Breville Bamboo Cutting Board Review - Breville BOV800CB Bamboo Cutting Board for Use with the BOV800XL Smart Oven

Amazon Customer Image from Old Gringo

This cutting board isn't a traditional bamboo cutting board, and by traditional I mean it being used for traditional cutting and chopping. This cutting board is used to sit on top of the BOV800XL Smart Oven. I guess you can use it to cut if you want as a last resort (if you broke your board before a party and you need to cut stuff up, for example), but from my experience it is definitely not used for that sort of thing.

Instead, you use it to put stuff on top of the oven! Normally this is a complete no-no in the kitchen - putting anything top of an oven is a surefire way of destroying whatever that item is, especially salts and spices inside plastic containers. But with this oven, you'll be able to reclaim that lost counter space from having the Smart Oven in there in the first place! Now you can put a lot of "stuff" on top of it without a fear of it getting destroyed by the oven heat.

Amazon Customer Image from Old Gringo

In the above picture, you can see that there's some pizza ready to be served. Instead of taking out the foil and lacing it on top of your table top so it doesn't burn the wood, you can use the bamboo cutting board as a serving pad! I think this is my favorite feature of the Breville board, so long as you don't have a lot of stuff on top of it prior to taking your food out. It also makes the table look wonderful and fancy, and you can use it even though you're not using the oven! On special family occasions, I like to use the bamboo cutting board to serve some sizzling Asian plates.

It also has some anti-bacterial properties, and the bamboo wood absorbs very little moisture. You don't have to worry about moss this way :)

Overall I think this is a great product. Like I said before, it's meant for the BOV800XL Smart Oven, so if you don't have that this product may be a bit weird. 

But if you're interested in buying this Breville bamboo cutting board, you can always check it out at Amazon. 

Totally Bamboo Malibu Groove Cutting Board Review

When I saw this product, I was really intrigued by how simple it was compared to the price on Amazon. There are multiple cutting boards available on Amazon for much less than $25.98, so I was wondering why the price for this one cutting board was higher.

Was it the quality? Was it the size? Is there actually more cutting boards included in this package? Whatever the case, I wanted to try it out and see my impressions.

Overall, I do think that this is a great cutting board. It's thick enough to be worthwhile and large enough that you cut some really large slabs of stuff, including meat and large vegetables. However, the grooves on the end of the cutting board need to be a bit deeper. Of course that would also require increase the thickness of the board, which would inadvertently increase the price, but sometimes it's just worth it!

Below are the Pros and Cons of the Totally Bamboo Malibu Groove Cutting Board.

Pros of the Totally Bamboo Malibu Groove Cutting Board

• Constructed from high quality Moso Bamboo (the good stuff!)
• Pretty good size (18" by 12")
• Thickness is adequate (3/4")
• The groove allows you collect juices so they don't run all over the counter, especially from leaky fruits and vegetables like Tomatoes.
• From my experience, it doesn't dull my knives
• Pleasant smell
• Strong and durable

Cons of the Totally Bamboo Maliby Groove Cutting Board

• The groove could be a little deeper.
• The price is a bit steep for a single cutting board. 

Amazon Customer Reviews of Totally Bamboo Malibu Groove Cutting Board

"I like the look of the side grain bamboo, and the build quality seems good after one month's use. While I am happy with my purchase, a couple things keep it from being perfect. Perhaps most problematic, the groove for liquids should really be deeper - of course, this may be impractical because the board itself is fairly thin. Also, for some time after I received it, very small splinters lifted off the surface. The flat grain cut of bamboo really seems to promote this, but I'm not too concerned because this problem has abated with multiple washings. This board really does need regular applications of oil."

J. Nadeau

"This is a primo cutting board. The groove collects the juices from tomatoes and other veggies so it doesn't make a mess on my counter. I'm able to pour them into the finished product and save all the good vitamins and minerals. It doesn't stain and the hard finish has yet to get a cut anywhere on it. I've had it for well over a year so any defects would have shown up by now. You can't go wrong with this one."

