I just got a chopping block from importfood.com. I had been looking for
something heavy-duty, and this certainly fills the bill. It's made of a
thick horizontal cut from a tamarind tree, one solid piece, 9.5" across
and 2.5" thick. It's a beast. Interestingly, I think the entry on their
website said 2" thick, but I measured this one and it is definitely 2.5"
and a bit more.

It's also not apparent from the web site, but this has a nice handle;
it's made of plastic, but it seems very tough, screwed into the side of
the block. As the thing weighs a ton the handle is useful. I haven't
tried chopping anything on it yet, but I have high hopes for this.

When I first got out of college I bought a small chopping block, which I
loved. One day I set the crockpot on top of it to cook, and went into
work. When I got home the block was in pieces; the heat from the
crockpot had softened the glue and shrunk the wood, and it just fell
apart. I'm lucky the crockpot didn't fall on the floor and start a fire.
Anyway, I was so traumatized that I never bought another block, until
now. I guess the healing has to start sometime.

On Sunday, June 15, 2014 2:58:55 PM UTC+10, Travis McGee wrote:
> I just got a chopping block from importfood.com. I had been looking for
> something heavy-duty, and this certainly fills the bill. It's made of a
> thick horizontal cut from a tamarind tree, one solid piece, 9.5" across
> and 2.5" thick.

Looks OK, and a good price for an end-grain cutting board. End-grain boards are good, very easy on knives.

On 6/15/2014 12:58 AM, Travis McGee wrote:
> I just got a chopping block from importfood.com. I had been looking for
> something heavy-duty, and this certainly fills the bill. It's made of a
> thick horizontal cut from a tamarind tree, one solid piece, 9.5" across
> and 2.5" thick. It's a beast. Interestingly, I think the entry on their
> website said 2" thick, but I measured this one and it is definitely 2.5"
> and a bit more.
>
> It's also not apparent from the web site, but this has a nice handle;
> it's made of plastic, but it seems very tough, screwed into the side of
> the block. As the thing weighs a ton the handle is useful. I haven't
> tried chopping anything on it yet, but I have high hopes for this.
>
> When I first got out of college I bought a small chopping block, which I
> loved. One day I set the crockpot on top of it to cook, and went into
> work. When I got home the block was in pieces; the heat from the
> crockpot had softened the glue and shrunk the wood, and it just fell
> apart. I'm lucky the crockpot didn't fall on the floor and start a fire.
> Anyway, I was so traumatized that I never bought another block, until
> now. I guess the healing has to start sometime.

First lesson learned: don't set a crock pot on top of a wooden cutting
board/block.

Second lesson learned: don't buy a cutting board/block that was glued
together and then set a crock pot on top of it.

Third lesson soon to be learned: heavier cutting boards/blocks can be
extremely useful. Just don't cut your hand off.

Jill

On 6/15/2014 1:49 AM, jmcquown wrote:
> On 6/15/2014 12:58 AM, Travis McGee wrote:
>> I just got a chopping block from importfood.com. I had been looking for
>> something heavy-duty, and this certainly fills the bill. It's made of a
>> thick horizontal cut from a tamarind tree, one solid piece, 9.5" across
>> and 2.5" thick. It's a beast. Interestingly, I think the entry on their
>> website said 2" thick, but I measured this one and it is definitely 2.5"
>> and a bit more.
>>
>> It's also not apparent from the web site, but this has a nice handle;
>> it's made of plastic, but it seems very tough, screwed into the side of
>> the block. As the thing weighs a ton the handle is useful. I haven't
>> tried chopping anything on it yet, but I have high hopes for this.
>>
>> When I first got out of college I bought a small chopping block, which I
>> loved. One day I set the crockpot on top of it to cook, and went into
>> work. When I got home the block was in pieces; the heat from the
>> crockpot had softened the glue and shrunk the wood, and it just fell
>> apart. I'm lucky the crockpot didn't fall on the floor and start a fire.
>> Anyway, I was so traumatized that I never bought another block, until
>> now. I guess the healing has to start sometime.
>
> First lesson learned: don't set a crock pot on top of a wooden cutting
> board/block.
>
> Second lesson learned: don't buy a cutting board/block that was glued
> together and then set a crock pot on top of it.
>
> Third lesson soon to be learned: heavier cutting boards/blocks can be
> extremely useful. Just don't cut your hand off.
>
> Jill

Oh, NOW you tell me (typing left-handed).

