A cutting board is an essential accessory in the kitchen of any housewife. It is used mainly for slicing vegetables and cutting meat. Some types are made for serving, as a stand for hot dishes and for serving dishes to the table.
Souvenir varnished cutting boards are designed to decorate the walls in the kitchen. However, modern craftsmen began to produce such accessories with the possibility of their further use in everyday life. One side of the souvenir board is decorated with carvings and ornaments, while the other is pure wood.
Traditionally, it is believed that the shape of a cutting board should be square or rectangular, but today it can be purchased in completely different types: oval, round, with a contour resembling an apple, a fish, and so on.
In order not to tediously search in stores for a cutting board that suits you, you can make it yourself to suit your taste.
To cut meat, it is recommended to use thick and heavy boards. For cutting vegetables and herbs – small, mobile and multifunctional. In your kitchen it is better to have a complete set of boards of different sizes and purposes. According to the classification, boards are divided into the following types: cutting, decorative, decoupage and carved.
- End boards. They are most popular for cutting meat. On such a board you can cook chops or entrecote. The board can withstand hammer blows. Oak end boards are particularly durable and dull the edges of knives much less than regular boards.
- Cutting board made of solid beech, pine, birch and bamboo.
The most budget option is pine board. This board is easy to process and has low hardness.
Birch and beech boards excel in quality due to their hardness and strength. But their disadvantage is excessive hygroscopicity. Moisture has a detrimental effect on such boards.
A Chinese-made bamboo cutting board is less popular, but its cost is significantly less than the price of oak or birch.
Raw materials for making a cutting board
Before you make a cutting board with your own hands, you need to choose a material. For these purposes, raw materials from wood, silicone, plastic, stone and glass ceramics are used.
- Tree. The most common types of cutting surfaces you see at the hardware store are beech, oak, or pine. It should be noted that such surfaces are only suitable for slicing bread or dry vegetables, since the wood of the above varieties quickly collapses under the influence of moisture.
Bamboo kitchen boards are highly durable and pressure resistant. They are moisture resistant, easy to clean and do not absorb food odors.
Cutting boards made of acacia and oak are the choice of professionals. Their advantages are high quality. The disadvantage is the high cost.
Care. A wooden cutting board cannot be washed in the dishwasher. It should be rinsed under the tap, but should not be soaked in the sink. Once a week, the wood must be wiped with vinegar essence to get rid of germs.
- Stone. Marble, granite and stone cutting surfaces look very impressive. Marble has bactericidal properties and does not tolerate too hot objects on its surface or treatment with acid-containing substances.
A kitchen board made of stone is ideal for rolling out dough, which turns out evenly thin on it.
Care. The stone surface must be periodically cleaned of debris, since this material must “breathe”. With proper use, stone cutting boards can last a long time.
Plastic. In this case, you should choose only high-quality plastic that has heat-resistant and moisture-resistant properties. A board made of good plastic is more durable and hygienic. If you are going to make a plastic board yourself, then choose a colorless material that does not contain toxic substances.
Care. Plastic can be washed in the dishwasher. After cutting meat or fish, the plastic board should be washed with liquid dish soap. And to disinfect, you can place it in the microwave for 2 minutes along with a glass of water.
- Silicone. Kitchen cutting surfaces made of silicone have long gained popularity in the kitchen utensils market. Silicone does not slip on the table surface, does not absorb odors from food and does not dull the edge of the knife. It is convenient to store it folded. A silicone mat does not differ in its functions from a traditional wooden board.
Care. The silicone mat should be washed with an acid-free detergent. It is also acceptable to put it in the dishwasher. This material can withstand both high and low temperatures.
- Glass ceramics. A cutting board made of this material is durable and shock-resistant. It is easy to clean, can withstand high temperatures and does not absorb food odors at all. For use in the kitchen, this is not a very practical option, since the knife quickly becomes dull on the glass surface. A glass-ceramic board is ideal as a decoration for the kitchen interior and as a hot stand.
Care. Dishwasher safe.
You can see what traditional cutting boards look like in the photo below.
Cutting board design
The design of the cutting board can be very diverse. If you are looking for unusual shapes, take note of several design solutions.
