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Wooden cutting boards are prevalent in almost every kitchen. Cutting boards make it easier to chop vegetables, meat, fish, and every other cooking ingredient that needs cutting.
Overall wooden cutting boards are the best kinds, they are made out of wood materials such as bamboo, oak, Beachwood, and so on. These wooden cutting boards are strong and very durable, but can you put them in the oven?
Quick answer: Yes, you can leave any wooden cutting board in the oven and not worry about it getting damaged or causing damage to the oven. However, how long you can leave a wooden cutting board in the oven grossly depends on the thickness and quality of the wood.
The major use of wooden cutting boards is for chopping, dicing, and cutting cooking ingredients, but then they can also be used in the oven as they are oven safe and can withstand certain levels of heat for a set time.
Although wooden cutting boards are heat resistant to an extent, it is best to avoid it having any contact with direct fire, as they are flammable. There’s so much to find out about wooden cutting boards so let’s get started.
Is A Wooden Cutting Board Heat Resistant?
The short answer to this query is yes. The wooden cutting board is heat-hardy, however, the heat has to be at a fair level else it could catch fire.
Safety precautions must be taken to make the whole process safe. You have to be very sure about the quality and thickness of your wooden cutting board before exposing it to any level of heat.
Ideally, 350 degrees F is fine for a wooden cutting board, but some wooden materials can withstand higher levels of heat even as high as 480 degrees F, However, the average level of heat any wooden cutting board can handle must be used at all times to avoid damages.
Are Wooden Cutting Boards Safe In The Oven?
Yes, wooden cutting boards are perfectly safe in the oven, however, it is best to be sure about the thickness of the wooden cutting board. Also, ensure that you do not leave the oven unattended while cooking with a wooden cutting board as this can possibly start a fire.
More importantly, get rid of any form of dirt on the wooden board, dirt such as oils, or food residue. A recommended safety measure is setting the heat at 350 degrees F and allowing it to cook or bake for about 20-25 minutes.
Is It Okay To Bake With Wooden Cutting Boards?
Yes, it is okay to bake using a wooden cutting board. However, it is not a good idea to cook pizza with a cutting board as the ideal temperature for cooking pizza is between 400-500 degrees F which is way more heat than any wooden cutting board can handle.
It is best to bake any pantry that can cook at 350 degrees F on a wooden cutting board. Make sure to get rid of any food particles or oil from the oven, use only clean wooden cutting boards, preheat the oven, and also allow the recipe to cook or bake for 20-30 minutes.
Can Wooden Cutting Boards Go In The Microwave?
Yes, if used correctly wooden cutting boards can safely be used in the microwave. However not all kinds of wood can be placed in the microwave, softwood can be quite problematic when used in the microwave.
Hardwood is the best fit for the microwave, as long it is clean and void of any food particles that can possibly cause the wood to catch fire. Metal containers should never go into the microwave, or be placed on top of the wooden cutting board in the microwave.
Pro Tip: Place a damp towel on the wooden cutting board to prevent it from warping.
Are Wooden Cutting Boards Safe In the Dishwasher?
No, wooden cutting boards can’t go in the dishwasher. Woods materials unlike every other cooking material do not appreciate staying in the water for too long as they may become too moist or soft.
Asides from the wood getting too soft, most wooden cutting boards are made whole by gluing some sets of wood together, leaving it in the dishwasher can also lessen the grip of the glue and cause the cutting board to fall apart.
However, you can as well take the risk of placing the wooden cutting board in the dishwasher, but it is not recommended. As a lot of things can go wrong with the cutting board, the hot water from the dishwasher can also cause it to splinter or warp, thereby alternatively causing damage to other dishes in the dishwasher.
Pro Tip: It is best to wash wooden cutting boards with your hand. However, if you insist on using the dishwasher and the wooden cutting board gets warped, there is still hope as the wooden boards can still be used. Always make sure the wooden cutting board isn’t left in the water for too long and ensure to dry it out at all times.
Final Thoughts
There is absolutely nothing wrong with using wooden cutting boards in the oven as they are mostly heat resistant. However, it is best to set the oven at an average of 350 degrees F, as any temperature higher than that can possibly cause it to catch fire.
Also make sure to preheat the oven before placing the wooden cutting board in it, Try as much as possible to not leave the wooden board in the oven longer than 30 minutes as well.
Always pay attention to the quality of your wooden cutting board before introducing it to heat above 350 degrees F.
More importantly, ensure that the wooden cutting board is very clean, as if there is no food splatter or oil on it, a wet wooden cutting board should also not be placed in the oven.