In our century of high technological progress, new technologies and materials are used in all areas of life. Household does not go unnoticed. Housewives are regularly offered new items for the kitchen and home care. One of the recently appeared cooking appliances in Russia is a bamboo cutting board. How is the novelty different from traditional wooden cutting surfaces? Is it worth buying?
Bamboo - what kind of "beast"?
Bamboo products are always sold separately from wooden counterparts. Indeed, bamboo is not a type of wood, but a grassy plant. Its stems grow very quickly and at the same time are distinguished by a sufficiently high strength. Today, bamboo is used to make materials for decorative interiors, as well as cutting boards for use in the kitchen and many other small things. The attitude to such widespread use of this material is different for all buyers. Someone likes the novelty, while others are sure that a bamboo board is no better than the usual wooden one. We will try to understand this issue and compare all the pros and cons of products in this category with their counterparts.
Technology for cutting boards
Bamboo is a herbaceous plant with large diameter stems hollow inside. Is it really possible to make a board resembling visually wooden from it? The secret is in the latest raw materials processing technology. Bamboo stems are cut into thin strips, after which they are glued together and pressed. The laminate for floors is made according to a similar principle. An important question: is it possible to allow constant contact of food products with a board impregnated with glue? Manufacturers claim that a bamboo cutting board is much safer than analogues from other materials, and only harmless adhesives are used in the production. But still, if you decide on this purchase, make sure that the selected product is created without the use of formaldehyde glue.
Pros and cons
Most often, a bamboo cutting board is compared with an analogue of wood. Interestingly, the familiar wood species used to make kitchen utensils lose bamboo in many ways. The wood is softer, less wear-resistant and better absorbs moisture. Bamboo boards are positioned as very durable and resistant to mechanical damage. At the same time, such cutting surfaces do not blunt the knives and require minimal maintenance.
Not afraid of bamboo board exposure to moisture. Of course, you don’t need to specially soak it, but your kitchen "assistant" will survive cutting juicy products without damage. Another advantage of bamboo is its resistance to staining. Your board will retain its original color even if you cut beets and other products that exude colorful juice daily.
Are knives dull quickly when using a bamboo board?
Manufacturers claim that one of the advantages of bamboo over wood is its strength. But is it really a virtue? What qualities does a bamboo board demonstrate during operation? Quality products from well-known brand traders are suitable for working with knives made of any materials. In this case, the blades are dull moderately. What is important - when cutting, there are no unpleasant sounds (this is a specific problem of glass cutting boards). We can say with confidence that bamboo boards are a worthy alternative to wood, having a number of undeniable advantages. But why, then, is the opinion so widespread that the use of bamboo cutting surfaces requires frequent sharpening of knives? There are two reasons for this phenomenon: this is the use of low-quality cutting elements or the dubious quality of the board itself.
The subtleties of care
A popular question among housewives who have already managed to purchase this new product in their home: how to care for a bamboo cutting board? In fact, no special manipulations with this cutting surface are required. You can wash the board with the usual dishwashing liquid. Bamboo tolerates moisture well, but soaking in water from it is not recommended. After washing, wipe the board dry or let it air dry. An interesting idea: many housewives prefer to use bamboo cutting accessories as hot coasters or for kitchen decor. In this case, bamboo products can also be washed regularly.
Popular brands
This is unbelievable, but today you can buy a bamboo cutting board in many stores for only 100-200 rubles, and if you wish, it is easy to find an option and even cheaper. However, we are talking about products made in China, for which you are unlikely to provide certificates of quality and safety. In large retail chains specializing in the sale of kitchen and household utensils, products of this category of small size cost from 500 rubles, and medium and large boards cost 1000-3000 rubles. The most famous manufacturers: Kesper, Bekker, Bergner, Zeller, Mayer & Boch, Regent Inox, Hans & Gretchen.
But is it really important, under what brand is a bamboo board sold? World-renowned bamboo growers guarantee the quality of their products. Of course, branded kitchen utensils are more expensive than products from an unknown manufacturer, but the quality is appropriate. Buying a cutting board of a well-known brand, you can be sure that with proper care it will serve you for a long time and is really suitable for food processing.
Bergner Green Bamboo Board Review
Bergner is a well-known manufacturer of kitchen utensils from China with a good reputation. Speaking of bamboo cutting boards, we most often imagine a solid wood-like surface or a combination of stripes / squares of various colors. Green is a unique series that includes cutting accessories made from a combination of bamboo and silicone. These are standard bamboo boards complemented by resilient silicone edging. The Green series features several cutting surfaces of various sizes.
This line got its name due to the pleasant green color of silicone elements. Cutting board "Bergner Green" reviews are extremely positive, it is quite thick and heavy, so it does not slip. When cutting, it does not scratch or deform. Boards of this series cost from 800 to 1500 rubles, depending on size, but this cost is justified by a stylish design and consistently good quality. They say reviews about them.
Positive feedback on bamboo boards
Many housewives who have already bought a bamboo novelty in their kitchen do not tire of rejoicing at this acquisition. Boards from this material look stylish and fit into any interior. They also demonstrate excellent qualities during operation. The bamboo cutting board reviews is good as a product is durable, perfectly preserving its appearance for a long time. What is especially nice, this kitchen accessory does not deform, does not absorb odors and does not stain from natural juice products. The product requires minimal maintenance - just wash it after each use and dry it.
What do dissatisfied buyers of bamboo boards say?
Despite all the advantages of bamboo, among the housewives who bought cutting surfaces from this material to the kitchen, there are also dissatisfied consumers. It is worth noting that we are talking primarily about products of little-known manufacturers. Often, cheap bamboo boards look attractive in a transparent package, but after removing it, a variety of defects and defects are found. If the product has a poorly processed surface, separate chips fall off from it, it is not recommended to use it for its intended purpose.
A high-quality bamboo board should not have an unpleasant odor and visible glue smudges. Remember the simple folk wisdom: avaricious pays twice. If you decide to purchase a product from a material new to you, do not try to save money - it is better to immediately buy an accessory for cutting products from a well-known manufacturer with a good reputation. Such a purchase will cost more, but it certainly will not disappoint you, like a cheap bamboo board. Reviews of satisfied customers are a vivid confirmation of this. We hope that our review will help you choose a kitchen accessory that meets all expectations!