Some of these say just hardwood, and some say made from rubberwood. Is the
rubberwood much better? Is there really a difference in quality with these
things? They are between 2-3" thick. Is thicker better with these? Thanks!

"Sheellah" > wrote in message
...
> Some of these say just hardwood, and some say made from rubberwood. Is the
> rubberwood much better?

It's just a cheap import from the far east and god knows what it has been
treated with. Try and get one made from hard maple, birch or beech - it'll
cost more but will be worth it and widely publicised tests have shown them
to be healthier than plastic ones.


Is there really a difference in quality with these
> things? They are between 2-3" thick. Is thicker better with these?

Thicker is not necessarily better. If you are just chopping vegies, a small
thin one would do as it's easier to handle and store. If you use a cleaver,
go for a big thick one.

HTH
Graham

Far as I can tell, someone wrote:
>Some of these say just hardwood, and some say made from rubberwood. Is the
>rubberwood much better? Is there really a difference in quality with these
>things? They are between 2-3" thick. Is thicker better with these? Thanks!

Rubberwood is supposedly more friendly to the environment because they
are easily renewable. The trees grow fast (10 - 15 years) as opposed to
a tree that takes several decades to mature, like an oak or maple.
Also, the are used for the late

The grain is very suitable for cutting boards and the color is light and
pleasing to the eye.

For durability in the kitchen, the thicker the better, esp. regarding
warping or cracking. Thickness can lead to cracking or splitting,
however, since the interior dries much more slowly than the exterior.

Water is the enemy of cutting boards. Mineral oil, it's friend. Never
soak one in the sink or allow water or blood to stay on it. The water
soaks into the grain and dries out the oils. Blood stains, smells, and
is generally disgusting. Clean it with a damp cloth, allow to air dry,
coat it with a bit of warm mineral oil, then wipe off all you possibly
can. It's the oil that soaks into the wood grain that protects it from
drying out. Never use vegetable or olive oil, as these will go rancid
and smell.

I have a rubberwood board, and a few of oak and maple. I can't really
notice a difference.