- Classic wooden board with liquid drain, metal edging and space for a knife.
- Pull-out cutting board. It is attached to the cabinet and can be pulled out of it if necessary.
- Rectangular board with removable plates. When the products are cut, you just need to move them with a knife into one of the plates.
- There are also cutting boards with pull-out containers for scraps and trash.
Making one of these cutting boards with your own hands will be a little more difficult than a regular one. But if you have the desire and knowledge, you can make such a design option.
DIY wooden cutting board
A plywood cutting board is a more traditional option. It is practical and easy to use in the kitchen. In our case, the technology for making boards from birch plywood is presented.
To work you will need:
- pencil;
- sample;
- workbench and hacksaw;
- drill;
- drill;
- file;
- vice.
Before you start creating a kitchen accessory, you need to sketch out a drawing of a cutting board.
- Prepare a 12 mm thick birch board and carefully mark the contours of the board on it using a pencil according to the template.
- Using a hacksaw, cut the product along the contour.
- Using an awl, mark the location for the hole on the board and drill it with a drill.
- Clamp the product in a vice and use a file to clean its surface. Round the edges a little.
- If you wish, you can paint the outside of the board with watercolors and varnish it.
Cutting board on supports
Making a cutting board with your own hands is not difficult. However, making its design with supports and a recess for the plate will be a little more difficult. Based on the presented drawing, you can clearly imagine the design of the future cutting board.
To work you will need:
- oak blanks for the shield (40x33x3 cm);
- 2 oak boards for supports (10x33x3 cm);
- PVA glue;
- sandpaper.
The dimensions of a homemade cutting board are designed for a plate with a diameter of 25 cm and a height of about 10 cm. You can use the dimensions provided, or you can create a board for a plate that will be convenient for you to use in the future.
- Glue three planed oak plates together into a shield.
- When the shield dries, you need to cut out a blank for the board. Length 40 cm, width – 33 cm.
- From one edge of the workpiece, you need to draw a semicircle with a pencil and compass. You can use an appropriate plate instead of a compass. 10 mm from the dotted line, parallel to it, draw a smaller semicircle. This is shown in the picture above.
- Use a jigsaw to cut out a smaller semicircle.
- On the back of the board, mark places for supports and cut them out with a carpenter's chisel. Glue the supports cut from oak into the resulting grooves.
- Carefully sand the surface of the cutting board with sandpaper.
- First, saturate the wood with olive oil, and then varnish everything except the working surface of the board.
The oak cutting board with supports and a recess for a bowl is ready. When the varnish is dry, you can start using the board.
To prevent the cutting surface from retaining the smell of fish, grease the wood with half a lemon and rinse with hot water. It is not recommended to cut meat, cut vegetables and bread on the same board. For each purpose it is necessary to use a board for a specific purpose.
You can see in detail how you can make a cutting board at home in the video.
An important kitchen attribute is the cutting board. They can be used both for cutting food and as a hot stand. Various samples of plywood cutting boards can be seen in the photo.
Variety of cutting boards
Depending on the shape, they can be tabletop or hanging. Desktop boards are large and thick, can have finger grooves and are installed on small legs. Options for hanging storage must have a hole in the handle or in the plane.
The shapes of plywood cutting boards can be very different. Based on the sketches drawn, drawings of plywood cutting boards are made. They will be the basis for the work. You must decide for yourself what shape to give the product. Ideas can be very different: from simple geometric shapes to complex and figured plant motifs. By choosing simple geometric shapes, you provide yourself with the opportunity to conveniently care for the product. If you plan to make a board for slicing juicy products, then make a small groove along the edge to prevent juice formed during slicing of the product from spreading across the table.
Manufacturing technology
Before we talk about how to make a plywood cutting board, get your idea down on paper. The sketch of a plywood cutting board that comes to your mind can be either very simple or very complex. But you need to start, like in school, from simple to complex. The drawing will help you visualize your masterpiece and decide on the dimensions. The first is drawing and drawing. The next step will be the selection of material and preparation of the tool.
