cutting board, commonly known as a “chopping block,” is an essential kitchen tool found in every household. In daily life, we often come across several types of cutting boards, including plastic, tempered glass, wooden, and bamboo. Each has its unique characteristics and advantages. This passage mainly focuses on plastic cutting boards.
Plastic cutting boards generally come in two types: one made of PE (polyethylene) material, and the other of PP (polypropylene). PE material boards can be available in various colors; thicker boards are layered and tend to be relatively cheaper. On the other hand, PP material has a higher density than PE, is typically molded in one piece (without layers), comes only in white, and is more expensive compared to PE material.
Advantages of Plastic Cutting Boards
1.Durability and Sturdiness: For example, a cutting board used for chopping ribs, a 30-60mm thick plastic board is suitable for home use. Assuming ribs are prepared twice a week, such a board can last over 15 years. When in use, it produces minimal shedding.
2.Environmental Friendliness: Compared to natural materials like bamboo and wood, plastic cutting boards are more eco-friendly. Taking a wooden cutting board used for chopping ribs (with a diameter of around 450mm) as an example, each piece requires timber from trees aged 30-50 years. The contribution of such mature trees to the earth is significant, and using them merely for cutting boards is indeed a waste.
3.Antibacterial Properties: Another advantage of plastic cutting boards is their antibacterial qualities. Unlike natural materials, they inherently possess antibacterial features due to their higher hardness, which makes them less prone to scratches and gaps where bacteria could thrive. They are also easy to clean, can be scalded with boiling water, washed with dish soap, and rinse easily without leaving residue. Additionally, they can be cleaned in a dishwasher.
4.Aesthetic Appeal and Color Variety: PE material cutting boards come in a variety of colors, making them easy to distinguish. In hotels, cutting boards often come in six different colors (each paired with specialized knives whose handles match the color of the corresponding board for easy identification). Generally, the colors signify different uses: red boards for raw meat; brown boards for cooked meat; white boards for dairy products; blue boards for seafood; green boards for fruits and vegetables; yellow boards for poultry.