On Sat, 14 Jun 2014 22:21:59 -0700 (PDT), Timo
> wrote:

> On Sunday, June 15, 2014 2:58:55 PM UTC+10, Travis McGee wrote:
> > I just got a chopping block from importfood.com. I had been looking for
> > something heavy-duty, and this certainly fills the bill. It's made of a
> > thick horizontal cut from a tamarind tree, one solid piece, 9.5" across
> > and 2.5" thick.
>
> Looks OK, and a good price for an end-grain cutting board. End-grain boards are good, very easy on knives.

9.5 inches wide is tiny! If I wanted to chop my food on a tree stump,
I'd find someone who was cutting down a hardwood tree and take a
section of it... but it would certainly be wider than that.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On 6/15/2014 1:53 AM, Travis McGee wrote:
> On 6/15/2014 1:49 AM, jmcquown wrote:
>> On 6/15/2014 12:58 AM, Travis McGee wrote:
>>> I just got a chopping block from importfood.com. I had been looking for
>>> something heavy-duty, and this certainly fills the bill. It's made of a
>>> thick horizontal cut from a tamarind tree, one solid piece, 9.5" across
>>> and 2.5" thick. It's a beast. Interestingly, I think the entry on their
>>> website said 2" thick, but I measured this one and it is definitely 2.5"
>>> and a bit more.
>>>
>>> It's also not apparent from the web site, but this has a nice handle;
>>> it's made of plastic, but it seems very tough, screwed into the side of
>>> the block. As the thing weighs a ton the handle is useful. I haven't
>>> tried chopping anything on it yet, but I have high hopes for this.
>>>
>>> When I first got out of college I bought a small chopping block, which I
>>> loved. One day I set the crockpot on top of it to cook, and went into
>>> work. When I got home the block was in pieces; the heat from the
>>> crockpot had softened the glue and shrunk the wood, and it just fell
>>> apart. I'm lucky the crockpot didn't fall on the floor and start a fire.
>>> Anyway, I was so traumatized that I never bought another block, until
>>> now. I guess the healing has to start sometime.
>>
>> First lesson learned: don't set a crock pot on top of a wooden cutting
>> board/block.
>>
>> Second lesson learned: don't buy a cutting board/block that was glued
>> together and then set a crock pot on top of it.
>>
>> Third lesson soon to be learned: heavier cutting boards/blocks can be
>> extremely useful. Just don't cut your hand off.
>>
>> Jill
>
> Oh, NOW you tell me (typing left-handed).

LOLOL!

Jill

Travis McPoo wrote:
>
>I just got a chopping block from importfood.com. I had been looking for
>something heavy-duty, and this certainly fills the bill. It's made of a
>thick horizontal cut from a tamarind tree, one solid piece, 9.5" across
>and 2.5" thick. It's a beast. Interestingly, I think the entry on their
>website said 2" thick, but I measured this one and it is definitely 2.5"
>and a bit more.
>
>It's also not apparent from the web site, but this has a nice handle;
>it's made of plastic, but it seems very tough, screwed into the side of
>the block. As the thing weighs a ton the handle is useful. I haven't
>tried chopping anything on it yet, but I have high hopes for this.
>
>When I first got out of college I bought a small chopping block, which I
>loved. One day I set the crockpot on top of it to cook, and went into
>work. When I got home the block was in pieces; the heat from the
>crockpot had softened the glue and shrunk the wood, and it just fell
>apart. I'm lucky the crockpot didn't fall on the floor and start a fire.
>Anyway, I was so traumatized that I never bought another block, until
>now. I guess the healing has to start sometime.

Why would you need anything under a crockpot, no heat radiates from
the bottom, and mine even has little dimples in the metal base to form
legs... I guess to raise it above any spills. I'm having trouble
believing that a crockpot could possibly radiate enough heat to melt
wood glue, I've never seen a warning that a crockpot must be used with
a trivet... they are specifically designed for countertop use...
people don't use trivets for bread toasters, not even toaster ovens
and they get a whole lot hotter. My six qt crockpot operates at 180w
(low) or 240w (high), and since it's on a thermostat it's not on all
the time... the bottom never even gets warm. Your story sounds like a
crock alright, a crock of poopoo. That "chopping block" looks like a
POS, it's too small and with that bunghole it's unsanitary. I think
Travis McPoopoo is a shill for import food.
http://importfood.com/tamarind_cutting_board.html

On 6/15/14, 12:58 AM, Travis McGee wrote:
> I just got a chopping block from importfood.com. I had been looking for
> something heavy-duty, and this certainly fills the bill. It's made of a
> thick horizontal cut from a tamarind tree, one solid piece, 9.5" across
> and 2.5" thick. It's a beast. Interestingly, I think the entry on their
> website said 2" thick, but I measured this one and it is definitely 2.5"
> and a bit more.