Tommie

If you want to purchase this cutting board, you can get it for about $25.98. You can purchase it here: 

If for some reason the above image is not showing, you could click here: Totally Bamboo Malibu Groove Cutting Board.

Please keep in mind that like with all wooden cutting boards, you absolutely MUST keep it oiled. Never air dry after washing, and never leave it in the dishwasher because this can severely warp your cutting board.

Totally Bamboo Review: Stripe Cutting Board Set

Let me first tell you that I am a fan of Totally Bamboo cutting board products, so when I heard this was on the market I wanted to get it right away. Not for me, of course. I already have a lot of bamboo cutting boards for myself, but I wanted to give it away to a certain friend that has her own cutting ventures. But I thought - hey, I should try this out first and make a review on it, so here I am! Haha.

Overall, this Totally Bamboo cutting board works pretty well for most household uses. If you just need to cut vegetables and some soft meats, then you can definitely use this board for that. However, based on my judgement of cutting board sturdiness, the totally bamboo cutting board doesn't feel as sturdy as their other products.

Below is a summary of the Pros and Cons of this cutting board.

Pros of the Totally Bamboo Stripe Cutting Board Set

• Made of Moso Bamboo, which is quite high quality
• These cutting boards have a VERY beautiful design. One of my favorites, actually.
• You have a choice between 2 or 3 cutting board sizes on Amazon. The 2-piece is only $11.97, and the 3 boards piece is $24.17. The reason for the jump in price is because the 3-piece comes with the much larger cutting board, while the 2-piece are the smaller ones.
• Environmentally friendly
• It has a nice smell to it unlike other bamboo chopping boards that smell oddly like glue...
• Because this board is made from bamboo, it's very light

Cons of the Totally Bamboo Stripe Cutting Board Set

• I'm not quite sure why, but there have been a lot of complaints of the board starting to "bow" or bend due to the thinness of it. This isn't really a con but more like a maintenance issue, but I thought it would be important to mention.
• They're very dry, which makes them prone to losing their sturdiness and quality after using. I highly recommend buying some mineral oil right after purchasing them and applying it in order to prevent any warping.
• Cannot withstand "heavy beatings" from the knife. This is my judgement based on the thickness and sturdiness. (NOTE: If you're looking for a more heavy duty bamboo cutting board, then I highly recommend this beauty)

Amazon Customer Reviews of Totally Bamboo Stripe Cutting Board Set

"These are good looking cutting boards though the photo makes them appear a few shades darker than they really are. (For accurate color representation simply look a several other bamboo products.). They are very lightweight and thin which makes them seem feeble, but they're not. 

Usage tips:

Condition with food-safe mineral oil - the manufacturer recommends every other day for the first few weeks then less so there after
A barely damp towel underneath will prevent slipping on the counter though I don't often have that problem - probably depends on what I'm chopping/slicing. The more pressure I need to exert the more likely the board will slip. True of any board not just bamboo. For those really tough jobs I have a bamboo board with non-slip edges."

Whidbey Mary

"I ordered these, really wanting just the large board to replace a plastic one that I broke. Thought I would give the other 2 away as gifts, but find now that I am using them regularly for small chopping jobs. They quickly clean up; they don't seem to absorb odors or stains (a surprise to me). Being only about 3/8 of an inch thick, they are relatively lightweight and easy to handle, and the handle cut-out is a good size for handling or hanging up."

Shirley L. Coursey

If you'd like to purchase the Totally Bamboo Stripe Cutting Board set, then please click on the Amazon image below to get your own today:

If for whatever reason you do not see the above image, then visit this link: Totally Bamboo 3-Piece Stripe Cutting Board Set.

Da Vinci Natural Bamboo Cutting Board Review: 2-Piece Cutting Board Set - 0.7" Thick

The Da Vinci Natural bamboo cutting board is actually just the right type for my family. The reason I say this is because it is very thick, about 0.7" thick, which is great because my father is butcher and we tend to crack, splinter, and go through all our cutting boards in a matter of months. A little mineral oil treatment on this cutting board and I guarantee this baby is going to stay with his for years.

