Your Cart is Empty
You've probably come across various cutting boards from bamboo, plastic, cherry, or oak to the revolutionary tempered glass cutting board. These chopping boards play a significant role in our kitchen, but usually, we don’t associate glass with scratch resistance. So, you might wonder, are glass cutting boards safe?
Tempered glass cutting boards are usually safe to use because they are sturdy, treated for thermal shock, non-porous, and dishwasher-friendly. However, they could be unsafe because the knife may slip while using them. Besides, they might break if they fall, shattering in sharp shards.
In this article, I'll look at the reasons why glass cutting boards might or might not be safe. I’ll also tell you why glass cutting boards, despite their benefits, might not be the best option for you.
While tempered glass cutting boards can be stylish for your kitchen display and personalized to match your taste, they can also be safe compared to wooden or plastic cutting boards.
Tempered glass cutting boards are usually safe because they are durable, easy to clean, and often have a non-slip base. Besides, they don't harbor odors or smells, which can protect you from food poisoning.
Let's expound on the ways that tempered glass cutting boards are great.
Glass cutting boards are more hygienic than their wooden and plastic counterparts. Glass is one of the least porous materials available, so food doesn’t get stuck on its surface.
However, wooden cutting boards usually offer the most porous surface. The texture of a wood cutting board may hold harmful microorganisms that even careful sanitizing will not eliminate. So, to keep food from sticking to them, you need to seal them with oil.
However, this concept often backfires because these oils gradually oxidize (rot) on your board. If the board goes rancid, it's no longer fit for use, and you’ll need to replace it.
Ultimately, glass cutting boards do not require any oil treatment, and they have a smooth, non-porous surface. Therefore, they are safe for cutting poultry, seafood, and raw meat.
In addition, you can use cleaning chemicals such as bleach on them, and the potentially toxic cleaning solution will rinse right off. That means you have more opportunities to ensure that your glass cutting board is sterile, protecting you from food-borne illnesses.
Tempered glass cutting boards usually come with four silicone rubber pads on the backside of the surface. In addition to helping you use the chopping board without fear of sliding off the countertop, the non-slip feet-pads are also durable, heat resistant, and have low chemical reactivity.
If your glass board doesn't have one or want to increase your board's stability, you can buy the Thirteen Chefs Cutting Board Feet (available on Amazon.com) at an affordable price.
Glass cutting boards are odorless and easy to clean, making them safer than most other cutting boards.
You can wash them in your dishwasher, and they do not stain easily. Glass cutting boards are incredibly convenient and the ideal choice if you want a low-maintenance and hygienic surface.
The non-stick surface of tempered glass boards does not collect microorganisms as much as other materials. Ultimately, this is the reason for their relative cleanliness. This surface also makes them simple to clean by rinsing and wiping.
Tempered or toughened glass is processed through thermal treatments to enhance its strength and resistance to heat. It can withstand up to 470° F (243.3º C).
This quality enhances its utility because you can use it as a pot cover. Besides, you can place hot pots and pans on top of the glass without worrying about burn damage.
Tempered glass is also waterproof. You can run off the water on its surface and not damage it.
On the other hand, excessive contact with water makes wooden cutting boards swell, resulting in cracks and splits.
Glass cutting boards provide a variety of advantages, but they also have some drawbacks.
Glass cutting boards might be bad because they can shatter when they fall and are slick, increasing the chance of knife slips. Tempered glass cutting boards also dull knives quickly, may produce an irritating sound, and require more pressure while cutting food.
So, let’s look at these drawbacks in detail and weigh them out against the benefits of using a tempered glass cutting board:
Tempered glass cutting boards have a smooth, non-porous surface, making them a bit slicker than other boards. This slipperiness enhances the potential for significant mishaps like cutting yourself, especially if the knife is sharp.
Even if you are a skilled cook who can chop quickly, your knife could slip at any time, causing you to cut your finger instead.
A glass cutting board's surface may look attractive and easy to clean, but it will dull your blades with only a few cuts. The knife grows blunt when it comes into contact with the hard glass, necessitating more regular sharpening. So, be prepared to sharpen your blades more often if you go with tempered glass.
Toughened glass is not as fragile as regular glass. However, it is more susceptible to breaking than other cutting board materials like wood or plastic if they fall. These pieces of glass can be hazardous, especially if you have kids around.
Additionally, glass boards may fracture or chip while cutting or chopping, contaminating your food.
Glass doesn’t make the soothing sound that wood makes when you chop up your ingredients. Glass may make a nails-on-chalkboard sound that is quite piercing and irritating, especially when you are using back-and-forth motions to cut your food.
So, if you’re sensitive to sounds, a glass cutting board might not be the best pick for you.
A glass chopping board's slick surface isn't suitable for quickly slicing and dicing vast volumes of food. So, to prevent injuries and that shrieking sound that the board makes, you’ll have to slow down and focus on not chopping your fingers off.
Everyone needs a cutting board, but there are many materials, and they all have pros and cons.
Glass cutting boards are safe, durable, easy to sanitize, and dishwasher friendly. However, they break more easily, make irritating noises, dull your knives, and require focus since they’re slick.
All chopping boards will eventually wear out. Make sure to discard them when they do. Remember always to keep your cutting boards clean and buy at least two to prevent cross-contamination of food.
Chef's Vision is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases.