Is tamarind particularly dense or something?

My cutting board is 20" x 20" x 3", so I can't see how yours is all that
heavy.

My brother's chopping block is 30" x 30" x 16" (yes, 16" thick!), and
has four beefy oak legs. It came from an old butcher's shop...

-- Larry

On 6/15/2014 5:43 PM, pltrgyst wrote:
> On 6/15/14, 12:58 AM, Travis McGee wrote:
>> I just got a chopping block from importfood.com. I had been looking for
>> something heavy-duty, and this certainly fills the bill. It's made of a
>> thick horizontal cut from a tamarind tree, one solid piece, 9.5" across
>> and 2.5" thick. It's a beast. Interestingly, I think the entry on their
>> website said 2" thick, but I measured this one and it is definitely 2.5"
>> and a bit more.
>
> Is tamarind particularly dense or something?
>
> My cutting board is 20" x 20" x 3", so I can't see how yours is all that
> heavy.
>
> My brother's chopping block is 30" x 30" x 16" (yes, 16" thick!), and
> has four beefy oak legs. It came from an old butcher's shop...
>
> -- Larry
>

I just weighed it; it's 8 pounds. Without the handle it's a bit
difficult to pick up off of the counter, especially since I just greased
it up with beeswax/mineral oil cream. Tamarind seems to be fairly dense,
at 850 kg/m3, as opposed to, say, maple, at 755 kg/m3 or red oak at 700
kg/m3.

I would have trouble with a huge chopping block; my kitchen is small,
and I have very little counter and floor space. I think this block will
be just fine.

On Saturday, June 14, 2014 10:58:55 PM UTC-6, Travis McGee wrote:
> I just got a chopping block from importfood.com. I had been looking for
>
> something heavy-duty, and this certainly fills the bill. It's made of a
>
> thick horizontal cut from a tamarind tree, one solid piece, 9.5" across
>
> and 2.5" thick. It's a beast. Interestingly, I think the entry on their
>
> website said 2" thick, but I measured this one and it is definitely 2.5"
>
> and a bit more.
>
>
>
> It's also not apparent from the web site, but this has a nice handle;
>
> it's made of plastic, but it seems very tough, screwed into the side of
>
> the block. As the thing weighs a ton the handle is useful. I haven't
>
> tried chopping anything on it yet, but I have high hopes for this.
>
>
>
> When I first got out of college I bought a small chopping block, which I
>
> loved. One day I set the crockpot on top of it to cook, and went into
>
> work. When I got home the block was in pieces; the heat from the
>
> crockpot had softened the glue and shrunk the wood, and it just fell
>
> apart. I'm lucky the crockpot didn't fall on the floor and start a fire.
>
> Anyway, I was so traumatized that I never bought another block, until
>
> now. I guess the healing has to start sometime.

I was lucky enough to inherit a large maple cutting board from my mother. I do not know the dimension, and am not going to get it down from the upper cupboard just to measure it. A large turkey or beef brisket is always happy resting on it with room to spare. It has a moat for juices. Although it never has raw meat on it, I have sanitized it in the past. I also have given it a quick sanding and seasoning. I do not know how old it is, but it serves me well for the occasional large dinner.

DaleP

On 6/15/2014 7:49 PM, dalep wrote:
> On Saturday, June 14, 2014 10:58:55 PM UTC-6, Travis McGee wrote:
> I was lucky enough to inherit a large maple cutting board from my mother.

Uh oh. Don't mention you inherited anything or the Earl troll will
severely chastise you!

> I do not know the dimension, and am not going to get it down from the upper
> cupboard just to measure it. A large turkey or beef brisket is always happy
> resting on it with room to spare. It has a moat for juices.

The cutting board I have has a moat for juices. It's a nice thick
cutting board. I do put raw meat on it for cutting, but then I wash it.
No problems.

I use a separate board for breads. Never the twain shall meet.

Jill

On 6/15/2014 5:43 PM, pltrgyst wrote:
> On 6/15/14, 12:58 AM, Travis McGee wrote:
>> I just got a chopping block from importfood.com. I had been looking for
>> something heavy-duty, and this certainly fills the bill. It's made of a
>> thick horizontal cut from a tamarind tree, one solid piece, 9.5" across
>> and 2.5" thick. It's a beast. Interestingly, I think the entry on their
>> website said 2" thick, but I measured this one and it is definitely 2.5"
>> and a bit more.
>
> Is tamarind particularly dense or something?
>

Tamarind is about 56# per cu. ft and maple is about 45# Given the size
it is only a bit over a pound heavier.