Purchasing plywood as a material for a cutting board has several features. You should choose plywood:
- high quality indicator (although the presence of knots can be used as interesting ideas for finishing);
- containing the least amount of adhesives,
- non-laminated,
- the most suitable sheet thickness is 10 mm (although 6 mm can be used).
Tools
The next stage is collecting tools for work:
- A jigsaw will be an obligatory and indispensable main tool for you.
- To make a drawing you need to have paper, pencils, carbon paper, and eraser.
- Sandpaper, whatever you can find around the house.
- It's a good idea to provide yourself with a vice and a fine file for the job.
When the tools are assembled, the drawing is ready, the plywood is on the workbench, we get to work - making a cutting board from plywood. We transfer the drawing directly onto the plywood. For convenience, you can first make a template on cardboard according to your drawing. In the future, if the work is successful, you can use this template more than once and make cutting boards for yourself and friends. In the meantime, he will help you carefully transfer the drawing onto the plywood. You can do this using carbon paper.
The main stage of work is sawing. It’s good if you have experience working with a jigsaw, but if not, then work slowly, carefully processing the edges and not forgetting about the handle with a hole to be able to store the board in a suspended state. After sawing, the workpiece is thoroughly polished on all sides. In the photo you can see the stages of work on making the board.
Impregnation and processing
Once you have your cutting board, the work isn't over. The finished product should be surface treated. You should not get carried away with different types of finishing, because you are making kitchen utensils that will be in constant contact with food. If your product will have only decorative functions, then you can use painting and varnishing.
Cutting boards are impregnated with mineral oils. Impregnation allows
- improve the appearance of the product,
- increase moisture-resistant qualities,
- close the pores and small cracks of the wood.
An example of an oil for processing cutting boards is Vaseline oil (namely oil, not ointment). It is colorless and odorless and tends to polymerize. Sometimes it is called liquid paraffin and is used in church lamps. But it, like any other oil, creates an unstable coating that needs to be renewed over time.
For impregnation at home, it is allowed to use linseed and sesame oils - those that, when heated, increase their ability to polymerize. A mixture of beeswax and mineral oil in a ratio of 1 to 4 also works well in caring for such products. Treatment with this composition is carried out when it is heated. You can also find compounds for processing cutting boards on sale.
Proper care
You already know how to make a plywood cutting board with your own hands, now you need to know how to care for such a product.
- You cannot work on the same board with raw and ready-to-eat foods.
- You cannot use the same board for cutting fish and meat, whether boiled or raw.
- There must be separate products for raw meat, poultry, fish, for cooked meat, for boiled fish, for greens, for cheese, for bread and bakery products.
Boards should be cleaned and washed regularly, dried well, and the surface should be treated with mineral oil at least once a year. Cleaning with salt removes the smell of raw meat well, and wiping with vinegar or lemon removes the smell of fish. A timely and thoroughly cleaned board is your safe food.
How to make a cutting board yourself? It’s worth saying right away that the process itself is quite simple. There are only two important requirements for this kitchen utensil. Firstly, it must be strong enough, and secondly, it must be very clean, since food will be cut on it.
Board material options
Like many other products that are made independently, a board can become not only a tool for work, but also an excellent decoration. Therefore, there are several options for how to make a cutting board.
Naturally, they may differ in the material used for manufacturing. It can be wood, plywood. As for making your own from plywood, this is the most budget-friendly solution and the simplest. It is worth noting here that the following rule applies in this case - the thicker the plywood, the better. Thin material is not suitable for work.
As for wood boards, this option is the most practical. This material also has a longer service life. If the question is how to make a cutting board on a budget, then you can take not only plywood, but also a pine or birch board. Although the most durable and hygienic species are oak, beech or acacia.
Manufacturing options
If we consider manufacturing methods, there are also several options here.
- The first option is solid ones. In other words, the cutting board is completely cut from solid wood or plywood, if this material is chosen.
- How to make a cutting board from individual fragments? This option also exists. It is worth noting here that it is easier to cut a solid board, but the glued version is considered more durable, since such a product is less susceptible to deformation. Another advantage is that this method makes it possible to create a board of almost any shape and size.