The only thing I don't like about this product is the design, really. Other than that this product is fantastic. It smells nice and it's durable. What more can you want from a cutting board?

Below I have outlined the pros and cons of the Da Vinci Natural Bamboo Cutting board.

Pros of the Da Vinci Natural Cutting Board

• Very thick and sturdy. Great for those that chop with butcher knives.
• Very cheap in price compared to other bamboo cutting boards ($15.95 compared to $20+)
• Comes in just the right sizes. I can use both cutting boards - one for meat projects and the other for vegetables. There's no tiny cutting board that can't be used for anything, haha.
• There are no dyes or any other type of artificial coloring in this bamboo cutting board. That means that there is a lower chance of fading. And who wants a faded, splotchy cutting board?
• There is a carved handle for easy hanging.

Cons of the Da Vinci Natural Cutting Board

• This is not really a con, but it's not made in the USA. 

Amazon Customer Reviews of Da Vinci Natural Cutting Board:

"Experts suggest bamboo cutting boards, especially over plastic, due to the anti-microbial nature of the materials. These boards are lightweight, but still thick enough that they will not start to warp/curl as cheaper boards can. Others have talked about separation of the wood slats, but I've not seen any such problems after a month of use. (I hope they're not putting these in the dishwasher...) While attractive, I would say that these are definitely "working" cutting boards, and not what I would use for food presentation as they are somewhat small and do not have a groove for liquid runoff...fine for me, as I have other cutting boards or platters to use for serving."

Kenneth

"I was so tired of having either a heavy wood cutting board or the light weight plastic ones that I have been looking for an alternative for a while now. I saw some bamboo cutting boards at a store but they were quite expensive so I put off getting one. Then I saw these on Amazon and ordered them immediately. LOVE THEM.They are not heavy but are thicker than I thought they would be and quite sturdy. I have only used them for a couple of weeks now but they clean up well and do not easily scar. They look so nice on my counter top too.I cut up some fruit and cheese for a snack for my husband and I and it all looked so nice on the cutting board I brought it right to the table. Saved me having to use a plate. :-)I am going to buy some for my daughter and my sons! Great price!"

Kathee

If you're interested in purchasing the Da Vinci Bamboo Cutting Board, you can do so by visiting Amazon. You could also click on the link image below.

If you can't see the above image, then click here: Da Vinci Bamboo Cutting Board.

Do yourself a favor and stop buying low-quality cutting boards! If you want thick and high quality. this is definitely the cutting board for you :).

Where can I buy mineral oil for cutting boards?

In order to maintain the life of your bamboo (or other wood) cutting board, you need to use a good quality mineral oil. But you may be asking yourself; "where can I buy mineral oil for cutting boards?" Thankfully there are many online and offline places where you can buy good mineral oil.

Places to buy mineral oil for cutting boards

1. Recommended: Amazon

Where's a better place to buy mineral oil than from your own home? Amazon has a good selection of good quality mineral oils that are safe to use for your cutting board. I personally recommend Vi-Jon Mineral oil. It gives you just the right amount of mineral oil to use for your cutting board. It's also thick but not too thick and it tastes like nothing so you won't get the disgusting petroleum flavor on your cutting board.

Here are other good mineral oils that you can purchase online:

• Howard BBC012 Butcher Block Conditioners, 12-Ounce
• Mineral Oil Lubricant Laxative Relieves Constipation, Extra Heavy - 16 Oz
• John Boos Cutting Board Mystery Oil

NOTE: The mineral oil that relieves constipation and the mineral oil for wooden cutting boards are the same, unless there is some added medical components. Be sure to ask your store if it's safe to use on your cutting board. 

2. Stores that may sell Mineral Oil

• Bed, Bath, and Beyond
• Ikea
• Kitchen Kaboodle
• Sur La Table
• Some drug stores

A Note about Mineral Oil: Is it safe?

Mineral oil is a petroleum based product, but it is absolutely safe to use. You definitely do not want to chug it down, but using it to shine your wooden and bamboo cutting boards allows it to keep its shine and quality condition. Some people have even managed to keep their cutting board for several decades!

