wooden cutting boards and glues/oils/toxins?

[nurturebaby]

I;m in the market for a large chopping block type cutting board - I wanted to get a really thick , end-grain type version to keep on my counter (just for veggies).

Anyway, I started thinking about how the wood is glued together and the mineral oil treatments, etc and was wondering if this is actually a safer alternative to plastic? I think I've got the oil thing down - I could probably use coconut oil as I don't think it will go rancid like olive oil would, but what about the actual glue that holds the wood together? It's got to be some sort of glue, and I'm sure it's classified as 'non-toxic', but so are plastic food storage containers, which I choose not to use.

Any info about what type of cutting board is best from a health perspective?

[Magelet]

I don't know but I'd love to know!

[Ola_]

Not sure about the glue but just wanted to confirm that I do use coconut oil for my cutting board and it works really well. No issues so far!

[Tangled Hill]

[rayo de sol]

I've wondered the same thing. I worry not only about the glue, but I think they sometimes coat the board with something to make it smooth.

If it were me, I'd just get a plain cutting board sans glue.

[mamadelbosque]

Why not just look for one thats one solid piece of wood? I know they exist cause' we have at least one like that!!

[nurturebaby]

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque

Why not just look for one thats one solid piece of wood? I know they exist cause' we have at least one like that!!

I would, but I was hoping for one of those very substantial, like 2 inch thick chopping blocks that last forever - won't warp or crack and will just stay on my counter. You can't get one of those that is a solid piece of wood - most (if not all) are end grain due to the thickness.

I'm sick of my cutting boards sliding around on my counters while I'm chopping and I'm really getting into cooking these days - I want something HUGE

I have seen some really nice ones that are solid wood - beautiful, actually! But they are quite small and thin.

[Malva]

Originally Posted by nurturebaby

I'm sick of my cutting boards sliding around on my counters while I'm chopping...

Not answering your main question but putting a wet dishcloth under the cutting board will prevent it from moving around.

Hope it helps!

[nurturebaby]

Originally Posted by Malva

Not answering your main question but putting a wet dishcloth under the cutting board will prevent it from moving around.

Hope it helps!

Oh - thats a good idea - thanks!

Okay, so I found this:

http://www.amazon.com/Totally-Bamboo...=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

This could be what I'm looking for - they advertise that they use formaldehyde-free glue and it's free of dyes, toxins, etc. Plus, it's HUGE and heavy, which is what I've been looking for. Not exactly the color that I was looking for, but I'd rather compromise on looks than quality.

I'm surprised that there is not more info available on this stuff - perhaps it is not really even a problem, but the thought of my food coming into contact with any glue is not really appealing... Although I'd probably prefer that to plastic...

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by nurturebaby

I'm sick of my cutting boards sliding around on my counters while I'm chopping and I'm really getting into cooking these days - I want something HUGE

I have a decent size cutting board and it still slides on my counter (it's reversible so it doesn't have little feet or anything). I cut a piece of that grippy shelf liner stuff (like this) to be just a bit smaller than the board so you can't see it and it does a great job of keeping it in place. Plus when I want to clean underneath it it's still easy to lift the board, shake off the liner in the sink, and put them back.

FWIW my cutting board is 12"x18" and 1.5" thick (end grain though, not edge grain which would be better). It is heavy enough that it's not easy to carry it to the pot when I have a bunch of veggies chopped on it, instead I scoop them up with my hands and bring them to the stove. I think having a slightly lighter board would be easier so I could just carry the whole thing over (what I used to do with my previous cutting board).

Here's a pic of it, DH got it at a local Amish furniture store:
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/DSC_0109.jpg