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This adorable Pint-sized cutting board is a kitchen workhorse

This adorable Pint-sized cutting board is a kitchen workhorse. I have yet to look back since I traded my old plastic and oak chopping boards for Material Kitchen’s The reBoard. A good cutting board is a kitchen necessity, and the reBoard, constructed of recycled plastic and available in various beautiful colors, is one of the best on the market. But, more recently, I’ve found myself gravitating toward the lively board’s younger sibling: the (mini) reBoard.

Material Kitchen’s (mini) reBoard is a deliciously multifunctional kitchen staple that is also… [+] environmentally friendly.

Like the original, the (mini) ReBoard is BPA-free and eco-friendly, made of 75 percent recycled plastic (from kitchen plastic trash) and 25 percent sugarcane pulp. The biggest distinction is that it is pint-sized. This board is undeniably petite, measuring just over 13 inches long and 8.5 inches wide—but it’s a kitchen workhorse nonetheless. I no longer use a full-sized board to cut up an apple or dice cherry tomatoes; instead, I use the (mini) reBoard, which is perfectly sized for snack prep. It also serves as a little serving tray. I sometimes use it to hold my coffee and avocado toast, which I create straight on the board; at parties, I frequently exhibit flavorful cheese balls and charcuterie atop its colorful surface.

Furthermore, the smaller size means it takes up very little counter space, which is useful when making large dinners and concerned about cross-contamination. While I dice meat on a standard-size board, I can prep vegetables on the (mini) reBoard—and my worktops remain uncluttered. Best of all, when I’m using it, the petite board never slides across the counter, which may be very dangerous if a sharp knife is involved.

Of course, I like the (mini) reBoard for more than just its functionality—it’s also beautiful to look at. The board comes in six appealing colors, like dusty pink, deep blue, and golden yellow, to mention a few. It provides a bright splash of color to a kitchen. (Although its petite size makes it easy for me to store it in a cabinet or drawer, I like to leave mine out.) The (mini), like its older cousin, is dishwasher-safe; every time I run it through a cycle, it comes out perfectly clean with no stains or residual odors.

Pint-sized cutting board

2. TeakHaus Professional Cutting Board

 

With its medium hardness and inherent water resistance, Teak would appear to be a perfect wood for cutting boards—and TeakHaus’ heavy-duty entry backs this up, making it one of the best cutting boards.

Working with this magnificent edge-grain board is a breeze, thanks to its vast dimensions that make prepping and arranging several ingredients at once a breeze. All but the deepest cuts tend to disappear on the rich, dark surface; cleanup is a breeze, with difficult stains (like chipotle peppers in adobo) wiping away with just hot, soapy water; and because teak requires less oiling than other woods, it’s as low maintenance as cutting boards go.

However, the smallest form of this board measures 16x12x1.5 inches and weighs 10 pounds, while the largest version measures 24x18x1.5 inches and weighs 15 pounds. Purchasing one that is too large will make cleaning, storing, and even just lifting it more difficult. In addition, the high silica content of teak may hasten the dulling of your blades over time.

However, if you find your perfect match, you may just realize, as we did during testing, that TeakHaus’ cutting board can solve many of your cooking problems.

3. NoTrax Sani-Tuff Premium Rubber Cutting Board

 

If you need a heavy-duty cutting board, the NoTrax Sani-Tuff is built to last. It’s made of 100% high density, anti-microbial rubber composition and is made to last with a non-skid surface. This also means that the surface is impervious to liquids, microorganisms, and scents.

It’s quite hefty, so some people may have difficulty lifting and transporting it about the kitchen. The strong and sturdy construction, on the other hand, allows cutting vegetables and raw meat considerably easier without slipping around. In general, we found the NoTrax cutting board to be simple to use, with little absorption of pigment from beets or carrots in our’staining’ testing. Its large surface area is also adequate for large prep activities or numerous jobs at once, which is why it is now one of the best cutting boards.

The only regret was the evident knife marks on the board’s surface. If you have a little patience, you can resurface this with sanding. Furthermore, cleaning is done by hand only and is simple with soapy water, but it may require some effort because to its size and weight. The NoTrax cutting board is now available in a variety of forms and sizes to meet your specific cooking requirements. It has a high price tag, but you get a heavy-duty board that is built to last.

Pint-sized cutting board

4. Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting and Chopping Board

The Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting and Chopping Board is ideal if you prefer a lightweight cutting board over a large and bulky one. It’s made of RichLite paper composite, which is non-porous, heat-resistant, and removes odors and bacteria. Best of all, it weighs only 1.5 pounds, making it ideal if you don’t want to fight with a heavy cutting board.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s not as thick as the greatest wooden chopping boards. It has a strong, solid surface, and if you can ignore the ‘clacking’ noise as you cut, you can quickly slice and dice small portions. More crucially, because of the non-porous surface, it performed well in our’staining’ testing. However, it was too small and awkward to cut raw meat portions, and after testing, it showed a few knife nicks.

The Epicurean cutting board’s only flaw is the lack of non-slip feet or grips, which is disappointing. This would assist it stay firmly in place on the countertop, which it does from time to time. We also noticed that the board is quite flat, so a drip-catch mechanism for any liquids that run-off would be useful. After cutting luscious oranges and tomatoes, this was the case. Having saying that, the board is incredibly simple to clean and can even go in the dishwasher. Furthermore, it is the ideal size for handling, is user-friendly, and can be hung up for storage. The Epicurean cutting board is ideal for small prep tasks or households that do not require a large cutting board.

Pint-sized cutting board

5. Shun Hinoki Cutting & Carving Board

Shun Cutlery, a renowned Japanese knife manufacturer, has created an edge-grain cutting board that is both comfortable and enjoyable to use. It’s made of hinoki, a Japanese cypress with inherent antibacterial and antifungal characteristics that are ideal for the kitchen; Shun also advertises the citrus-scented “medium-soft wood”‘s capacity to “preserve the edges” of your silverware. We discovered that it did have a slight aroma, but we were curious to see how it performed in everyday use.

Our testing confirmed this, and the board performed admirably on all standard cutting jobs while remaining stain-free, making it one of the best cutting boards. (Shun recommends wetting the board before each usage to help with this, which you may or may not find desirable.) However, at the end of our first round of tests, the board had received a number of deep, obvious cuts – that’s the softness of the hinoki for you. At the very least, the board is reversible, however only one side features the attractive Shun logo branding in the upper-left corner.

Whether or not this board will benefit your knives or be a good long-term investment will depend on how (and how often) you cook. It’s certainly soft on the blade, but you should expect some knife marks on the surface as a result.

Who knew a colorful mini-cutting board could make even the most tiresome cooking duties more enjoyable?

 

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