There is another division into several types, depending on the shape and size. So, you can make a cutting board with your own hands in one piece, that is, standard. There is a design option called sliding. It is best to install them on a hill, then it is convenient to remove the chopped products. Another very convenient form is a board with a waste compartment. The last two fairly simple and practical options are a corner board, and also on legs.
Requirements for raw materials
If the question is how to make a cutting board from plywood, then you should start by choosing the right material. To achieve success, you should use only class 1 raw materials. With this material, the number of knots and any other defects is reduced to a minimum. It is important to note here that you cannot use moisture-resistant plywood for this purpose. Such raw materials are too heavily saturated with adhesive substances.
As for how to make a cutting board out of wood, you can use almost any type of wood. It should only be said that the cheapest options, such as pine or spruce, are not very durable, although their service life can be significantly increased if they are treated correctly.
There are a few general requirements to follow:
- Naturally, the material should be sufficiently dry;
- Wood or plywood should in no case contain defects such as oil stains, for example;
- the workpiece should not have rotten or loose areas, as well as knots, although with proper skill the latter can be turned into part of the design.
Start of assembly. Design
If everything is clear with the question of what a cutting board can be made from, then you can proceed to the assembly process. The first step in this case is choosing a design for the product. Here you can use almost any solution that the owner wants. In order to make it more convenient to work, it is worth transferring all your ideas to a drawing diagram. Drawing dimensions will help to avoid mistakes during the work process.
Several options can be used as a diagram. Since the product is not something large-scale, you can use a regular drawing on a sheet of paper made with a simple pencil. You can print any outline and base it on it, you can even just trace any object whose shape suits you.
Tools and workpiece
How to make your own cutting board? An almost ideal option would be to make it in your own carpentry workshop. In this case, all the tools will definitely be available. To successfully complete the job you will need:
- an electric jigsaw or a circular saw to cut out the necessary elements from wood or plywood;
- jointing and planing machines or hand-held devices for the same purposes;
- milling cutter;
- in order to get a smooth surface, you can use a grinder or sandpaper;
- the last element is mineral oil, which is used to impregnate the finished board.
Working with the workpiece begins with the fact that it is necessary to transfer the selected pattern to it, if it is needed. The cutting process is carried out using a saw if the board has straight edges. If the shape of the contour is quite complex, then it is better to use an electric jigsaw. All sections must be processed in accordance with technology. For this, devices such as sandpaper, a file, and a sander are used. During sanding, it is very important to remove all chips and fibers that in the future may get into food or stick into the skin like a splinter.
Details
It is very important to pay attention to some details. The hole for hanging the board is cut last, and the edges need to be sanded. At this stage, you also need to decorate the surface, if necessary. You can use patterns such as burning, sawing, or painting.
You should pay attention to the fact that for a cutting board, the pattern means that food will be clogged into it. Therefore, the depth of the pattern should be minimal, and it should be located along the edges and not in the center.
Finished product protection
In order to achieve maximum durability and so that the board does not lose its appearance, it must be processed. Since the item will constantly be in the kitchen, where it will come into contact with food, impregnations must be completely non-toxic and odorless. The best option in this case is mineral oil. Impregnation of the board with this solution is carried out by painting or immersion in the solution. If the coating is applied by painting, the procedure must be repeated until the oil is absorbed. The procedure is quite simple. A layer of oil is applied only when the previous one is completely dry. Typically this procedure is repeated 2 to 5 times. It is worth noting that after the first dive, small chips that remain after sanding may come out of the board. They are removed using sandpaper.
How to make an end cutting board?
In this case, the manufacturing process becomes somewhat more complicated, since more work with wood will be required. It is necessary to use cuttings from fairly hard wood species, for example, oak and pine. They should not be affected by an infection such as fungus, and also not have cracks or knots. The blanks are processed on a jointer type machine, and then strips of 28 mm wide are cut from them. The number of oak and pine parts should be the same. When the blanks are made, using a jointer and sandpaper, you need to grind them down to a size of 25 mm. The segments are laid one by one.
Next, all the blanks must be glued together to form a solid product. It is important to note here that you cannot use glue that contains formaldehyde. It is also not worth using epoxy compounds. The most commonly used substances are PVA-based.
The main advantage of such boards is that they are much stronger than conventional ones made from solid wood. In addition, end cutting boards dull knives much less during use.
