Bamboo Cutting Board: 5 Sustainable Options
There’s nothing quite like a natural wood cutting board for chopping, slicing, and serving up your favorite snacks. A bamboo cutting board is a long-lasting, sustainable solution for those looking to protect their health while making eco-conscious choices. We’ve narrowed down some of the best options out there to make it easy for you to pick the perfect bamboo cutting board for your kitchen.
What is a Bamboo Cutting Board? Why Get One?
For safe, healthy cooking, it’s important to find the right non-toxic cutting board for your kitchen. A wooden cutting board is a great way to keep plastic and toxic chemicals away from your food.
Bamboo is one of the most eco-friendly, affordable materials when it comes to natural wood. Not only do bamboo cutting boards look great in your kitchen, but they are durable and lightweight to boot.
Is a bamboo cutting board safe to use?
Bamboo is a sustainable, fast-growing type of grass that can be used to make any number of food-safe products. Unfortunately, it gets a bad rap due to some safety concerns that arise when they are constructed with harmful chemicals or aren’t maintained well.
Not all bamboo cutting boards are created equal. Some boards may include harmful chemicals as a result of the glue that holds the wood together, but this isn’t always the case. Look for brands that use food-safe adhesives to avoid this risk.
With continual use, a cutting board will develop small grooves from your knives, which can be a prime breeding ground for bacteria. Regularly cleaning and disinfecting your board will help keep it sanitary and safe to use in the long run.
Top 5 Bamboo Cutting Boards: How We Chose
To find the best bamboo cutting boards, we considered a few important factors:
- Certifications. We looked for bamboo cutting boards that were third-party certified for sustainability and ethical business practices.
- Size. Depending on your needs, you may want a smaller board for quick kitchen prep or a larger one for big meals. We looked for a variety of sizes and styles to suit your different entertaining and cooking needs.
- Price at Publishing. Quality kitchen goods can be costly. We included products to fit every budget, so you can find a quality bamboo cutting board that won’t break the bank.
Our Picks
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author and DGHQ editors. However, Do Good HQ may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
1. Bambu Bamboo Cutting and Serving Board
| Certifications | Forest Stewardship Council, USDA Biobased Product |
| Size | Medium and Large |
| Price at Publishing | $25.50-$38.00 |
Bambu’s handcrafted cutting and serving boards are the perfect everyday kitchen accessory to get the job done in style. The sleek, modern design looks great on your countertop, and the durable build means they are meant to last.
Highlights
These boards are made with FSC-certified sustainable bamboo and held together with a water-based, food-safe adhesive, so you can enjoy using a product that is safe for you and the environment.
Things to Consider
The rounded edges and lack of juice grooves mean there might be some mess to clean up once you’re done chopping.
2. Greener Chef Bamboo Cutting Board
| Certifications | Organic |
| Size | Small – 4XL |
| Price at Publishing | $22.00-$99.00 |
These organic bamboo cutting boards come in a wide range of sizes and can be purchased individually or as part of a set. Greener Chef uses ethically sourced bamboo to create sturdy, versatile boards perfect for everyday use.
Highlights
Greener Chef offers lifetime replacement and a money-back guarantee. The boards are non-porous, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and built to protect your knife’s edge.
Things to Consider
Like most bamboo cutting boards, these are not dishwasher safe. Greener Chef also recommends regular conditioning with a food-safe oil.
3. Grove Bamboo Prep Board
| Certifications | Cruelty-Free, B Corp Certified |
| Size | 10.3” x 7.5” |
| Price at Publishing | $7.78 |
Grove’s 100% bamboo prep board is the perfect partner for quick chop jobs. The natural antibacterial properties and light, durable build mean it can stand up to some serious cooking, all without taking up too much space in your kitchen.
Highlights
Grove offers carbon-neutral shipping and free 30-day returns. Their B Corp Certification means they have met the high social and environmental standards for ethical production and manufacturing practices.
Things to Consider
As far as cutting boards go, this one is on the slightly smaller side. Because there is only one size available, it may not be suitable for those who prefer a little more surface area.
4. Figmint Reversible Bamboo Cutting Board
| Certifications | Forest Stewardship Council |
| Size | 10” x 13” inch |
| Price at Publishing | $12.00 |
Who doesn’t love a reversible cutting board? The natural finish makes for a clean and classy look that fits seamlessly in any kitchen aesthetic. An FSC certification means you cook confidently, knowing the bamboo is responsibly and sustainably sourced.
Highlights
The edges of the board are tapered, so it’s easy to grip and lift. The lightweight, reversible design means more flexibility and function.
Things to Consider
Some previous customers say that even with regular cleaning, they noticed mildew after a few months of regular use. You may need to take special care to keep the board dry and stored properly.
5. Budget Find: IKEA APTITLIG
| Certifications | None |
| Sizes | 9.5” x 6” and 17.75” x 11” |
| Price at Publishing | $3.99 |
Always a good bet for affordable home goods, IKEA’s bamboo cutting board is a wallet-friendly find. Both sizes are made to be durable yet gentle on knives. Luckily, no assembly is required for this IKEA product.
Highlights
Both sizes feature easy-to-grip slanted edges and make great serving trays.
Things to Consider
With regular use, you’ll need to be diligent with conditioning and maintaining the board to prevent splitting and mildew.
How to Choose a Bamboo Cutting Board
With so many cutting boards to choose from, it can be hard to pick the one that’s right for you. Consider these factors when shopping for your next bamboo cutting board:
- Size. Like any kitchen accessory, it’s important to think about your storage and counter space. Consider what you most want to use it for, and look for a size that’s up to the task.
- Cleaning and maintenance. Most bamboo cutting boards need to be washed and cared for by hand. Some may need more attention than others. Always read the care instructions to get the most out of your kitchen tools.
- Form and function. Features like juice grooves, handles, or slanted edges are good features to look at when considering how you’ll use the cutting board day-to-day.
How to Clean a Bamboo Cutting Board
Here are some ways you can maintain the look and feel of your cutting board while making sure it stays safe to use:
- Cleaning: Hand wash your boards with gentle dish soap and warm water. Soaking the board can cause warping, so be sure to wipe it off and set it somewhere to dry so it’s not exposed to moisture.
- Sanitizing: You can use white vinegar or lemon juice to help naturally disinfect your cutting board.
- Oiling: A food-safe wood oil is the trick to keeping your bamboo cutting board looking like new. Once a month is a good rule of thumb, but how often you need to oil your board will depend on how much it’s used.
In summary, Bamboo cutting boards are an eco-friendly, durable alternative to those nasty plastic ones. Get the best of style and sustainability with a board that, with the right care, can be your meal-prep pal for years to come.
Featured image via Bambu
