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Can Teak Be Used for Cutting Boards? (Answered)

Are you thinking of using teak for your cutting boards? Are you also wondering whether or not the usage of teak cutting boards will provide any antibacterial properties? Are teak cutting boards easy to maintain?

Can teak be used for cutting boards?

Teak wood can be used for cutting boards because teak wood is a very sturdy and durable wood that prevent all kind of cracking, warping, and decaying. This is only feasible if you follow the proper cleaning and oiling routine for your teak cutting boards.

You should be aware of the distinction between teak oil and teak wood and whether or not both of them can be used for cutting boards so that you can avoid any confusion.

Teak oil:

You cannot use teak oil for cutting boards because teak oil is not a food-grade oil because it is a blend of other oils or ingredients that are highly toxic.

Several harmful ingredients in teak oil such as mineral spirits, turpentine, and varnish are highly toxic therefore you cannot use teak oil for cutting boards. 

Teak wood:

Teak wood can be used for cutting boards because it is a very durable and sustainable wood for cutting board usage.

Moreover, teak wood is also very durable for cutting boards because it seems to have a bit of silica in it which makes teak cutting boards more durable and sturdy.

Another advantage of using teak wood as a cutting board is related to the beneficial antibacterial properties of teak wood.

Accordingly, cutting boards made out of teak wood seem to absorb harmful bacteria from the food and thus can provide antibacterial properties to some extent.

Is teak oil food safe? 

Teak oil is not at all food safe and this is because teak oil is made out of such toxic ingredients that can be harmful when it comes in contact with food.

In addition, although the name of teak oil suggests that it comes from the teak tree itself but this is far from true.

Accordingly, teak oil does not have any natural teak tree oil in it, rather it is made out of a mix of other oils and chemicals.

Moreover, teak oil is made out of tung oil, linseed oil, turpentine, mineral spirits, varnish, UV inverters, and so on.

Accordingly, teak oil is therefore made with both synthetic and natural products, and therefore it is really harmful to use in any kitchen projects where it may come in contact with food.

Although the tung and linseed oil are somewhat non-toxic nevertheless, the turpentine, mineral spirits, and varnish are highly toxic and are not food safe at all.

Can teak wood be used for a cutting board? 

Teak wood can definitely be used for cutting boards because it is sustainable and durable in nature.

In addition, one of the reasons why teak wood can be used for cutting boards is related to the high oil content of teak wood itself.

Accordingly, this high oil content allows cutting boards made out of teak woods to repel water effectively which is why teak cutting boards are called water-resistant.

Moreover, teak cutting boards also have tight wood grains which again lead to a very durable cutting board.

In addition, another benefit of using teak wood as your cutting board wood is that teak wood is very visually pleasing to look at.

Accordingly, teak wood is very sharp and its texture is very uniform and it seems to have a very beautiful golden or orange hint of color to it which can uplift your kitchen’s look.

In addition, teak wood can also be used for cutting boards because teak wood is naturally equipped to not crack or warp easily and it can also resist fungus to some extent.

In addition, another very important fact that makes teak wood a suitable fit for cutting boards is that it is really easy to maintain.

Is teak better than maple for cutting board? 

There is no right or wrong answer regarding whether or not teak is better than maple for cutting board.

In addition, when it comes to durability, it is better to use teak wood for your cutting board because teak wood has the most durability out of many kinds of wood including maple. After all, teak wood’s hardness is equivalent to 2330 Janka.

On the other hand, when it comes to maple wood for cutting boards, maple is not as durable as teak wood as maple wood only contains 1500 Janka on the hardness scale.

In the case of sturdiness, teak wood is better for cutting boards because it has some natural oil that works as a protective layer which helps to prevent rot, decay, and warp to some extent. However, this is not the case for maple wood.

In addition, when it comes to the porosity of both wood, it is maple that is better for cutting boards because it has close grains which means it is less likely to be affected by harmful bacteria.

“3” reasons why teak can be used for cutting boards 

Several reasons can contribute to making teak wood appropriate for cutting boards. Therefore, being knowledgeable about such reasons why teak can be used for cutting boards can help you to mold your decision accordingly.

Durable:

One of the most important factors about teak wood is that it is very durable because teak wood has a hardness of 2330 Janka.

Moreover, this is why cutting boards made out of teak wood can withstand scratches and blows of hard objects very nicely.

Natural oil:

Teak wood has a natural antibacterial oil embedded within it which helps teak cutting boards to resist mold, infestation, bacterial growth, and so on.

In addition, the natural oil content in teak wood helps in making teak cutting boards resistant to water which potentially removes all kinds of bacterial problems which is why teak can be used for cutting boards effectively.

Sustainable:

Although teak cutting boards can be expensive, it nevertheless provides sustainability which makes teak wood susceptible to be used as cutting boards.

And if you invest in one good teak cutting board, it can last you a lifetime. However, you need to make sure to maintain a proper cleaning routine.

Are teak cutting boards antibacterial? 

Teak cutting boards are antibacterial because teak wood seems to have innate antimicrobial properties in it.

In addition, teak cutting boards are also antibacterial because of the natural oil content that is present within teak cutting boards and this oil contain helps to remove any kind of pest, termites, and so on.

This natural oil of teak wood seems to also hinder any mold from growing on your teak cutting boards.

Moreover, a certain amount of bacteria can also be absorbed from foods due to the teak cutting board’s antibacterial properties thus ensuring healthier options for you. 

How do you maintain a teak cutting board?

It is really important to follow a proper maintenance routine to make sure that your teak cutting board is not being damaged by mold or bacteria.

Accordingly, being knowledgeable about such a maintenance routine can help you to avoid unnecessary incidents.

Oiling:

One of the first things that come with maintaining teak cutting boards is related to properly oiling your teak cutting boards.

Accordingly, you need to make sure you use food-grade oil on your teak cutting board so that it can remain smooth, moisture-free, and this will also increase the longevity of your teak cutting board. 

However, you need to make sure you wash and air-dry the teak cutting board properly before applying any type of oil to it.

Routine Cleaning:

It is imperative to clean your teak cutting board after every usage and you need to clean them with soapy water.

Accordingly, you also need to make sure not to submerge the whole teak cutting board into the water for a while as it can warp the cutting board badly.

In addition, you also need to make sure to not put your cutting board in a dishwasher because the heat can crack, rot, or dry the board.

Moreover, you also need to make sure you follow a proper cleaning process after you cut meat or chop vegetables because these can stain your teak cutting boards.

Get Rid of Bad Smell:

Washing your teak cutting boards thoroughly will not suffice because you have to make sure that your teak cutting board is free of any kind of foul smell that may come from cutting vegetables or chopping meat on the board.

Accordingly, you need to make sure to sprinkle some kosher salt or lime juice all over the teak cutting board and let it dry for a couple of minutes to get a pleasant smelling cutting board.

Final Thoughts

Teak wood can be a perfect fit for cutting boards however it is quite expensive to buy. Nevertheless, teak woods’ durability, hardiness, oil content, sustainability, sturdiness, and so on make teak wood appropriate for making sustainable cutting boards.