You would need a good surface that is different from your countertop to carry out some kitchen tasks such as chopping, cutting, slicing, and dicing. However, if you are looking for the best wooden cutting board to carry out these tasks, a walnut wood cutting board is the perfect choice for you. It is one of the best natural woods that is sanitary built. This makes it safer and better than other materials used in making cutting boards.
Using the right cutting board extends the sharpness of your knife. A quality cutting board should always accompany a good kitchen knife. This is because a cutting board is as important as a knife in a kitchen. Read on as we help you decide on the perfect cutting board for your kitchen. Let’s look at the best 5 walnut wood cutting boards available on the market.
America’s Test Kitchen Best Walnut Wood Cutting Board Reviews by Consumer Reports 2024
Virginia Boys Kitchens Extra Large Walnut Wood Cutting Board
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Virginia Boys Kitchens Extra Large Walnut Wood Cutting Board is made in the USA from an enhanced American black wood that is kiln-dried, polished, and preseasoned to give it a dark chocolate hue. It is recommended to use VBK patented natural coconut oil to maintain a rich color.
This cutting board’s non-porous surface helps you retain the sharp edge of your knife and prevent it from dulling fast. It is impervious and safe from harmful bacteria and microorganisms.
Although this board is mainly for cutting, it can also be used as a serving tray during dinner. This option will make a perfect gift item for all occasions, including birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and housewarming. Plus, a refund is a guarantee if you don’t like the board. It is suitable for home kitchens and commercial kitchens.
This walnut wood cutting board will last for a lifetime if properly maintained. It must be washed manually after each use. The trench around the edge catches drips when you chop delicate ingredients.
With its large surface of 18 by 24 inches, you can cut large veggies with ease. This cutting board provides you with ample space to work on during food preparation for all kinds of tasks, including kneading dough.
Pros:
- Knife-friendly cutting surface
- Sturdy
- Extra large
- High-precision drip groove
- Reversible design
Cons:
- Needs to be seasoned regularly
Virginia Boys Kitchens Walnut Wood Cutting Board with Handle
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This American-made walnut cutting board is crafted from durable natural wood that will last for years if taken care of the right way. Backed by a money-back guarantee from the manufacturers, you are assured that this board is made of quality. The walnut wood is free from harmful bacteria, toxins, and paraffin.
Plus, it will not leak particles into your food. Unlike other cutting boards that quickly dull your knife, this option ensures your razor-sharp knife retains its edge for a long period and leaves no ugly dent on the board.
This 10 by 16-inch cutting board was designed with a handle for easy lifting. It is sturdy, durable, thick, smooth, and reversible. The handle features a hole that enables you to hang the board when not in use for easy storage. This walnut wood is resistant to warp or crack and has no sharp edge.
Since this model is reversible, it is safe to chop on both sides of the board. However, this beautiful kitchenware can also be used to serve or present foods such as pizza, bread, cheese, and charcuterie.
Pros:
- Free from toxins
- Built to last even after prolonged use
- Sturdy handle
- Easy to store
Cons:
- No groove to capture runaway fluid
John Boos WAL-R02 Walnut Wood Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board
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Suppose you need a cutting board with a clean, smooth surface and integrated handles – this is the best choice for you.
John boos Wal-R02 is handcrafted from strong walnut wood into a fine finish by skilled artisans. It comes backed by a year warranty against craftsmanship and materials defects. The brand logo is imprinted at the side of the board, providing you with a clean surface that is antibacterial, free from chemicals, and antimicrobial.
This heavyweight board has a reversible design that allows you to use both sides for any of your cutting tasks. Besides, the high-quality walnut wood prevents your knives from getting blunt. Featuring two built-in handles at the sides makes lifting the board easier. It is comfortable to hold when transporting the chopped ingredients into your pot.
With its 1.5-inch thickness, the cutting board remains balanced on your counter when in use. John Boos mystery oil or butcher block cream must be applied before the first use and regularly to keep the edge grain from dimming. Hand washing, drying, and oiling of the board are required to protect the surface and extend the shelf life.
Pros:
- Integrated handle grips
- A year warranty
- Large cutting surface
- Edge grain construction
Cons:
- The surface of the board is without grooves.
John Boos Block CHY-RA03 Cherry Wood Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board
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It is built from handpicked hard rock maple wood by professional craftsmen for long-lasting performance. This type of wood is one of the most durable and safest in the world. It is sustainably sourced and features no groove, which makes it hard to catch any liquid.
The smooth surface protects your knife blade from getting blunt than any other cutting board material such as plastic. This kitchenware has a substantial 2.25-inch thickness. It is extra thickened to provide maximum stability and has a wide surface that can handle all kinds of chopping tasks, including carving bones, slicing vegetables, chopping, and cutting meats. It is well-suited for restaurants and large kitchens.
This cutting board had been seasoned and polished with food-grade natural oil. It is durable and resistant to warping. This product is beautifully designed to add value to your kitchen and withstand all kitchen tasks.
