My Favorite Cutting Board
Written: Apr 10 '04
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Pros: textured surface, channel captures juices, resists stains and odor, wide handle, dishwasher safe
Cons: shows some knife scratches
The Bottom Line: A great cutting board for the kitchen ... even the Bottom Line agrees.
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Farberware 12x18-Inch Poly Cutting Board with Micr... |
I’ve owned the Farberware Poly Cutting Board for about six years now ... and the only reason I would trade it is if someone offered me a new one. Let me tell you why this is my favorite cutting board.
Description
This white cutting board measures 12" wide x 18" high x 1/2" thick. Both sides of this polypropylene board are textured and treated with a built-in antibacterial agent. This antibacterial agent is called Microban, which also helps the cutting board to not absorb odors.
One side of the cutting board is flat with a smoother texture, and the word “Microban” is embossed on the upper edge. The other side of the board has a channel about a 1/2" wide x 1/4" deep that runs around the entire inside edge of the board. This side of the cutting board is rougher and offers a bit more traction when slicing vegetables and meat.
The board is not designed as a perfect rectangle. When the cutting board is placed so that the side with the channel is facing upward, the left side top corner of the board is lopped off to form the handle. It’s an attractive design. The handle is rectangular with an opening 3 1/2" long x 3/4" wide, offering a wide space for a good finger hold. The handle also comes in handy for hanging this board on a wall hook if desired. The Farberware name is embossed on the surface of the board above the handle so that the name is not on the actual cutting surface of the board. (You have to look closely to see the embossing, as all the words embossed on this board are the same color as the cutting board ... they blend in.)
My Experiences
Even after six years of use, this cutting board is in great condition. If the board is held to the light, there are knife marks visible on the surface. However, since the cutting board’s surface is textured, the knife marks are not as noticeable as they might be. Best yet, the surface of this board is still virtually smooth. Running my hand across the board, there are no deep cuts or indentations. Even if I scrape my fingernails across the board, they do not catch the surface in any way. The board is still solid with an assortment of shallow knife scratches across the surface. Not bad for six years of consistent use.
This board has never stained. It’s still as white as when I purchased it. There are no chips or flaking on the board, and the channel that holds the juices is still pristine. Mind you, I don’t slam the knife edge into the cutting board, so I can’t vouch for how well the board will withstand an onslaught of cleaver cuts.
I primarily use the side of the board with the channel. During the summer I grow a lot of fruits and vegetables to preserve for use during the winter. The channel on this board comes in handy to corral these vegan juices. Chopping juicy red and green peppers, ripe tomatoes, zucchini, bok choy, onions, carrots ... this board catches all the juices so that they don’t flood the kitchen table.
Rarely is this board used to cut meat. Sometimes I will use it to cut chicken, turkey or the very occasional beef. There is no problem cutting meat on this board. If I were cutting a lot of meat (particularly bloody beef), then I would want a cutting board with a wider, deeper channel. As a rule, though, this board is used with fruits and vegetables.
While the flat side of the board can be used for less juicy chopping or for slicing bread, I seldom use this side of the board. I feel more secure with the cutting board’s “moat” protecting the table from my kitchen endeavors. (I make enough of a mess without having vegetable juice leaking all over the place!)
After all this time, the cutting board is odor free. Even dicing onions hasn’t left any distinctive aroma on this board.
Cleaning & Care
The cutting board easily cleans using Dawn dishwashing liquid and a sponge. Even though the manufacturer states this cutting board is dishwasher safe, I have never washed it that way. The board soaps well, rinses clean and air dries. No fancy treatment, and the board still looks great. I store my cutting board vertically in a cabinet. Since it is only a 1/2" thick, it doesn’t hog space.
Likes
* cutting board is a good size
* channel catches juices
* stain resistant
* odor free
* constructed of durable polypropylene
* handle is wide, easy to grab
* optional choice of hanging the board
* easily cleans
Dislikes
No matter how you cut it, cutting boards show knife marks. This board does, too. However with the textured surface, the knife marks are not as noticeable as they would be on a smooth board.
While I appreciate the addition of the antibacterial agent Microban in the board, a part of me is leery of having any kind of chemical imbedded in a product touching food. Granted, chemicals surround us ... no escaping them! But it’s still a niggling concern.
Purchasing
I bought this cutting board at a half-price sale at a local kitchen store and paid about $5.00 for it. Amazon.com currently sells this board for $9.99.
Summary
I’m very happy to own this Farberware Cutting Board. It’s a staple in my kitchen. Considering the use I’ve put this board through, it’s held up remarkably well. I would purchase another of these boards in an instant.
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Additional Information
Farberware Products
c/o Lifetime Hoan Corp Customer Service
One Merrick Avenue
Westbury, NY 11590
Please read my other reviews.
Trudeau Polypropylene Cutting Board
Ginsu 13-piece Knife Set with Wood Block
Oneidea Premier Flatware
Calphalon Flat Whisk
Rubbermaid Stain Shield Round 1.1 Quart Storage Container
Rubbermaid Space-Saver Dish Drainer
Sterilite Ultra Storage Drawer
West Bend Automatic Egg Cooker
Braun Coffee Grinder (and flax seed)
GE Top Freezer Refrigerator
Maytag Gemini Double Oven Range
Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 5.00
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