Chopping/Cutting board options

[Antonyweeks]

Morning

My old white poly chopping board is probably needing to be replaced. It's approx 75cm x 50cm. I use this on top of a steel table and both are easy to keep clean when I'm butchering. Researching replacing the poly chopping board surprised me with how expensive they are. For the size I want (approx. 100cm by 50cm by 2cm) prices range from £180 - £300.
I've also got a length of end grain oak kitchen worktop spare which I could easily size to a chopping board.
The questions are these - is there any hygienic difference between a wooden butchery cutting board and the poly boards? Secondly, most of the local butchers I know still use traditional butchers blocks so there has to be something about these that is 'better' than the poly boards. Yet the poly boards look like they would be much easier to clean! I'd imagine the poly boards are harder on the knife edges too.

It's a first world issue I grant you, but I would be interested in other folk's thoughts on the matter!

 

[VSS]

The traditional wooden butcher's block is much easier to clean than a poly board. And, being end grain, they "self heal", so you don't end up with a rough surface like you do with a poly. And, as you rightly surmise, the wood is much kinder on knives.
Provided a wooden block is in good condition it is more hygienic, but once they start getting cracks or start opening up they're no longer hygienic.
I have, sadly, just replaced my old wooden block with poly because it was starting to come apart after many years. I miss it.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Use a wire brush to recondition the wood end grain versions by skimming off the damaged surface like the butchers do..

 

[VSS]

Use a wire brush to recondition the wood end grain versions by skimming off the damaged surface like the butchers do..

Likewise, you can recondition a knackered polyprop chopping board using an electric planer.

From this:


To this:

 

[Antonyweeks]

That's a good ideal although my current board is only about 2cm thick. What's the rationale behind the deep poly boards?

 

[VSS]

That's a good ideal although my current board is only about 2cm thick. What's the rationale behind the deep poly boards?

Gives you the same sort of solidity to work on as a traditional butchers block.

 

[sauer]

Plastic Chopping Boards - Chopping Boards | Plastic Chopping Boards

Plastic chopping boards are the backbone of all culinary masterpieces. It's the piece of kitchen equipment that often gets overlooked. Buy yours online today

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Your sizes in 20mm thickness red comes out at £173

 

[SCC]

700 x 500 x 22mm White

 

[eldon]

Nesbitts

Mine is something like 600 mm square and ideal.

 

[angusb1]

700 x 500 x 22mm White

That's a very good price