In the kitchen, there’s one item that can make the difference between a rush to the table and a rush to the hospital: the cutting board. If you use the same cutting board to cut raw meat that you use to make a salad, you could be flirting with disaster. That’s because when different types of foods (raw, fresh, or cooked) are prepared on the same board, there’s a great potential for cross contamination.
One way to make absolutely certain this never happens is to purchase more than one cutting board. It’s the only way to be completely sure you don’t run the risk of exposing yourself or your family to food poisoning. Is a little diarrhea something to dread that much you might ask? Yes.
One of the deadliest bacteria is E. coli. And, if either the very young or old are exposed to it, either could die if they ingest the bacteria. That's the worst case scenario. The best case is everyone in the house could be hospitalized with serious internal bleeding and organ damage. Even if you've used the same board for years and have never had a problem, it's time to think about changing your cutting board use.
My favorite boards and how I use them
In my own home, I have a variety of cutting boards. I have a very large black granite-looking plastic cutting board that I use to prepare foods on and cut vegetables and that blends in with my black granite counter. I also have a white plastic cutting board with groove that I use strictly for meat. The groove catches blood or meat drippings.
The white plastic cutting board I use for meat is small enough to fit in the lower rack of the dishwasher so it can be cleaned and disinfected. This is only used for meat and it always put it into the dishwasher after use. The large plastic cutting board usually sits on top of my counter so I can prepare sandwiches or snacks and I scrub it often in the sink.
In addition to the larger plastic boards, I also have a small plastic board for fruit, and a large wooden cutting board that I use to cut and serve bread on. After using this number of boards this way for the past 15 years, I wouldn't know how to operate any other way and wouldn't go back to the single wood cutting board that I see dominate so many kitchens of homes I visit.
What do I have against wooden cutting boards? Nothing really. They’re beautiful, but they’re a maintenance nightmare in my opinion. We need to know our boards are sanitary and that’s why I prefer to use the poly plastic boards. They allow you to sanitize them which is most important, but they also don’t absorb food smells and flavors. If you’ve ever cut watermelon on a wooden board that has had garlic chopped on it, you’ll know what I mean!
Wood boards for vegetables, fruit, and bread. Do try to avoid using wooden boards for cutting raw meat. Instead, use these boards for fruit, vegetables, or breads. If you have to use a wooden board to cut meat, wash with hot water and soap afterwards. Never soak wooden boards in water or put them in the dishwasher.
Plastic boards for meats. Plastic boards are the best for cutting meats because they can be popped into the dishwasher. Why take chances? Your health is worth this extra bit of insurance. Clean with soap and water or place in the dishwasher if you've cut raw meat, chicken, or fish on the board.
Glass cutting boards.Glass boards are generally not accepted as wise choices for cutting. That's because the glass dulls knife blades. Use them as a spot for placing hot pans, general food preparation, but not cutting. Clean by placing in the dishwasher.
Keep your kitchen healthy by keeping your cutting boards clean and by using different boards for different foods. If it's required of commercial kitchens to ensure our safety when we eat out, why wouldn't you want to provide that same level of safety to your own family? Keep your food -- and your family safe - by using different boards and keeping them scrupulously clean.
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Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Everydayclean.com Calender -- the calendar that helps you end the power struggle with your house. Keeping a clean home is about knowing what to clean when. Virtually everything that needs to be cleaned is on this calendar in a year-round cleaning schedule that helps you keep your house clean easier and faster. Click here for more information.
