Stone cutting boards
A cutting board is a must-have item in every kitchen. With its help, processing and cutting of products is carried out, all culinary masterpieces are embodied in reality. Therefore, when choosing a board, you should pay attention to the quality characteristics of the product. The very popular stone cutting board comes in a wide variety of shapes and colors, and has a high level of durability compared to plastic and wood boards.
Views
Most often, stone cutting boards are a solid flat slab of marble or granite, as well as artificial stone.
Serving or cutting plates made of granite and marble are distinguished by high indicators of environmental friendliness, have bactericidal properties, since only natural materials are used for their manufacture without caustic impurities and dyes.
The surface made of natural stone does not absorb foreign odors and does not allow the flavors of the products to mix, preserving their natural qualities.
High-strength artificial stone cutting board is made according to Italian technology from a natural mineral with the addition of coloring components and resins. Such products have a luxurious and sophisticated look, almost identical to natural stone boards. At the same time, the artificial version of the cutting surface has a more affordable price and has a long service life (more than 15 years), in addition, such accessories are suitable for all types of kitchen work.
Surfaces made of acrylic material do not have pores and microcracks in which bacteria and fungus can accumulate, for this reason food products cut on such a board retain their useful properties.
Selection and operation rules
It is generally accepted that the average housewife's kitchen requires a minimum of 3 cutting boards to provide the necessary level of hygiene and food safety. One should be for slicing bread and pastry, the second for meat products, and the third for vegetables and fruits. Each culinary specialist has the right to independently determine the required number of cutting boards, while they can be of different sizes and from different materials.
When using cutting boards, it must be borne in mind that there must be a separate surface for each product group. This is due to the fact that, for example, raw fish and meat can contain various harmful microorganisms, which, if they come into contact with a product that is not subjected to heat treatment, can cause significant harm to health.
The main requirements that should be paid attention to when choosing a stone cutting board are the quality of the material from which it is made... Natural or high-quality artificial stone should not have cracks, chips, traces of glue and foreign odors.
Today there are many different models of cutting surfaces, differing in appearance, color, shape, size and scope.
In the world of modern technologies and developed culinary art, small boards are used not only for cutting and cutting food, but also are a chic decorative element for serving and serving dishes.
The black plate looks very stylish when serving Japanese and Mediterranean dishes. And also a granite or serving marble surface will complement the interior of a modern cafeteria or fusion restaurant.
The stone surface for cutting is harmoniously combined with the high-tech style or with the classic design of kitchens.
A medium-sized natural marble slab is ideal for rolling out dough, as its natural coolness prevents the dough from sticking, and it turns out perfectly smooth and tender. For the same reason, the stone surface will become an indispensable tool for tempering chocolate and creating delicious desserts.
A wide range of domestic and foreign manufacturers of cutting boards made of artificial and natural stone provide a wide range of choices that meet any needs - from a classic kitchen accessory to design developments with increased functionality with additional supports, recesses for draining excess liquid, etc.
Care
For cleaning cutting surfaces made of natural or artificial stone, it is not recommended to use cleaning agents with aggressive components, which contain alkali, chlorine and acetone. Despite the fact that artificial stone surfaces are relatively resistant to chemicals, prolonged contact with aggressive detergents can gradually destroy the composition of their coating.
Cleaning the granite cutting board should be done by hand using dishwashing detergent. In a similar way, cutting surfaces from any other natural stone are washed.
For disinfection, stone surfaces can be treated with table vinegar, soda or lemon, then rinsed with water and wiped dry with a soft cloth.
In general, stone cutting boards do not require any special storage conditions. For convenience, many of them are equipped with special handles or rings, with which the product can be fixed on the kitchen wall.In the absence of such elements, the boards can be stored in drawers or simply on the working surface of the table top.
It is necessary to store kitchen utensils made of artificial material separately from boards made of natural stone in order to avoid the appearance of mold and scratches on the surface. To maintain its attractive appearance for a long time, the stone cutting board needs to be polished periodically.
Adhering to simple rules of care, regardless of what material the cutting board is made of, it will be able to delight the owners with a long service life, retaining its original color and glossy shine.
Advantages and disadvantages
According to feedback from users of stone cutting boards, their main positive features can be distinguished:
- stone cutting surface has high wear resistance: it does not crumble, does not stain from food;
- durable stone surface repels liquids and dries quickly;
- does not absorb odors and product juices, fits snugly to the work surface and does not slip;
- refined and stylish appearance;
- a variety of colors and shapes, which allows you to choose a board that is ideal for your kitchen interior.
Of the disadvantages of stone cutting boards, users note some qualities.
- Significantly higher cost compared to planks made of other materials.
- The need to sharpen knives more often, which leads to a rapid deterioration in their functionality (the blade becomes thinner).
- The kitchen surface made of natural stone has a "perceptible" weight. So, an average board with a thickness of about 1.5 cm weighs from 1 to 1.5 kg.
- It deforms from too high a temperature, therefore it is not recommended to use a stone board as a hot plate.
- Prolonged exposure to the natural acids found in fruits and vegetables destroys the surface over time.
Many advantages of stone cutting boards over similar products made of plastic, glass or wood cannot be overlooked. The reliability and quality assurance of such kitchen accessories is confirmed high functionality, long service life, ease of use and maintenance, as well as numerous reviews from happy users.
Some fans of the culinary arts believe that stone boards are only suitable for rolling dough, while some, on the contrary, use such surfaces for cutting, serving and serving dishes. In addition, a cutting board made of natural stone is a very expensive luxury, but each owner of such an accessory will be able to emphasize his status and sense of individual style.
A quality cutting board is an indispensable item when preparing a variety of homemade meals or delicacies. Which one to give preference depends on the individual needs, the goals set, as well as the financial capabilities of the cook.
For an overview of a stone board, see below.
