Do plastic cutting boards dull knives faster than wood boards?

I've heard on numerous occasions that plastic cutting boards dull knives faster than wood boards. I use a large wooden cutting board often, but recently I've been finding it heavy and it sometimes leaves behind a flavour on food despite good cleaning.

Is there any objective evidence that plastic cutting boards dull knives faster than good wood cutting boards? I'm hoping there have been experiments with sharpness measuring instruments such as the Edge-On-Up Industrial Edge Tester.

I've heard anecdotes and I've seen people provide plausible explanations why wood would be better for keeping knives sharp, but I haven't seen any hard data.

Best Answer

There is such a report, but you're not going to like the result. According to KnifeGrinder's scientific test(PDF), plastic board materials other than low-density polypropylene are the least edge-wearing board materials you can get. Wood wears the edge more than plastic, as a rule.

Pictures about "Do plastic cutting boards dull knives faster than wood boards?"

Do plastic cutting boards dull knives faster than wood boards? - Person Slicing a Brown Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake

Do plastic cutting boards dull knives faster than wood boards? - White Containers of Cosmetic Products on a Wooden Board

Do plastic cutting boards dull knives faster than wood boards? - Sliced Bread and Stainless Steel Knife on Top of Brown Wooden Chopping Board

Does using a plastic cutting board dull knives?

Plastic material for cutting boards, or high-density polypropylene, is softer than glass or stone. The surface is soft enough to prevent quickly dulling your knives, yet strong enough to hold its form for many uses.

What kind of cutting board will not dull knives?

Even a quick slice on a ceramic dinner plate, a marble cheese board, or a granite countertop can dull your knife. Stick with wood or plastic cutting boards to keep your knives in good condition.

Is it better to use wood or plastic cutting boards?

Wood cutting boards are often considered better than plastic cutting boards because wood is much more durable and keeps knives sharper.

What kind of cutting board is best for good knives?

Which Cutting Boards are Best for Knives?Cutting BoardKnife MaterialKnife ChippingWood (hard)RigidFairPlastic (HDPE)Stainless SteelGoodPlastic (HDPE)Carbon SteelGoodPlastic (HDPE)RigidGood11 more rows•May 10, 2015

Why I Chose A Plastic Cutting Board Over Wood

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