Versatile and Dishwasher Safe: Everything You Need to Know About Bendable, Synthetic Rubber Cutting Boards

You don't need to be a professionally trained, experienced chef to know that cutting boards are an absolute must-have in any kitchen. No matter what you're making – whether it's a salad, a quick sandwich, or a slap-up meal – you're going to need somewhere to do all your slicing and dicing.

But not all cutting boards are the same – not even close! In fact, there is a plethora of different materials and styles of boards to choose from depending on your needs and budget.

We're going to give you a quick overview of the main types of cutting boards – just so you know what's out there – and then we're going to tell you all about rubber cutting boards and what the bendable, synthetic ones have to offer. We'll go on to look at specific pros and cons of rubber cutting boards, and delve into how important each one is.

Finally, we'll discuss some other frequently asked questions about rubber cutting boards, so that you can walk away from this article feeling like you know everything you need to know on the topic to make an informed decision about purchasing one (or a few!) for your kitchen.

So, without further ado, let's jump right into everything you need to know about rubber cutting boards,

What Are the Main Different Types of Cutting Boards?

It's always a good idea to know what you're getting into before you purchase something, no matter how big or small, and the same goes for a cutting boards,. You want to know that the product you're buying suits your specific needs – whether it's style, utility, or cost – so that you can get the absolute best out of it and avoid buyer's remorse at all costs.

The best way to be absolutely confident that you're buying the right product is to know exactly what all your options are. That way, you can evaluate the properties of all of them and make a proper, informed decision.

In this article, we're focusing on rubber cutting boards,, so we're not going to give you the full A to Z of every other material available. We're just going to give you a quick explanation of the other types that you can choose from, and then we'll dive right into everything you need to know about rubber cutting boards.

Wood

If you're looking for an attractive cutting boards, that'll suit the aesthetic of your kitchen, whether at home or in a professional environment, wood is always a popular option.

Not only do they look good, but they're known to be fairly gentle on knife blades, which is really important if you're using high-quality knives.

However, wood is prone to staining, and in order to keep them fresh, free of bacteria, and without cracks, they need to be oiled and maintained periodically.

Plastic

Plastic cutting boards tend to be the most cost-effective option, but they're not particularly attractive. They also show knife marks very and require a lot of cleaning to avoid a build-up of bacteria. Most are rough on quality kitchen knives unless they are the softer polypropylene boards.

Glass

For many people, glass cutting boards, are a bit of a thing of the past for a few reasons – first, they're pretty rough on knife blades, resulting in them becoming blunt very quickly and can chip your quality Asian knives. They also just don't feel particularly nice to cut on, and they are loud.

The pros of glass boards, however, are that they're heat resistant and pretty hygienic because they're non-porous, and they don't retain odors.

Composite

Composite cutting boards, are, as the name indicates, made up of combination of materials, often including wood fibers or paper composite bonded with resin. They tend to be durable and knife friendly, as well as dishwasher-safe and resistant to staining and bacteria.

Rubber Cutting Board

Now that we know a little bit about the other options, it's time to get into the nitty gritty of a rubber cutting board and all that it has to offer.

The first thing to note is that there isn't just one type of rubber cutting board. In fact, you can get several types, boasting a plethora of properties, depending on your needs and wants.

Another thing to consider is that rubber cutting boards haven't always been too popular, perhaps due to aesthetic reasons. However, these days, the pros certainly outweigh the cons, and rubber cutting board is, in the opinion of many experienced professionals, the way to go.

The main properties that people tend to consider when deciding on the perfect rubber cutting board are flexibility, durability, aesthetics, whether or not it's knife-friendly, marking, hygiene, ease of cleaning, and versatility.

We're going to split these things up – and a little more – into pros and cons to give you the best possible evaluation of bendable, synthetic rubber cutting board.

Pros and Cons of Rubber Cutting Boards

Evaluating pros and cons is always important when you're considering buying something, but they can also be slightly subjective. Something that one person considers bad may not be a downside for another.
Everybody's different!

So, with this in mind, here are the most important pros of bendable, synthetic rubber cutting boards.