On 6/15/2014 6:23 PM, Travis McGee wrote:
> On 6/15/2014 5:43 PM, pltrgyst wrote:
>> On 6/15/14, 12:58 AM, Travis McGee wrote:
>>> I just got a chopping block from importfood.com. I had been looking for
>>> something heavy-duty, and this certainly fills the bill. It's made of a
>>> thick horizontal cut from a tamarind tree, one solid piece, 9.5" across
>>> and 2.5" thick. It's a beast. Interestingly, I think the entry on their
>>> website said 2" thick, but I measured this one and it is definitely 2.5"
>>> and a bit more.
>>
>> Is tamarind particularly dense or something?
>>
>> My cutting board is 20" x 20" x 3", so I can't see how yours is all that
>> heavy.
>>
>> My brother's chopping block is 30" x 30" x 16" (yes, 16" thick!), and
>> has four beefy oak legs. It came from an old butcher's shop...
>>
>> -- Larry
>>
>
> I just weighed it; it's 8 pounds. Without the handle it's a bit
> difficult to pick up off of the counter, especially since I just greased
> it up with beeswax/mineral oil cream. Tamarind seems to be fairly dense,
> at 850 kg/m3, as opposed to, say, maple, at 755 kg/m3 or red oak at 700
> kg/m3.
>
> I would have trouble with a huge chopping block; my kitchen is small,
> and I have very little counter and floor space. I think this block will
> be just fine.

I used to have a chopping block on legs with casters, and I loved it. I
had to give it away just for the reason you cited - not enough space and
I found I was only using it as an extra counter top when cooking for
company and needed the space.

--
ღ.¸¸.œ«*¨`*œ¶
Cheryl

"Cheryl" > wrote in message
eb.com...
> On 6/15/2014 6:23 PM, Travis McGee wrote:
>> On 6/15/2014 5:43 PM, pltrgyst wrote:
>>> On 6/15/14, 12:58 AM, Travis McGee wrote:
>>>> I just got a chopping block from importfood.com. I had been looking for
>>>> something heavy-duty, and this certainly fills the bill. It's made of a
>>>> thick horizontal cut from a tamarind tree, one solid piece, 9.5" across
>>>> and 2.5" thick. It's a beast. Interestingly, I think the entry on their
>>>> website said 2" thick, but I measured this one and it is definitely
>>>> 2.5"
>>>> and a bit more.
>>>
>>> Is tamarind particularly dense or something?
>>>
>>> My cutting board is 20" x 20" x 3", so I can't see how yours is all that
>>> heavy.
>>>
>>> My brother's chopping block is 30" x 30" x 16" (yes, 16" thick!), and
>>> has four beefy oak legs. It came from an old butcher's shop...
>>>
>>> -- Larry
>>>
>>
>> I just weighed it; it's 8 pounds. Without the handle it's a bit
>> difficult to pick up off of the counter, especially since I just greased
>> it up with beeswax/mineral oil cream. Tamarind seems to be fairly dense,
>> at 850 kg/m3, as opposed to, say, maple, at 755 kg/m3 or red oak at 700
>> kg/m3.
>>
>> I would have trouble with a huge chopping block; my kitchen is small,
>> and I have very little counter and floor space. I think this block will
>> be just fine.
>
> I used to have a chopping block on legs with casters, and I loved it. I
> had to give it away just for the reason you cited - not enough space and I
> found I was only using it as an extra counter top when cooking for company
> and needed the space.

I have a chopping block on legs with casters and I love it. Actually, I
would hate to be without it since I use it for everything and it's like
extra counter space. In the old days I had a portable dishwasher with a
chopping block top and I loved that too.

Cheri

On 6/20/2014 7:06 PM, Cheryl wrote:
> On 6/15/2014 6:23 PM, Travis McGee wrote:
>>
>> I would have trouble with a huge chopping block; my kitchen is small,
>> and I have very little counter and floor space. I think this block will
>> be just fine.
>
> I used to have a chopping block on legs with casters, and I loved it. I
> had to give it away just for the reason you cited - not enough space and
> I found I was only using it as an extra counter top when cooking for
> company and needed the space.
>
Before building the house in SC, my parents had a huge square teak
chopping block on legs, I don't remember if it was on casters. It must
have weighed a ton. Dad went to all the trouble to have it shipped
back from Bangkok when we returned to the States. Then when they moved
here they didn't bring it along. I have no idea what happened to it.
That was one pretty (and big) chopping block.

Jill