It is unlikely that a kitchen workspace can be imagined as complete without such a handy accessory as a cutting board, used for slicing vegetables and cutting meat. Certain types are made for serving to make it more convenient to serve hot dishes and dishes to the table.
Variety of cutting boards
There are many souvenir, varnished cutting boards on the market designed to decorate the walls in the kitchen and dining room. Although the decorative option with the possibility of further use of the accessory turns out to be more practical. In this case, one side of the board is decorated with carvings or ornaments, the other is left in its original form. This version of a wooden cutting board is easy to make with your own hands, having minimal carpentry skills.
According to the classics, a cutting board can be square or rectangular, but today on the market there are oval, round boards resembling an apple, fish or other board shapes.
Brief classification of cutting boards
It is better to supplement your kitchen equipment with a full set of accessories for cutting food. According to the classification, boards are of the following types:
- cutting;
- decorative;
- decoupage;
- carved.
Raw materials for making a wooden cutting board with your own hands
Before you start making a board, you should decide on the option and choose the raw materials for home production of the product. Wood is not the only option. In addition, silicone, plastic, stone, and glass-ceramic products are actively used for these purposes.
In order not to search in stores or on the market and save yourself from wasting additional time, try to make a wooden cutting board with your own hands and to your taste. Although not all of the options listed are easy to reproduce on your own, without special equipment or tools.
Wooden products and their features
Most often, oak, beech or pine cutting surfaces appear on sale. Please note that only bread and dry vegetables should be cut on such boards, since the above types of wood quickly collapse when exposed to moisture. Read on to learn how to choose the right board material depending on your goals.
End boards
End boards are most often used for cutting meat; they are the most popular. On such a board, chops or entrecote are successfully produced. The board can withstand hammer blows very well. Oak end boards are characterized by particular strength, and the structure of the wood dulls the edge of knives much less, unlike ordinary boards. Below, in the photo, is a wooden cutting board made by hand.
Pine, beech birch
Pine, beech, and birch boards are an excellent alternative. The most budget option is pine board, which is easy to process, but is characterized by low hardness. A much better option is made from birch or beech, but this type of wood is excessively hygroscopic, which negatively affects the structure, and the boards soon deteriorate, becoming unsuitable for further use. You can shape a wooden cutting board with your own hands into a circle, rectangle, or cut out the product that you imagine in your imagination.
Bamboo board
Compared to oak or birch, they are much cheaper, although they are less popular. In addition to these facts, the products differ:
- strength;
- pressure resistance;
- moisture resistance;
- do not absorb food odors.
If you have the raw materials, it is not difficult to make such a kitchen attribute yourself at home.
Product care rules
These products cannot be washed in the dishwasher. It is better to rinse them under the tap, but it is not recommended to soak them in the sink. It is recommended to wipe the surface of the board with vinegar essence once every seven days to get rid of germs.
Stone cutting boards
Agree that stone, granite or marble surfaces look impressive. The marble surface is characterized by bactericidal properties, but does not tolerate overly hot objects or exposure to acidic substances on its surface.
A stone kitchen board is indispensable for rolling out dough, which turns out evenly thin.
Product care rules
Such products require periodic cleaning to remove blockages, since stone is a material that must “breathe”. By following the operating instructions, you will extend the life of your stone cutting board, which will already last a long time.
Plastic kitchen boards
In this case, choose only high-quality plastic products characterized by heat-resistant and moisture-resistant properties. High-quality boards are hygienic and durable.
When planning to make your own kitchen board, give preference to transparent plastic material that does not contain toxic substances.
Product care rules
This material is perfectly dishwasher safe. After each use, cutting fish or meat, wash the surface with liquid dishwashing detergent. For disinfection purposes, place the board in the microwave for 2 minutes, adding a glass of water.
How to make a wooden kitchen board with your own hands
Let's consider the option of making boards from birch plywood, which is practical and easy to use in the kitchen. Familiarize yourself with the technology of making the product at home.
To carry out the work you will need to prepare materials and tools. Before you start making, prepare a drawing of a wooden cutting board with your own hands, even if it is simple in shape and design.
