Just like a great chef’s knife is a must-have tool in your kitchen, an exceptional cutting board is also something that you definitely need to up your cooking game. Whether you are chopping herbs, cutting vegetables or meat, a cutting board will provide you with an area where you can work without damaging your countertop or messing up with other areas of your kitchen.
But here’s the question that most people ask
What type of cutting board is best for my kitchen?
The answer depends on your favorite knives as well as the type of food you cook. In any case, a cutting board is an indispensable tool for your kitchen. And if you are concerned about the perfect size for your kitchen, we suggest you must always go for a small cutting board. While you may need a larger one for different purposes, and that’s completely fine, even a small one can do wonders for you as well.
In this post, we look at the five best small cutting boards for your kitchen, but before we get into the details of each type, let’s first examine some of the key features you should consider when buying one.
Key Features for Choosing a Small Cutting Board
Here are some of the things you should consider as choosing a small cutting board for your kitchen.
Size
When you are choosing a cutting board, picking up the right size is important. You can find them with varying lengths, widths, and heights to go for a too-small one and can be used for serving or choosing the large 20” board that is large enough to slice a turkey.
Given that space is a major limitation in most homes today, it is best to go for a small one for everyday use and invest in a separate, larger board for occasional use. A small cutting board typically has dimensions of 8×10 inches.
Material
Perhaps the most critical feature that you must consider for a cutting board is the material it is made of. They can be made of several materials, including plastic, wood, bamboo, and epicurean. Let’s take a closer look at each of the material.
Plastic
Plastic is one of the most popular choices of materials for cutting boards. Plastic ones are light in weight, colorful and are dishwasher safe. They may be slightly tougher for your knife compared to other materials, such as wood and may dull your knife soon. But they are durable, BPA-free, antimicrobial and non-porous. In fact, plastic ones have a bit of everything you need for your dream cutting board.
Wood
Wood is also a popular choice for its materials as it offers many benefits. Wood is slightly softer than plastic, so it won’t be a bit too tough for your knives and won’t dull them. Moreover, since wooden cutting boards are heavier, they offer a sturdy surface for chopping. You can find many wooden cutting boards that come with a channel around the its edge to gather any liquids that runoff as you cut into juicy meats, fruits and veggies. You can find a variety of wooden ones, but the most suitable ones for your knife are the end-grain cutting boards.
Always remember that wooden cutting boards are not dishwasher safe. They require hand-washing along with some maintenance to keep them in the best shape.
Bamboo
If you are looking for an environmental-friendly option, then bamboo is the material you must go for. Technically, bamboo is a grass that grows quickly, is sturdy and is exceptionally functional. Bamboo cutting boards are resistant to moisture (and stain) and bacteria. Moreover, they are crack-proof, so it’s functional both in the kitchen and on the table.
Epicurean
With a wood finish cutting board that’s also dishwasher safe, epicurean cutting boards have a lot to offer. With a combination of food and food-safe resin, epicurean boards have the lowest environmental impact. Moreover, it is dishwasher safe and only gets better in appearance over time. And the best part is they are safe for your knives as well.
Ease of Maintenance
Different materials have different maintenance needs. Generally, wooden cutting boards require a little more maintenance than plastic ones. For wooden cutting boards, you need to keep them moisturized using a food-safe oil. You can also use beeswax to keep it in the right shape. You can apply oil or wax on the board’s surface and polish it with a clean cloth. However, this is not one-time maintenance and is something you need to do regularly.
Price
For most customers, price is a key consideration as well. But just like all purchases, the more features you expect from your board, such as bigger size, better durability, aesthetically pleasing board, and exceptional material, the higher will be the price and vice versa.
Best of the Best
Now that you know how to choose the right cutting board for your kitchen, now is the time to look at the best small cutting boards that you can find on the market.
1) OXO Good Grips Prep Cutting Board
The best small plastic cutting board you can find on the market is OXO Good Grips. It is dishwasher safe, so you can op it in the dishwasher after use and know that, unlike wooden ones, this one won’t crack. It’s made from polypropylene which makes it smell and scratch-resistant.
- Soft, tapered handles make lifting Board easy
- Non-slip edges keep Board from slipping
- Double sided use helps prevent cross contamination
- Durable, non-porous, odor-resistant polypropylene Boards
- Resists deep scratches and maintains sharp knives; 7.25” x...
You can find it grooved around the end of the perimeter so the cutting board can offer better protection to your countertop against the liquids as you cut into juicy meats, vegetables and fruits. Moreover, you know that the board won’t slide with the rubber grips as you cut or chop on your kitchen counter.
Its flip side is a flat surface that doesn’t have grooves, so if you are chopping something, this is the side you need to use. With the reversible side option, you can reserve separate sides for meats and veggies to avoid cross-contamination.
- Feet that keep it off the countertop,
- Flat and grooved-rim surfaces,
- Dishwasher safe,
- Available in multiple sizes.
- The grooved rim is not too deep,
- Design is not appealing.
