Although knives are some of the most important pieces of equipment in your kitchen, there are many other essential items that you need to prepare ingredients. There are some of these that you will use directly alongside your knives when you are preparing a meal.
One such item is a cutting board, which is also known as a chopping board or a food preparation board. These are made from many different materials and are available in a range of sizes, colors, and designs. A popular choice is a glass cutting board and the following is an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of glass chopping boards and a look at the alternative options.
Why Do You Need a Cutting Board?
A cutting board is an important piece of kitchen equipment. You need a cutting board for the following reasons:
Work surface protection– Preparing food directly on the work surface means that the blades of your knives will damage the surface. Using a cutting board will prevent this from happening.
Safety– It is safer to cut and prepare food using a chopping board as they are designed to prevent the food and knives from slipping.
Hygiene-A cutting board is a way of improving hygiene during the food preparation process. They are easy to clean after preparing each ingredient and can prevent cross-contamination if you use different cutting boards for different types of ingredients.
Carrying ingredients– You can use a chopping board to carry your prepared ingredients from the work surface to the pan in one go rather than taking several trips to carry them by hand.
The Advantages of Using a Glass Cutting Board
Glass is one of the most popular materials for a cutting board and this is because a glass cutting board has the following advantages:
- Durable- If you take care not to drop your glass chopping board, they are a durable and long-lasting option.
- Low cost- Compared to boards made from other materials, a glass cutting board is one of the cheapest options.
- Easy to clean- You can easily clean a glass cutting board with a wet cloth and some disinfectant spray. You can also wash glass cutting boards in the dishwasher which is a bonus as many other types of cutting board are hand wash only.
- Hygienic- Glass does not retain bacteria, so it is a hygienic option for use in food preparation.
The Disadvantages of Using a Glass Cutting Board
Like most products, there are also some disadvantages to having a glass cutting board over a chopping board made from another material. These include the following:
- The potential for damage to knives- Most knife blades are made from some form of steel. Glass is a harder material than steel and this means there is the potential to damage your knife. For example, you may get chips in the blade.
- Easy to break- Although they are a durable item, glass cutting boards are easier to break than many other types of chopping boards, such as plastic.
Take a look at the best cutting boards for your expensive Japanese Knives
When Is It Best to Use a Glass Cutting Board?
You can use a glass cutting board for any type of food preparation as they do not retain bacteria. However, it is important to clean the board between the preparation of different types of ingredients, such as meat and vegetables.
What Are the Alternatives to Using a Glass Cutting Board?
Glass is not the only material used to manufacture cutting boards, so you have plenty of other options from which you can choose. Just some of these are:
Plastic– The greatest advantage of a plastic cutting board is the price as they are much cheaper than the other options. Other advantages of this material are that it is non-porous, does not retain bacteria, and is easy to clean. The negatives of a plastic chopping board are that they are easily scored and need replacing sooner than boards made from other materials.
Wood– If used properly, a wooden cutting board will last longer than other types of cutting board. Any scores from cutting on the board will self-heal and wood contains antibacterial properties that prevent bacteria retention. On the downside, they are usually the most expensive option and they will warp if you attempt to wash them in the dishwasher.
Granite or marble– These are more expensive than glass cutting boards, but they have a visual appeal that many people like. They are also easy to clean, do not harbor bacteria, and they don’t wear down. The cons of these chopping boards are that they are heavy and they can damage your knife’s blade.
Bottom Line
Cutting boards are an essential piece of kitchen equipment that you will use regularly during the food preparation process. They are made from various materials and each of these has its own pros and cons. Glass is one of the cheaper options, so it is ideal for those on a budget. It is also one of the easiest to clean as you can wipe it quickly or wash it in the dishwasher.
Therefore, a glass cutting board is an option worth considering if you are buying a new chopping board for your kitchen.