Do you use poplar wood-made cutting boards? If so, is it safe to cut foods on it?
If you know these answers, you are good to go. But most users don’t know whether the poplar is good for cutting boards. In this regard, we find our experience and go for in-depth research on poplar wood.
Eventually, we got all the answers and information regarding poplar wood and the relation with cutting boards. It’s high time you knew everything about it.
Therefore, we have solutions regarding your queries about the poplar cutting boards. So, hold your breath and keep reading.
Is poplar good for cutting boards?
Poplar is not good for cutting boards. It is soft, and it absorbs water and all other bacteria. Moreover, poplar wood is difficult to clean properly. It also takes time to dry properly and is ready to cut foods. For these reasons, poplar wood is not a recommended material for cutting boards.
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Still, people are using poplar cutting boards regularly. They claim that the surface is soft and easy to use. There are some other advantages as well.
However, disadvantages are more significant than their advantages. We will talk about them below. For now, you need to know what poplar wood is.
Poplar wood is a particular hardwood that manufacturers use to make furniture, cabinets, and other home appliances. That’s why it has become popular day by day. Recently, poplar-made cutting boards are also becoming famous.
Advantages and disadvantages of using poplar for cutting board:
Advantages and disadvantages of using poplar for the cutting board both has been discussed below –
Advantages
Hardwood:
Poplar is a hardwood. Therefore, you can make anything with it. There will be no issues; in fact, this hardwood can also be used for cutting boards. As a result, cutting boards become more robust and durable.
That’s the first advantage of using poplar for cutting boards. We are counting more.
Uniform texture:
Uniform texture is the second advantage of using poplar for cutting boards. It is crucial to have a perfect texture on cutting boards. Otherwise, it will not be easy.
Uniform texture is the unchangeable form. And, you cannot expect the cutting boards to change their texture now and then. That’s why it is the best advantage of using poplar.
Easy to work:
Easy to work is another advantage of using poplar for cutting boards. It will not be as simple as the poplar if you use any other wood. However, poplar wood is easy to work since it has a great texture and hardwood feel. People love to cut on it.
Lightweight:
Poplar wood is lightweight. That means it will be lighter than other cutting boards. It helps clean the board since you don’t need to carry any heavy hardwood.
Outdoor usage:
If you keep the poplar cutting boards dry, you can use them for outdoor cutting purposes as well. Typically, cutting boards are for kitchen and internal use only.
You cannot use every wood-made cutting board. But you can surely use the dry poplar cutting boards outdoors as well. You need to dry it properly.
Inexpensive and budget-friendly:
Poplar wood is inexpensive and budget-friendly. Therefore, you can quickly go for it and buy one only if you have a limited budget. Cutting boards made with other woods come at a high price compared to poplar.
Disadvantages
Scratches and stains:
One of the most irritating parts of poplar wood comes here. It attracts scratches and stains easily. Whenever you use this cutting board, you will have some dents.
Extra paint:
Poplar cutting boards need some extra paint over them. It’s a must-do job if you want to make your cutting board durable. Some extra paint makes the poplar boards hard and easy to use.
Additional paints create different layers on the board. That’s why it becomes sturdy and lasts for a long time.
Tear easily:
If you don’t care about the cutting board, it will tear easily. That’s another disadvantage of using poplar cutting woods. It needs special care to use it for years.
Not safe for food cutting:
Poplar wood is not safe for food cutting. The main reason is cleaning issues and bacteria. When you cut something on poplar’s wood, it takes most of the bacteria, and it will go with another item.
Moreover, you cannot wash the cutting board and dry it popularly. Therefore, when you cut the food on its surface, it’s not safe anymore.
Cleaning is not easy:
Cleaning a poplar’s cutting board is not that easy. You need to dry it soon; otherwise, it will soak the water and become useless. Moreover, the cleaning needs care.
You cannot treat it like other cutting boards. It has some bindings.
Additional cost:
To make the poplar wood durable and ready to use for a long time, you have to use the food-safe oil regularly. It’s an additional cost.
If you use other boards, you can save your thoughts. In contrast, you can use the board cream here. It is also a good way. But the same goes here too; you need to buy it and use it regularly.
Is poplar safe for cutting boards?
Poplar is not safe for cutting boards. We have already talked about the matter in disadvantaged sections. In particular, the poplar surface is not safe for foods.
The first reason is the soaking ability. Mainly, poplar wood can soak the water and bacteria quickly. Therefore, when you reuse the boards to cut foods or fruits, it will get some bacteria and create health issues.
Another reason why poplar is not safe for cutting boards is the softness. Poplar boards are porous. Therefore, using the knife will go deeper and let the boards get some deep cutting marks.
You cannot easily clean the cutting marks. They are deep and require intense cleaning. You cannot remove the deep marks in any way. After regular use, it will become useless soon.
How to finish a poplar cutting board?
To finish a poplar cutting board, you need to follow some tactics. You can use food-safe mineral oil to get an excellent finish. It is safe.
Poplar cutting boards are hardwood. They are rough and tough. So, you have to make an excellent finish before starting cutting foods and other stuff.
You can paint with different colors or use the coating too. Before that, be sure that the paints are food safe and the chemicals will not be there. Professionals and experts suggest coating on poplar cutting boards.
After applying the paint, you can use food-safe mineral oil. It’s a good thing. Oil makes the surface smooth. As a result, you can cut anything on it and clean it too.
How to use and care for a poplar cutting board?
Using a poplar cutting board is different from the typical boards. You should take care of it and do some pre-use jobs. To make things easier, we are adding the tips below.
Finish it with food oil:
Before using a poplar cutting board, you need to finish it with food oil or board cream. Organic food oil is the best option. If you plan to cut food and fruits, you should complete the surface with oil.
On the other hand, you can go for board cream if you need to cut anything else. This type of cream will also help to make the poplar’s surface smooth and easy to use.
However, you may use the board cream to cut foods; in that case, you need to buy the food-safe cream.
Oil it routinely:
The before using advice and suggestion has been provided above. What about after-use care? You should follow the same tactics to care for the poplar.
Poplar woods require oil finish and care. You should oil it routinely. Maybe, once a week would do if you use the board often. However, you should oil the poplar cutting board twice a week if you use it regularly.
Deep clean regularly:
Drying is another great concern for poplar cutting boards. It soaks the water and bacteria quickly. Therefore, you must clean the boards properly and deep clean them regularly.
That’s not all. You must dry the boards as soon as possible. Otherwise, the water and bacteria will be left inside the wood.
Should not put in the dishwasher:
You shouldn’t put your cutting board in the dishwasher. It’s not dishwasher safe. Therefore, it will lose effectiveness and quality if you try the dishwasher.
What woods are good for cutting boards?
Not all woods are good for cutting boards. You cannot use any wood and expect to use it for a long time. Besides, not every woods are safe.
Therefore, you must use the best wood to make cutting boards. Here you go with a list of good wood for cutting boards.
- Maple Wood
- Walnut Wood
- Teak Wood
- Beech Wood
- Cherry Wood
Final thoughts
Poplar is not an ideal wood for cutting boards. You will face some safety issues. First, it soaks water and bacteria very quickly. Besides, it’s a tiresome task to dry the wood and make it safe for food cutting. Moreover, you must care about it with oil or board cream to enhance the lifespan.