I'm a new dad, and my wife is pretty anxious about what our son eats. She's concerned about using plastic cutting boards because of possible shavings and microplastics getting into his food. She's also hesitant to use glass or stainless steel since they might damage our decent knives. As a woodworker, I think wood would be the best option, and I've suggested getting an end grain cutting board. However, she's worried about the glues potentially leaching into the food. It sometimes feels like a lot of this is just fear mongering among parents. She found some solid plank boards from Camden Rose but I'm unsure about their durability and whether they might warp. I'm looking for suggestions or opinions on what cutting board would be safe and practical!
3 Answers
Solid plank boards can be more prone to warping, but a well-made end grain board has minimal glue at the surface, so that's something to keep in mind. Once it's set, the glue won't come off into your food, trust me! You could also look for food-safe, non-toxic glue if you decide to go that route, like Titebond 3.
Just to calm your wife's fears, glue used in cutting boards doesn’t separate from the wood once it's bonded. It creates strong mechanical and chemical bonds, so there shouldn’t be any leaching into food. I think a lot of this worry is just paranoia, to be honest.
If anxiety is really high, you could consider getting a large slab of maple and just cutting it to your desired size. This way, you avoid any glue altogether since it's just a solid piece of wood. Plus, maple is a great choice for cutting boards!
That’s a solid recommendation! Titebond 3 is indeed a great choice for food safety.