Cutting Board Frequently Asked Questions

What does "end grain" mean?

"End Grain" refers to the orientation of the wood fibers in the cutting board. Wooden cutting boards can have the wood fibers oriented in 1 of 2 directions. The fibers can either run along the length or width of the cutting board (known as "face" or "edge" grain), or they can be arranged so that the fibers run vertically through the thickness of the cutting board, known as end grain.

What are the benefits of an end grain board?

Using an end grain cutting board helps to keep a razor sharp edge on your knife as the knife edge will actually slice between the wood fibers, creating a sort of cushion for your blades edge. Thanks to the density and arrangement of the hardwood fibers, the surface of the board will squeeze itself back together as the knife is withdrawn. This helps give end grain cutting boards a naturally occurring antibacterial quality. Any bacteria or foreign material that may have made its way in the cutting surface during use gets pushed back out as the board surface self-restores, making cleaning the board much easier. This also has the huge benefit of helping to maintain the smooth and sanitary cutting surface as the knife edge will only leave the faintest mark. The combination of all of these benefits make end grain cutting boards a far more durable and superior choice when it comes to kitchen cutting surfaces. With a little care and maintenance these end grain cutting boards have the potential to last for generations.

How do I clean my cutting board?

Thanks to the naturally occurring bacterial properties of an end grain board, cleaning is a simple task. Using a lukewarm, damp, soapy cloth, wipe all surfaces of your board clean. It is crucial that all sides of the cutting board get the same treatment whether they have been used or not. This helps keep the moisture level consistent throughout your cutting board and reduce the risk of it cupping or warping. Rinse the cloth clean and give your board another wipe using the clean cloth to remove any left over soap residue. Dry your cutting board with a dish towel or stand it on edge on your counter top and lean it agains the wall to air dry. By standing the board up to dry you allow air to flow evenly over both sides of your board, this further ensures an even moisture content throughout the piece.

My board feels rough, what should I do?

Chances are, your board needs to be conditioned again. Our Rafter D Board Conditioner is made from a blend of food safe mineral oil, and high grade beeswax. Simply apply a small amount of paste to all surfaces of your cutting board with a soft cloth and leave it to sit for 5 minutes. This gives the mineral oil time to penetrate into the wood fibers and restore your board. Using the same soft cloth, buff the beeswax into all surfaces to give your board a moisture resistant coating. If you are out of Rafter D Board Conditioner, you can contact us to purchase more, or use pure grade mineral oil on all surfaces of your cutting board and leave it to sit until it is dry.