Pros of Rubber Cutting Boards

Durability

Ideal for constant and heavy use, a rubber cutting boards, is a great tool to have in a kitchen where it'll be used a lot. Because it's flexible yet tough, a rubber cutting board is far less likely to crack or chip than other materials like wood or plastic.

Durability is a great property to have, so you don't have to keep replacing your cutting boards, constantly, spending a fortune on the same thing over and over again. But not only are rubber cutting boards, durable, but they tend to maintain the same quality as when you first get them.

Versatility

Rubber cutting boards can be used to prepare just about any kind of food and they're ideal for both commercial and residential kitchens, making them super versatile.

This is because they're long-lasting and durable, and they don't struggle with a build-up of bacteria or odor. For materials that do have an issue with that, like plastic, for instance, you probably wouldn't want to use the same cutting board for chicken as you would for salad and vegetables out of fear of cross-contamination. But with rubber, you can use one cutting board for everything.

Knife-Friendly

Most chefs will argue that the most important quality of a cutting board is being knife-friendly, and rubber cutting boards are very gentle. This means your knives won't get blunt quickly and they’re unlikely to be damaged by using the rubber cutting board.

Non-Slip Surface

Whenever you're working with knives, safety ought to be a top priority, so you'll be happy to hear that bendable, synthetic rubber cutting boards tend to have non-slip surfaces. This helps you avoid having the board slip off the countertop while you're working so that you have a secure surface to work on.

Comfortable to Use

Comfort is essential when you're cooking – especially if you're spending long hours in the  Rubber cutting boards offer slight cushioning, so it's easier on hands and wrists when you're chopping.

Easy to Clean

The best thing you can possibly hear when buying a kitchen appliance is that it's dishwasher safe, and we have good news for you – a rubber cutting board can go straight into the dishwasher! Well, some of them - bendable rubber cutting boards can go in the dishwasher, but it's not recommended to put non-bendable rubber cutting boards in the dishwasher as you run the risk of them warping due to high heat. If you don't use your dishwasher just hand wash with a antibacterial soap, along with the rest of your dishes.

Rubber is fairly durable, so it doesn't allow for serious or deep cuts in the board, which means it's less likely to harbor bacteria and is way easier to clean. For the same reason, rubber's less prone to lingering odors and staining.

Flexibility

Some are ideal for storage, traveling, and just everyday use, bendable rubber cutting boards are flexible and bendable. This makes them super convenient to use and pack away again when you're done.

Fair Price

We're not going to say they're cheap, but rubber cutting boards aren't exorbitantly priced either, which is always a good thing to hear. Since they offer good quality and are nice and durable, you're going to get pretty good value for money.

Cons of Rubber Cutting Boards

There aren't many, but here are the cons of bendable synthetic rubber cutting boards.

Heavy

This probably won't matter much to you unless you're going to be transporting equipment for a catering business or something similar, but non-bendable rubber cutting boards tend to be quite heavy because they're super dense. However, their weight also makes them less likely to slide around a countertop, so it’s not always a bad thing.

Not Super Cheap

As we said, they're not exorbitantly priced, but rubber cutting boards also aren't an entry-level product – they’ll cost a little bit more than something like plastic. You'll probably find that a bendable rubber cutting board falls at about the low end of the range, while non-bendable fall into the middle to upper range, when it comes to cost.

Less Aesthetically Appealing

This one depends on your personal taste, but some people think that a rubber cutting board doesn't look quite as nice as wood – Maple, Teak or Walnut for instance, in either Face, edge or end cutting boards.

However, this all depends on your preferences, how your kitchen is designed, and what you're going to be using the board for. They're not bad looking at all, they just don't give off the same rustic feel that a wooden board does due to nothing more than the material used.

Final Thoughts on Bendable, Synthetic Rubber Cutting Boards

So, there you have it – everything you need to know about bendable, synthetic rubber cutting boards.
We’ve told you about the other main options available to you and given you all the information you need on the pros and cons of rubber cutting boards.

Now, it's up to you to decide what's most important to you in the kitchen so that you can take home a cutting board to make your culinary dreams come true. But at the end of the day, we think that rubber cutting boards are a win all around!