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Think I need a new chopping board. Look at this sad picture.

I have one over size, one a plastic one and this piece of crap lol.

P.s. This board is not from ikea, but never ever buy one from there. The last one before literally fell apart in my hands.

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  1. A good sanding then mineral oil and back in business.

    9 Replies
    1. re: SanityRemoved


      I'm just in the process of sanding and oiling both.

      The first and largest purchased from IKEA for about $50 CAD - The booze in the background is for the amusement of some. The 2nd (end grain), uncertain where I purchased but I believe it was IKEA also. Still, both look great. They are around 15 years old.

      1. re: rosetown

        Ha ha ha. I finally see your Peking Ginger Brandy. Ha ha ha. Where is your single malt Scotch? (just kidding).

        Nice cutting boards.

        1. re: Chemicalkinetics

          Glad you were amused - the single malt is the one to the left - a 12 yr Cragganmore from Speyside. :)

          1. re: rosetown

            Oh yeah, now I see it (Cragganmore). Cool. Thanks.

            Hey, your first cutting board, the edge grain one, looks very shiny. Have you used it yet?

            1. re: Chemicalkinetics

              It's the first oiling after a good sanding. I'm still watching it absorb and might oil it a couple of more times. So no, it's not ready for use.

        2. re: rosetown

          Second pic is identical to mine, ikea I think I paid 15cad on sale for it

          1. re: Dave5440

            Good for you!!
            It's possible I paid similar, maybe a bit more, but still cheap. Even the 1st pic at a higher price, 25 lbs in weight ,more or less, was an absolute bargain. I was astonished at the quality of their boards, given the price point. I don't know if it's the same today as it was 15 years ago.

            1. re: rosetown

              Those are pretty inexpensive prices for such large cutting boards.

          2. re: rosetown

            reply to self:
            one more board - smaller - completely reconditioned and ready for use - again, I believe from IKEA

        3. I've had my ikea board for 15 yrs, not a single crack in it, but then again I don't see anything wrong with your board that a little work couldn't erase.

          2 Replies
          1. re: Dave5440

            My IKEA board is fine after three years of use.

            1. re: escondido123

              This is the first I hear so many positive statements about IKEA in such a short duration.

          2. ukjason,

            The photo of the cutting board does not look that bad, but it is possible that the photo is not representative. You can sand the cutting board as SanityRemoved have suggested.

            If you want a new cutting board, there are many good options. Some of the end grain cutting boards from discount stores (HomeGoods, Marshall, TJMaxx...) look very good to me. The rubber cutting boards are loved by many in the restaurant establishment. It is relatively gentle to knife edge. It is dense, and yet thin. It can be regenerated by sanding just like wood cutting boards.

            1. I agree with the other posts for sanding etc to bring it back. My favorite board is actually a 2 foot long butcher block counter top that someone rejected because of the grain (go figure.) I took it gladly and it's been "around the block" for over 30 years.

              Now that I think about it, wow I have been cooking for a very long time. Cool.

              1. This board cost me $10 if it gets wet it bows. Its cheep, too small and not worth the time to sand it/oil it .

                8 Replies
                  1. re: ukjason

                    I honestly think it could be a nice companion to your new knife. A little work and you can say it's "The best $10 I ever spent."

                    A new board will soak up quite a bit of food grade mineral oil. Mineral oil repeals water and creates a barrier against anything you cut on it. It also is a major factor in reducing bowing of the wood.

                    Using an open weave type shelf liner underneath can make it more stable even with a bow.

                    1. re: SanityRemoved

                      I've been thinking about your post regarding mineral oil reducing bowing in wood - I didn't know that. Certainly worth a try. Further, even if another board is purchased, it's always good to have another. And for me, it's a shame to throw something away without having tried a little bit of tender loving care.

                      1. re: rosetown

                        Boards, not just cutting boards, warp because of water absorption or moisture absorption that is not even from side to side. The fibers that are wet will expand more than the ones that are not as wet. Mineral oil penetrates the wood fibers and makes them less capable of absorbing moisture. In other words, the cells are full of mineral oil, which evaporates very slowly and can't pick up water, which evaporates rather quickly and is constantly moving the wood.

                    2. re: ukjason


                      Well, if it is warpped, then it is probably something you may want to replace.

                      On the other hand, don't underestimate a cutting board because it is cheap. A worthiness of a cutting board is not its tag price, but its performance. I have a relatively inexpensive cutting board, and so far it has been holding up quite well.


                      As I have mentioned, you can look for a reasonably priced end grain cutting board.

                          1. re: breadchick

                            Thank you, BCK. :D

                            I was really debating if I should get a slightly bigger one. The one in the photo is only 14" in diameter. A 15-16 inch one would have given me more space, but I also would have trouble fitting in my kitchen sink for washing.