The integrated handles make it easy to transport and rotate the cutting board during use. It can also be used as a serving tray. This model can be flipped to use the reverse surface. Both sides are flat, smooth, and clean.
Pros:
- Extra thick
- Versatile
- Built with quality natural wood
- Withstands heavy use
Cons:
- Quite expensive
Teakhaus by Proteak Edge Grain Carving Board w/Hand Grip
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Are you looking for an option that is stable and safe for cutting all kinds of food? This is the right choice for your kitchen needs. It is professionally handcrafted for long-lasting use.
Chopping all your ingredients becomes easier with this large board. It is solidly built with teak wood, which is sturdy and beautiful. Even after extensive use, this cutting board will not crack or warp up. Its longevity distinguishes this edge-grain cutting board from other options. Each board measures 24 x 18 x 1.5 inches and must be seasoned occasionally with mineral oil to enhance the life shelf. Handwashing with soapy water is recommended to keep clean.
This option looks great on your counter and is easy to maintain with food-grade block cream or oil. The built-in handle makes the moving and cleaning of this board easy. It is resistant to moisture, stains, and bacteria. Teakhaus carving boards are built to last for a long time and require minimal maintenance. It is suitable for cutting meats and other food in large quantities.
Pros:
- The wood is FSC-approved.
- Easy to maintain
- Integrated handles
- Food safe material
- Stain-resistant
Cons:
- Some users complained of rough edges.
How To Select The Best Walnut Wood Cutting Board For Your Kitchen
This buying guide will save you from choosing the wrong cutting board. There are several factors to consider when choosing a walnut wood-cutting board, and we will be looking at a few of them in this section. Here are the factors to consider; they include:
Type Of Grain
The cutting surface of a board is distinguished by the wood grain. Each grain comes with a distinct level of stability and durability. There are three different types of grain when it comes to wooden cutting boards. They are the end grain, the edge grain, and the face grain.
End Grain
The end grain has a contour that runs through the shortest side of the cutting board. This type of cutting board is built by joining numerous smaller pieces of wood together. The major difference between the end grain and edge grain is the length it covers. It is the most durable and thickest of all grains. Although end grain cutting boards are less prone to warp, they are expensive.
Edge Grain
This type of grain is also known as long grain. Although it is the hardest grain of them all, it doesn’t damage the blade. Edge grain has a contour that runs through the narrowest side of the cutting board.
Face Grain
This type of grain has a contour that moves along the whole length of the cutting board horizontally. Face grain cutting boards have fewer joints of wood.
Construction
The thickness of the board must also be taken into consideration when selecting. The thickness will also determine the weight and balance of the cutting board. The recommended thickness for end grain is above 2-inch, and as for edge grain, 0.5-inch to 2-inch is best.
Some walnut boards come with wooden feet, which could be long or short. They are much easier to clean after every cutting task and are more suitable for tougher cutting tasks. Options without legs are well suited for daily use and are easy to store. The thicker the board, the more expensive it is.
Size
Most wooden cutting boards come in two shapes, which are round and rectangular. When selecting aboard, it’s best to buy a size that your counter can accommodate. If your counter is small and you select a bigger cutting board, you will find it uncomfortable to use. The standard size for most boards is 12 inches by 18 inches, but there are others bigger than this, up to 24 inches by 36 inches.
Grain Tightness
The grain tightness of the wood determines the porosity of a cutting board. Woods can generally be classified into open grain and closed or tight grain based on the porosity.
Wooden cutting boards are well suited for cutting vegetables, slicing fruits, and herbs. It is also good for cutting meat and fish, but you will need to maintain the board after each use to prevent it from stinking. The fats and fluid from the meat or fish tend to percolate into the wood fabric.
When buying a wooden cutting board, avoid woods that are open grain with big pores, such as oak, cedar, pine, and ash. Grains with larger pores are prone to cracks and stains. They store up bacteria, which is harmful to foods. Woods with closed grain have smaller pores and are safer to use.
Handles
Cutting boards with handles are easy to lift and move, but not all wooden boards come with handles. Before you select, make sure you check out this feature. Handles allow you to use the boards conveniently. There are models with integrated handles and others with loop handles that can be hung after use. Settle for the option that satisfies your cutting needs.
How to Choose A Cutting Board – What is the Best Cutting Board? – Wood, Plastic, Bamboo or Rubber?
Conclusion
Even after cutting, you would want your food to be safe for consumption. This is why you need to buy a quality walnut wood cutting board that is free from toxins. Maintaining a walnut wood is quite easy and will only require frequent oiling of the cutting surface to extend life. Our top 5 choices are built with quality and are easy to maintain. I hope you were able to choose from the available options.
Jen Lin-Liu is the founder of Black Sesame Kitchen. A Chinese-American writer and a nationally certified Chinese chef in Beijing. Jen is the author of two memoirs, Serve the People: A Stir-Fried Journey Through China and On the Noodle Road: From Beijing to Rome with Love and Pasta.