2) John Boos Block R01 Maple Wood Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board
By definition, it may not be a small wooden cutting board, but if you look at the size options, this is the smallest one you can get for your kitchen. The John Boos Block R01 Maple Wood Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board is our top pick for the best wooden cutting board. It is sturdy and provides a lot of working space in your kitchen. Moreover, it won’t slip around as you chop your favorite herbs and vegetables. Furthermore, since it is reversible, you can use both sides every time you need a fresh surface to get started, and you can also avoid cross-contamination.
- Food preparation accessory measures 18 inches long, 12...
- Crafted from hand-selected American hard maple wood with...
- Versatile and solid construction with a reversible design,...
- Luxurious oil finish provides a protective barrier that...
- Since 1887, the American-made line of John Boos gourmet...
The wooden design of the board adds a lot to elegance and style. And the best part is the one year warranty that reflects the durability of the wooden cutting board. It requires little maintenance. However, you cannot leave it wet or in the dishwasher. Moreover, you will have to pretreat it before use. Regardless, the extra care is worth it.
- Sturdy,
- Provides a lot of working space,
- It is great for chopping,
- Comes with a one-year warranty.
- It is not dishwasher safe,
- You need to pretreat it before use.
3) Villa Acacia Small Wood Cutting Board – 12 Inch
If you genuinely need a small cutting board for chopping your favorite herbs and don’t want to get into the hassle of picking up a giant sized one, then Villa Acacia Small Wood Cutting Board is the one you need.
- Lightweight and easyhandle, this cutting board is convenient...
- Beautiful Acacia Wood - Made from dark acacia wood, a...
- An outer juice groove catches and traps juices before they...
- Handwash Only - As a genuine wood product, our cutting...
- We are an American company that is proud to source...
It is only half an inch thick, so it is light in weight, easy to carry and store. There are two small indentations that make it easier to pick up and carry the board. The tropical hardwood gives it a perfect appearance, and all the other desirable features of the board make it perfect for smaller chopping and cutting tasks.
It is also reversible, with one flat side and another grooved side around the edge.
- Easy to store and pick up,
- Flat and grooved-rim surfaces,
- Reversible.
- It does not sit flat.
4) Dexas Heavy Duty Grippmat Flexible Cutting Board Set of Four
The Dexas Heavy Duty Grippmat Flexible Cutting Board Set of Four is the best flexible small cutting board that you can find on the market. It is ultra-thin and comes as a set of four available in bright colors, so you can reserve on for specific use to help prevent cross-contamination.
- SET OF FOUR: Set of four brightly colored 11 by 8 inch...
- INNOVATIVE DESIGN: These innovative cutting boards are...
- NON-SLIP: The non-slip backing on the back side of each...
- BPA FREE: Fold and roll these cutting boards to easily...
- CRITIC APPROVED: Grippmats are the favored boards by home...
Despite being thin, the boards are relatively sturdy and do not slip. Moreover, they are easy to store and maintain. All you need is a little soap and water to wash it, or simply toss it in your dishwasher, and you are good to go.
The flexible small ones are made of non-absorbent and non-porous plastic, so they are stain resistant. And the best part is their affordability. The set of four is available at a minimum price that you won’t regret spending.
Despite the desirable aspects of the board, there are a few cons that you must know about. You can only use one side of it. Moreover, there are no grooves to hold on to the juice, so working with these boards can be a little messier for your countertop.
- Thin and sturdy,
- Does not slip,
- Pocket-friendly.
- No grooves to hold on to the juice,
- Single side use only.
5) Lipper International Bamboo Wood Two-Tone Kitchen Cutting and Serving Board
Last on the list is the Lipper International Bamboo Wood Two-Tone, which comes as a set of two boards. The two-tone bamboo wood cutting boards are the perfect small bamboo boards that you can find on the market. Made from bamboo wood, these fellas are environmentally friendly as bamboo is a natural and renewable resource. They are easy to clean, maintain and store and can also be used as a serving plate.
- Set of 2 small cutting boards with two-tone on both sides;...
- All purpose cutting boards are perfect for small and larger...
- Can also be used as serving snack plate
- Made from bamboo wood, a natural and renewable resource
- Easy to clean and maintain - Hand wash only
- Set of 2 small cutting boards with two tone side
However, the flat boards are not a great choice if you are chopping or slicing juicer meats, veggies and fruits as there are no grooved rims to hold on to the liquid. Thus, you may end up with a dirtier kitchen. Moreover, several users have complained about the durability, so it may not last long enough in your kitchen.
- Sturdy,
- Easy to clean, maintain, and store,
- Environmental friendly.
- No grooved rims,
- Compromised durability.
Final Words
Choosing a new cutting board for your kitchen may not always be one of the top concerns, but now that you know that you have to give enough consideration to several factors, we hope you will make an informed choice this time.
When you invest in the time and energy to come up with a well-thought-out purchase decision, you will end up finding the perfect cutting board for your kitchen that can be your knives’ best friend forever.
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