When we read roundups of cutting boards, there are usually three categories: wood, bamboo, and plastic. Nothing against those three (we've blogged our love of wood boards before), but we really like these Epicurean boards — called, ahem, cutting surfaces by the company — and they are sort of a hybrid. The non-conformists of the group, if you will...
Good Product: Epicurean Cutting Surfaces
These boards have the look and soft feel of wood, but they are actually made of layers of paper that are soaked in a resin and cured to make one bonded piece of material. They aren't damaging to knives and look natural in our kitchen, just like wood.
BUT they are dishwasher safe, like plastic, and require no maintenance to keep them firm and smooth. Our favorite feature? They're thin. We have two that we slide in behind our knife block on the counter. They obviously aren't as weighty and comforting to chop on as a big slab of wood, but they feel substantial and take up much, much less space in a small kitchen.
Epicurean sells pizza peels (the material is heat resistant) and a whole line of boards, from carving boards to a gripper series with silicone feet. The paper used to make them is harvested under the guidelines of the North America Sustainable Forestry Standards, according to the Epicurean website.
The line is available at plenty of big chain stores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Williams-Sonoma.
Related:
Earth Day: Cork and Teak Cutting Boards
What's the Best Kind of Cutting Board? Plastic, Wood, or Bamboo?
(Image: Epicurean)
Comments (10)
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I have one of these and I love it. I've been using it for a few months and it has no scratches, it cleans up nicely and it is easy to store becuse it is so thin. The only odd thing is the wet cardboard smell it gets when I wash it -- it make me wonder if the paper fiber is breaking down, but it doesn't seem to be getting warped or anything.
view robyn's profile
We use two of them at home, and have been using them for a few years. Love them! They barely show any wear, and we use them alot. And being able to just put them in the dishwasher is the icing on the cake.
view thesamanthafiles 's profile
I have had one of the black ones for several months. I've only recently noticed that when I use this cutting board, I end up with a bit of the black surface mixed in with my veggies. I'm a bit disappointed, but it sure beats having unknown chemicals (from plastic cutting boards) mixed in with my food.
view nickiwoods's profile
I sang my praises on the Boos Block post--I have a bar sized little one, a medium one and one of those huge ones with a carving channel. I have bad wrists and I love that these are easy to carry over to the stove to sweep onions into a pan, etc. I'm also not that tall, so the thin board that doesn't add 2 inches of counter height is a plus for me. My mom gave me the little and medium ones as a shower gift and after two years of HARD use they are in great shape.
view katef's profile
I have one and like it as well, although I've noticed that when I stand it upright after washing, it tends to warp slightly. So I've started to dry it lying down flat on a dish towel. Anyone else experience this?
view mrsemerald's profile
nickiwoods- The company addresses the residue on the website. They say it's non-toxic (and shows up more with the black boards) but you can use a fine grit sandpaper to smooth them out if it bothers you. Read the answer here.
view Elizabeth P's profile
My mom got me a couple of these, a medium one with a carving channel and a large one. I use them every day and I'm very happy with them. The large one also doubles as a peel for my frequent bread and pizza making--the material is wonderfully heat resistant and doesn't seem to mind spending a few moments on 500-degree baking tiles. They double as emergency trivets for the same reason (I have a small kitchen and have to make my kitchen tools multitask as much as possible).
view jooleeyet's profile
My mom has these. I must be the only person on the planet that doesn't like them. I find them way too hard.
view m!'s profile
Thank you Elizabeth P. I'll have to pick up some sandpaper.
view nickiwoods's profile
i have a medium one and a small one that I have had for several months now. I love how easy they are to clean - especially since you can throw them in the dishwasher! I use mine as a cooling spot for taking cookies out of the convection oven and so many more things. Since they are really light, I use them for sliding things into the oven and taking things out.Basically, I love them.
view Tdamji's profile