Plastic cutting boards: features and choice

A kitchen chopping board is a thing that is always at hand with a good housewife. It is designed for cutting various products, cutting meat, fish. Sometimes cutting boards are used to serve cooked food. Previously, wood products prevailed in the arsenal of housewives, but today the choice of materials is much wider. On sale you can find wooden, glass and plastic models.

Quality plastic boards for the kitchen are made of polypropylene or polyethylene. These two types of plastic are not dangerous to human health. When they come into contact with food, they do not give them harmful toxic substances.

Some manufacturers offer models with a special anti-bacterial coating. This "shell" increases the hygiene of the product and prolongs its life.

Any models of plastic boards have certain advantages:

• resistance to absorption of strong odors;
• an obstacle to the development of harmful microorganisms;
• small weight;
• aesthetics - different models are available in different color variations;
• ease of care - wash the product is allowed with any detergent, possibly dishwasher safe;
• durability and reliability (for items made from high-quality plastic);
• affordable price.

There are chopping plastic boards and some flaws. For example, if the product is made of low-quality plastic, its surface may become scratched when interacting with the knife. Due to such damage, the object loses its hygienic properties over time - it begins to “absorb” foreign odors, and microorganisms dangerous to health multiply on its surface. Cheap plastic products can not be called practical and durable.

Another disadvantage is the "fear" of high temperatures.. This applies to cheap and expensive models. Hot ware should not be placed on a plastic object, otherwise it will lose its attractive appearance.

The stores offer a wide range of plastic cutting boards. Different models differ in shape, size, color, design features. On sale there are products of the following forms:

• square;

• rectangular;

• round;

• oval.

As a rule, color models have bright and juicy shades. They can be both monophonic, and with various images: fruits, berries, landscapes, flowers, pictures with various kitchen attributes. You can pick up small-sized products or large boards made of thick plastic. The latter are able to withstand severe mechanical loads, but it is still impossible to chop or chop meat on them.

Manufacturers produce boards for cutting products with or without handles. Models with a holder are more convenient to use. There are also boards on the stand available. Basically, these kits are performed in a single stylistic design.

Depending on the model, plastic boards can:

• equipped with specialized rubber buttons to prevent slipping when cutting products;
• be equipped with a container designed to discharge chopped vegetables, fruits, meat and other products;
• have “grooves” to collect excess fluid;
• have an antibacterial protective "shell";
• equipped with thermal protection (these are the only models that can be used as a hot stand).

Because of the huge choice of domestic and foreign plastic cutting boards, it is sometimes difficult to make the right choice and purchase a high-quality and easy-to-use model. We give the basic parameters that are worth paying attention to when selecting.

A kitchen cutting board is not the most important “tool” in the arsenal of a modern hostess. However, without it, it will be problematic to cook food without damaging the countertop on the working area of ​​the headset. When choosing an item, it is important to hold the product in your hand. It should not be too heavy and cumbersome, otherwise it will be inconvenient to use such an item.

The most "running" sizes of boards:

• 20 * 30 cm;
• 30 * 40 cm;
• 30 * 50cm.

Using large objects, as well as small ones, is not always comfortable, therefore It is worth choosing the optimal size for yourself.

The shape of the board is chosen depending on personal preferences, but experienced chefs believe that the most convenient objects have a rectangular shape. The colors and appearance of the product are also selected according to their desires. In order not to get confused about which board for which product is intended, you can buy products in the form of vegetables, fruits or fish for cutting the corresponding products.

If convenience is important, Preference should be given to models with handles, grooves or special grooves designed to grip the product. Models equipped with a hanging hole and “grooves” for collecting fluids that come out when cutting products are considered more convenient.

Choosing a cutting board, should avoid buying cheap and thin items. As a rule, to reduce the cost of such a product, manufacturers for its manufacture use low-quality raw materials. The result is an unreliable board, which will soon need to be replaced.

For any kitchen board need to properly care. Such measures will extend its service life, and also help prevent the reproduction of harmful microorganisms on the surface of the object. Plastic boards can be washed in a dishwasher or manually using a sponge and laundry soap or a specialized detergent. After washing, it is advisable to wipe the product dry.

To clean the board, you can use store cleaning products or soda. Vinegar (essence 9%), lemon wedge or sodium bicarbonate will help to quickly remove the smell. They are sold in almost any grocery store and, despite the low price, are very effective. To clean the product or eliminate odors, you need to soak the board in water with vinegar in a 1: 1 ratio, rub with lemon or cooked paste of soda and water.

On the advantages of plastic boards, see the following video.