Wooden cutting boards come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types. The open edge cutting boards create a rustic charm, while the straight edge cutting boards are normally used and widely available. It’s more professional and is easier to clean than open edge cutting boards. The butcher boards have a natural edge, which is good in many ways but can be harder to clean, especially on the sides. Depending on if the bark is still on the board or not, the complexity of cleaning the cutting board increases.
Sizes of boards depend on the user’s requirement. In this case, your requirements. Sizes could range anywhere between 7 inches wide to 15 inches wide normally, but could extend to 20 or even 25 inches depending on what you need the board for. For most homes, a medium-sized board, which is 12 inches wide, should be good enough. For restaurants and professional use, where you cut meat and fish, you may require a larger cutting board to ensure that the meat/fish does not fall over the cutting board area.
This article is more dedicated to the types of cutting boards, especially the end grain and edge grain cutting boards in wood. For those who are looking for a glass or plastic cutting board, we suggest you check out the comparison article at the end of the page.
Wood cutting boards come in 2 types. The cut on the board signifies how well the board is constructed and how long it will last. The maintenance for each type of board differs significantly too.
What is End Grain Cutting Board
End grain cutting boards are chopping boards where the grains end on the top. To understand end grain cutting boards, it’s important to understand how wood is cut. Wood can be cut across the grains, which goes from the top to the bottom of the tree’s log, or horizontally, which cuts the tree across the trunk. When cut across the trunk, you have the grains facing the cut surface. This is called the end grain. End grain cutting boards have a particular set of features that are different from edge grain cutting boards. End grain cutting boards are also considered superior, preferred by chefs and professionals. They also tend to be expensive because edge grain cutting boards usually come in joints and take time to make. Single wood end grain cutting boards are really rare and very difficult to find, especially in royal wood varieties like teak. They may be available in mango wood and other wood varieties which are sustainable.
What is Edge Grain Cutting Board
Edge grain cutting boards are cutting boards cut along the grains of the wood. These are usually woods cut from the top to the bottom of the tree trunk. The grains end on the edge of the boards and not the surface. This cutting is the only variety you would find in bamboo cutting boards. With wood cutting boards, edge grain cutting boards may be available in single-piece wood or joint wood cutting boards. Edge grain cutting boards are often less priced than end grain cutting boards, especially if they are made of a single piece of wood.
Difference Between Edge Grain and End Grain Chopping Boards
End grain and edge grain cutting boards are different in their appearance, durability, price, and construction. The difference may not be significant in the near future, but over the long run, end grain cutting boards often outperform edge grain cutting boards by years.
Construction: Edge grain cutting boards are much easier to make. They are less labour-intensive and often do not require a lot of experience, especially when they are made of a single piece of wood. End grain cutting boards, on the other hand, are expensive. If crafted from a single piece of wood, the cost of the wood itself often is more than the cost put into creating the chopping board. If they are made from smaller pieces of wood, they are joined with glue and crafted later, which is often labour-intensive, complex, and takes skills.
Appearance: Edge grain chopping boards are simple and elegant. They have a linear wood pattern and a uniform appearance. The end grain chopping boards are often unique and have intricate patterns of the grains displayed on the surface. End grain chopping boards, created with multiple pieces of wood, are often a lot more appealing than those created from a single piece of wood and edge grain chopping boards.
Durability and Longevity: End grain chopping boards last a longer time than edge grain chopping boards, especially when they are perfectly crafted or/and when they are made from a single piece of wood. Edge grain chopping boards are prone to knife marks over time. The fibres tend to break, especially when cut across the fibre of the wood. On the other hand, end grain chopping boards are self-healing due to wood fibres’ flexibility, increasing the life of your chopping boards.
Price: End grain chopping boards are more expensive due to the complex work required to craft them. Single wood end grain chopping boards cost more for the wood itself. Edge grain chopping boards are relatively cheaper and more affordable. Single wood edge grain chopping boards are slightly more expensive than those crafted from multiple pieces of wood.
Pros and Cons of Edge Grain Cutting Boards
Pros:
- Affordable and easily available
- Easier to handle
- Ideal for basic home cooking needs
Cons:
- Prone to knife marks & scratches
- Can dull knife edges faster than end grain
- Requires occasional sanding to maintain its aesthetics
Pros and Cons of End Grain Cutting Boards
Pros:
- Self-healing properties that extend the life of the board
- Gentle on knives. Preserves sharpness longer
- Adds aesthetic appeal to the kitchen
Cons:
- Heavier and bulkier
- Requires frequent oiling
- More expensive
Maintenance of Edge Grain Cutting Boards & End Grain Cutting Boards
Edge grain cutting boards tend to show knife marks after the first few uses. This is unavoidable. The only solution is to sand the board once a month. Though your cutting boards will last a year with a clean look, it will deteriorate rapidly compared to end grain cutting boards. Oil your cutting boards frequently and avoid soaking in water. For end grain cutting boards, sanding can be done once in 2 or 3 months. You should not soak the end grain cutting boards either, and oiling once a month or when the board feels dry is recommended.
How to Choose End Grain vs Edge Grain Cutting Boards
For home, budget-conscious users, an edge grain cutting board is sufficient. If you are looking for a chopping board for lighter kitchen tasks, slicing vegetables and fruits, and cook occasionally, an end grain cutting board is a perfect choice. For heavy professional uses, chefs, and serious home cooks, an end grain cutting board is a perfect kitchen companion. The end grain cutting boards will last longer, add a visual appeal to your kitchen, and are considered a long-term investment in your kitchen.