Are there alternatives to Mineral Oil?

If you are not comfortable with using petroleum-based products, there are many food grade oils that can be used. However some oils, like olive oil, should never be used for your wooden cutting boards. The reason is because these oil can spoil, which would leave a terrible smell and may contaminate your food with disgusting tastes!

Click here for more information about mineral oil alternatives.

Mineral Oil alternatives for Cutting Boards

Despite mineral oil's many helpful properties for preserving the wood in wooden cutting boards, it is made from petroleum. While the danger in using mineral oil for your cutting board is very minimal, it may be a good idea to use some mineral oil alternatives to avoid any possible medical problems.

Below are some really good mineral oil alternatives for cutting boards.

Safflower Oil

My very first suggestion for a mineral oil alternative is safflower oil. You can get a relatively large bottle (16 oz) for cheap off of Amazon for $9.95. I highly recommend Life-Flo's Safflower Oil.

Poppy seed oil 

If you're interested in Poppy seed oil, then Charvin's Poppy Seed oil on Amazon comes at a fairly good price of $20.42 for a 100 ml Bottle.

Herbal Oil

A really good brand of herbal oil is Bioshield Herbal Oil. This oil is made from the oils of linseed, so there are no petroleum products in it whatsoever. In addition, it is an oil that dries, so you do not have to reapply it as frequently as mineral oil to your cutting board.

Warning: Do NOT use these oils on your Bamboo or Wooden Cutting Boards

The reason why you cannot just shine your wooden cutting board with any type of oil is because some oils can go rancid. That means it can spoil, causing your wood to smell like death and rotten food. You definitely do not want disgusting smells all over your food!

Avoid oils like:

• Vegetable oil
• Olive Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Corn Oil

How to Disinfect a Bamboo Cutting Board

After you are done doing your chopping business in the kitchen, it's very important you know how to disinfect a bamboo cutting board. This is especially true if you cut with poultry or fish. Not only is the stench nauseating, but the germs within the cutting board can give you food borne illnesses.

Disinfecting your Bamboo Cutting Board

Since bamboo is wood, you can use the same methods as disinfecting a wooden cutting board. Bamboo tends to be much more sturdy and (according to some users) it has natural bacteria-fighting properties. I'm not sure about the last part, but it is definitely a higher quality than most.

First things first: Clean your Bamboo Cutting Board

The first thing you need to do is clean your cutting board. A bit of mild dish washing soap and hot water works nicely. Make sure you also dry it right away - you don't want to let the water sit as it can cause discoloration and perhaps mold growth.

Once you're done with that, you can start with the disinfecting process.

Method #1: Using Bleach

To create your own disinfecting concoction, simply mix 1 Tablespoon of bleach with about a gallon of warm water. Let the bleach mixture soak into the bamboo cutting board for a few minutes. Afterward, rinse off with hot water. Make sure you really get all the bleach off because you don't want any bleach in your food!

Method #2: Coarse Salt

Take about 1 Tablespoon of Coarse salt and sprinkle it all over your bamboo cutting board. You can use more for larger cutting boards. After, take a sponge and start scrubbing it all around. Rinse off when done.

Method #3: Baking Soda and lemon

Sprinkle baking soda all over your cutting board. Take your lemon (cut in half) and squeeze the juice all over the baking soda. You should see the baking soda starting to foam. Once all the lemon juice is squeezed out, you can use the lemon half as a scrubber to scrub the foam.

Let sit for at least 10 minutes, then rinse off the baking soda.

This is personally my favorite method since it makes my cutting board smell nice and citrusy.

(Note: in this video, Lisa Bronner lets the cutting board dry outside. I don't think that's complete necessary - I just let it dry for at least 10 minutes so the disinfecting process can happen).

Remember: Disinfecting your Wooden Cutting Board is Very Important

I know sometimes the disinfection process can seem tedious, but it is definitely necessary. If you don't disinfect your cutting board, you can get very sick, and I'd much rather prefer spending 20 minutes disinfecting my cutting board than 1 week at home with a food-borne illness.