During the work you cannot do without:
- pencil;
- template;
- workbench and hacksaw;
- drill;
- drills;
- file;
- vice.
DIY wooden cutting board option:
- Take a birch board 12 mm thick.
- Taking a pencil, carefully mark the contours of the future product on the workpiece using a template.
- Taking a hacksaw, cut the board along the contour.
- Using an awl, mark the location for the hole on the surface and drill it using a drill.
- Clamp the product in a vice and, using a file, clean the surface. Round the edges a little.
- If desired, the outer surface of the board can be decorated with a design using watercolor paint and varnish.
To protect a wooden board made by yourself from absorbing unpleasant odors, brush the wood with half a lemon, then rinse with hot water.
It is not recommended to cut all products on the same board, so if you succeed, stock up on several cutting boards made from cut wood with your own hands.
Using the short instructions and recommendations provided, you can make a wooden board without putting a lot of effort into it.
Everyone who works with wood ends up with a lot of scraps. You can simply throw them away, or you can use them. In this article we will tell you how to make a cutting board of incredible beauty from scraps of different types of wood. The key points in this project are choosing the right (non-toxic, waterproof) glue and having wood scraps of different shades.
:
- table saw
- jointer
- planer
- router with set of cutters
- router table
- clamps
- glue brushes
- orbital hand sander.
Materials:
- wood trimmings of different species
- waterproof non-toxic wood glue
- mineral oil and rags
To make our own cutting board, we used scraps of maple, walnut, mahogany, cherry and other woods whose color and texture we found interesting. When we talk about wood scraps, we mean wood, not laminated timber, plywood and other composite materials.
Wood cutting board manufacturing technology
1. Process the wood scraps on a jointer. This processing is necessary so that the boards fit together clearly. Try to ensure that the height of all the boards is approximately the same; the width can be whatever you want.
2. Process the front sides of the boards on a planer. This will ensure uniform thickness and smooth surfaces. It is advisable not to make the boards too thin; the thickness should be at least 15, and preferably 18 mm.
3. Cut the boards lengthwise using a table saw. The minimum width of the boards should be approximately 12 mm. The stripes do not have to be the same width; vary it at your discretion.
4. Arrange the boards in the desired order. Try to achieve an interesting look by experimenting with combinations of colors and sizes. The number of planks depends on the size of the cutting board.
5. Glue the boards together. It is advisable not to glue everything together at once, but to divide them into several groups. The width of each group should be as wide as your planer can handle it. The glue must be non-toxic and moisture resistant. Apply a thin layer of glue to the side edges of each board, and then tighten all the parts with clamps.
6. As a result, you should have several groups of planks. Sand the surfaces of each group with an orbital sander, taking care to remove all the glue. Then planer each group, removing as thin a layer as possible from each side. Now you can attach the pieces of the cutting board to each other and give an intermediate assessment of your efforts.
7. Glue the board parts together using the same technique used to glue the boards. Remember that due to its large size, the cutting board cannot be processed on a planer; it will have to be sanded by hand. Therefore, try to glue the parts together as accurately as possible and wipe off any excess glue with a damp cloth. To tighten the parts together you will need quite large clamps.
8. Sand the board and cut it to the desired size. Grind with a hand sander and remove any glue deposits. When cutting a board, try to make it proportional, that is, choose the length of the board based on the width. It is also advisable to take into account the size of the sink, because if the board does not fit in the sink, washing it will be problematic.
9. Round the edges of the board using a router with the appropriate bit. A special table equipped with guides will greatly simplify the task.
10. Cut a groove around the perimeter of the board, which is needed so that the juice released by the food during cutting does not flow onto the table. You need to cut out the groove using a router with an appropriate rounded cutter. To make the groove even, use a plywood template. Secure the template with masking tape on three sides, and move the router along the fourth. Then remove the tape from one of the sides and secure the one along which you made the groove. Depending on the depth of the groove, you can get by with one or more passes.
11. Sand the board. Grind using a grinder, each time changing the sandpaper to a finer one, up to No. 220.
12. Apply a safe coating. This could be, for example, mineral oil. Make sure the oil is well absorbed into the wood, applying several coats if necessary.
