and should be treated as an all-wood piece. As it has very little straight grain, it may retain moisture and can be susceptible to swelling after exposure to moisture so it’s best used in dry places.
Spruce is another popular wood for kitchen and bath board surfaces. It is soft and relatively easy to work with despite its hardness making it suitable for most applications. It has a straight grain and deep pore sizes and is available in a variety of colors. It’s a fairly good material for chopping boards although it may degrade after prolonged exposure to moisture so it may be best to keep chopping surfaces dry and clean.
