Always use a fresh cutting board when chopping vegetables or meat. In order to stop bacteria from spreading on a wooden board, further precautions must be taken. Fortunately, there are measures you may do to safeguard your wooden board.
How to Maintain a Wooden Cutting Board
Wood cutting boards should be cleaned regularly to avoid the spread of bacteria from the board to the kitchen surface. Bacteria thrive in dark, damp locations, like the divots in your cutting board.
Wooden cutting boards may be easily cleaned by dipping them in a disinfectant solution. Any bacteria hiding in there will be eliminated this way.
After each usage, wipe off the cutting board. After each usage, the board must be well dried. Your hardwood board might distort or shatter if you don't.
The surface of your wooden board may also be oiled with mineral oil that is safe to eat off of. The wood is less likely to dry up and less likely to absorb scents from your meals if you do this. The oil also prevents moisture from penetrating the board. Apply it with gentle, circular strokes.
A clean rag or paper towel for cleaning the board off should also be on hand. Soap suds will be eliminated in this manner.
Cutting Board Sanitation
Bacteria may easily grow on a cutting board. Sanitizing it on a regular basis will keep this from happening.
Disinfectants are ideal for this task. Hydrogen peroxide, distilled white vinegar, or essential oil of lemon all work. If your board is constructed of wood, this technique will serve you well.
Sanitize your wooden cutting board with bleach water if you don't have any other disinfectant on hand. One tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of cold water makes a disinfecting solution. Your board has to be soaked for around 10 minutes in this solution.
The cutting board should then be washed with warm water. Sponge cleaning of the board is another option. However, harsh cleansers should be avoided should they scratch the board's polish.
A quaternary ammonium sanitizer is another option for disinfecting your wooden cutting board. Both the USDA and the FDA advocate for the use of this disinfectant. To determine the correct dosage, read the label carefully.
Renewing a Cutting Board Between Oils or Beeswax Applications
Renewing the oil or beeswax on a wood cutting board between uses is one of the greatest methods to keep it clean and free of bacteria. A newly oiled wooden cutting board not only looks fantastic, but it also helps to lessen the appearance of scars and scratches caused by regular use.
The method is straightforward. First, use some warm soapy water to scrub the heck out of your board. Vinegar can be used to clean the board if it has been stained. Then, use an antibacterial dish detergent to thoroughly clean the board. Remove any remaining soap by rinsing with warm water.
When it's time to apply the oil, you may rub it into the board with a towel. If you're dealing with wood, it's best to go with the grain. Doing so will increase absorption of the oil.
Use a light hand when applying the oil. Then, let it sit overnight to absorb. Then, remove the dust with a fresh towel. The board should then be placed into a tall, transparent plastic kitchen bag.
Cleaning Cutting Boards to Prevent Food Poisoning
One simple approach to avoid becoming sick from tainted food is to use clean cutting boards. This is because knife blades are not contaminated by microorganisms from cutting boards. Your food is still in danger from it. The good news is that sanitizing your cutting board won't take more than a few moments.
In fact, after each usage, you should clean your cutting boards. Because bacteria may live for up to two hours on a cutting board, it's best to wash it after each usage. Always use a clean, dedicated cutting board when handling raw meat. By doing so, you can prevent the spread of harmful bacteria from the raw meat to the cooked items.
The first step in sanitizing cutting boards is to wash them in hot, soapy water to remove any food particles. After then, the solution needs to sit for a while. The cutting boards should be rinsed with warm water once the solution has had time to sit. Next, wipe them down with paper towels to dry.
A weak bleach solution can also be used to disinfect wooden cutting boards. Use 1 tablespoon of unscented bleach for every 1 gallon of water in the solution.
