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Wendy S.
January 20, 2024
The best cutting board I ever owned.
I've always loved using end grain bamboo cutting boards because they are easy on knife blades. They also tend to be somewhat self-healing which I will touch on later.Until recently my main cutting board was a 12-in x 12-in two-sided end grain bamboo board which I loved using. Unfortunately it is a little bit too small for my current needs. Searching Amazon revealed the availability of only a few end grain bamboo boards. When I came across this board my concern was a few very old reviews that suggested there were potential quality issues. I decided to purchase it anyway knowing that if there were major issues with it when it arrived I could always send it back.I was very pleasantly surprised with the very high quality of this board. It is 16-inches by16-inches in size and quite thick and heavy. Because of its size and weight, It is a board you will probably want to leave in place permanently on your kitchen countertop.Although it is not mentioned in the description, this is a one-sided board only. The working side has a trough going around it which is both wider and deeper then most other boards and is intended to catch juices and liquids from carving meats and other foods.I had originally hoped it was a two-sided board without the trough on the opposite side so there would be a full unobstructed 16-inch by 16-inch cutting area. However, the reverse side is not flat but instead tapers a couple of inches from the edge to give the impression the board is floating when it's on your countertop. I was not disappointed because I quickly realized that the trough was not a limiting factor but was in fact a very useful feature even for cutting things other than meats, fowl and fish. Because the trough is over an inch wide and fairly deep It can also catch most scrap cuttings from things like vegetables or cheeses preventing them for falling off the edge of the board onto your countertop.Some people here have chosen the alternative cutting board sold by this company, the "extra large" Totally Bamboo - Bamboo Big Easy Chopping Block, measuring 19" x 13.5" It is a nice looking board but I was not interested in it because the cutting area is not end grain. And, although it is referred to as extra large, the surface area in square inches is actually identical to the 16-in X 16-in end grain board. However, that board might be more useful for those looking for a traditional chopping block rather than a cutting board as its name implies.Finally, my experience with end grain bamboo is that it is, to a certain degree, self-healing when cared for properly with food grade mineral oil. This board is no exception. The mineral oil gets into the end grain fibers of the cuts and expands them a bit. When the oil dries, normal cuts in the surface tend to be much less visible and may almost disappear completely to naked eye.I also attached 2-in x 2-in non-skid pads near the corners of the bottom of the board to prevent it from sliding on my granite counter. They work great. I don't want my board moving around while I'm using it.I absolutely love using this beautiful board and have no regrets with this purchase.
✔ Verified Purchase
Looks great, very sturdy, well built, and BIG!
This is a well crafted and very attractive cutting board. It arrived in perfect condition, and we let it soak overnight with a liberal covering of mineral oil which you can get from any pharmacy or department store (oddly enough) in the laxative section. The minearal oil (food grade) will help keep the wood from drying, cracking, and splitting.This board looks great, but it's HUGE! When we first placed it on our counter (marble slab island), we thought, "what have we bought?". We like the large cutting area, but with the legs, it sits several inches high on the counter. I considered trying to remove the legs to drop it an inch and let it sit flat on the counter, but the legs were very sturdily attached. Rather than mess up this beauty with my hammer, saw, and vice-grips, we decided to see if we get used to the height after a week or two. (Kind of like our first big-screen TV -- it seemed like a monster when we first placed it in the room, but quickly seemed 'normal' size.)This is a finely crafted board and I recommend it if you have a good-size counter. We've gone through several cheaper boards in the $50 range, and they didn't last. This guy seems like it will be around for a long time.
✔ Verified Purchase
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William B. Cocks
May 08, 2010
Wonderful to cut on
Pros:-Gorgeous. The bowls, and novelty of the design, make it even more attractive. Could be used at a party with bread/crackers/vegetables on the board and dips in the bowls-Amazing cutting surface-Bowls are attractive and easy to clean. The thumb hole makes them easy to lift out. You can also buy replacements.-Raised surface means the bottom doesn't get dirty or wet. You can also slide a plate/plastic cutting sheet under the board, allowing you to easily transfer cut-up items-Eco friendly-Sturdy but not too heavy to pick up. It can therefore function more easily as a tray for dry foods.Cons: (mostly relate to this style of board, not the worksmanship on this particular one)-Bowls fit very well into board, but if you move it when putting vegetables in and a gap opens, they can fall through.-The board might be more prone to cracks/warping because you can only cut on one side-More difficult to store on its side than a flat board (though you really should want to display it)-Bowls aren't big enough to hold large amounts of vegetables, and are a bit too big for something like garlic-Cannot refinish the board in 10 years like you can with flat boards (though I wouldn't be able to do this anyway)I have nice knives and wanted a cutting board to match. I bought this hoping it would be an item I would never have to or want to replace. It's only been two months, so I suppose this board is still in its infancy, but I have not been disappointed. Cutting on it is a pleasure. Like any board, it will scratch if you use sharp knives, but scratches are not noticeable due to the bamboo design (especially if you keep it oiled).So far, it has not cracked or split, and I have noticed no flaws in the board or bowls. I have been caring for it properly.If you're not willing to do the following, you might want a cheaper board: Oil regularly (once every week or two). After use, promptly wash with a soapy sponge, then wipe with a hot rag, then dry with a towel. Oiled properly, drying is a cinch.
✔ Verified Purchase
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nateroo
November 07, 2014
Lots Of Cutting and Prepping Area
It's HUGE! but i like it! very solid and the chop bowls are very handy when prepping a combination of veggies or whatever. i don't always need them but they're handy and very quick to wash/rinse and put back in their holders. one thing though, the board had a very distinct "smell" to it but I attributed that to the bamboo and freshness of the board. after washing, air dry, and (i always give my boards) a good mineral oil treatment, the smell is gone. it might be too big for the average counter area you chop, so if you have limited area, this may be too large. for those with an island or large counter area, then this is a great board!
✔ Verified Purchase
