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I tried Ina and Giada's favorite cutting board: A professional baker's review
Wooden Boos Block cutting boards are hailed as being ultra-durable and better for knives — but are they worth the splurge?
Ah, the humble cutting board — one of the most underrated tools in the kitchen, in my opinion. Sure, it's something many of us use on a daily basis, but how much thought do you really put into buying one, compared to, say, a new knife set? I'll admit, even as a professional baker, I've always purchased whatever cheap board I could find — usually of the plastic variety. But in an effort to reduce the amount of plastic in my kitchen, I started looking for alternatives.
Enter: The Boos Block Cutting Board. Beloved by some of the most famous food personalities like Ina Garten, Giada De Laurentiis, Rachael Ray, even Reese Witherspoon, these solid-wood boards are acclaimed for their durability and craftsmanship. They're also on the pricier side, and I'm generally a very frugal gal (there's a reason I became a deals writer!).
That said, I've been using one for a few months now. Is it worth it? Keep scrolling for my full review.
Most of my cutting boards have been plastic, but I went against the grain to see if I belong on Team Wood.
- Sturdy and doesn't slide...
- Made of wood, not plastic...
- High-quality and built to last...
- ...but it's quite heavy
- ...so it requires some maintenance
- ...with a high price tag to match
Cutting boards aren't the first thing one thinks of when it comes to baking, but when I worked in a professional kitchen, I was constantly reaching for them, whether I was cubing butter for pastries or slicing fruit. I still cook and bake at home all the time, so I wanted a board that could withstand a lot of chopping.
As an Ina Garten obsessive, I trust her entirely when it comes to kitchen gear — and as reported by The Kitchn, the John Boos maple block is her standby. "Butcher blocks ... they're really important," she says in a New York Times video about her kitchen essentials. "I have lots of them, and if you take care of them, they last forever."
Giada's a fan too. "A good cutting board is often overlooked, but it makes all the difference at prep time," says the Food Network star, via the same article by The Kitchn. "Boos Boards are made of solid hardwood (I love the maple) and are a favorite among professional chefs." Sold!
Putting it to the test
My Boos Block arrived a few months ago — maple, of course, which the brand says is "resilient for daily chopping" — and the first thing I noticed was its heft. These things aren't light! That said, I'd much rather a sturdy cutting board than a flimsy one. (There are smaller and larger boards than the 20"x15" one I bought, FYI.) I placed it on my counter and admired it; it's much more aesthetically pleasing than my nicked-up plastic boards.
Later that evening, I christened the Boos Block by chopping some vegetables — three pounds of assorted bell peppers and basil. One of the most common compliments this board has received is that it has enough space for chopping multiple ingredients without requiring extra bowls and such for storing the cut-up pieces. Well, all you have to do is look at the photo below to see I had room to spare after slicing up six peppers and a bunch of basil.
While I was chopping, I noticed that when my knife made contact with the wood, it felt much gentler than the plastic cutting boards I've used. I'd heard that wood was supposed to be easier on knife blades, thanks to its softer texture, which helps keep them from getting dull as quickly. Hey, I'll take it!
My chopping did create marks from the get-go, but it is a cutting board, after all. And since it's reversible, you could use one side for slicing and one for display if you really wanted to. When it was time to clean up, I brought the board over to my sink, which was made easier by the two handles carved into the sides. I rinsed it off with warm water, lightly wiped with soap and dried it off. I was pleased to see that the more prominent veggie juice stains I'd been skeptical about completely disappeared. Since then, I've been able to clean dark blueberry jam splotches and more from it without issue.
Now, wooden cutting boards are more high-maintenance than plastic ones, and Boos recommends applying their Mystery Oil and Board Cream on a regular basis to help keep them from drying out. These are sold separately, but I've found they're worth purchasing, especially since these boards are an investment you'll want to last a long time. All you do is apply each one about once a month and let the board sit out overnight — it couldn't be easier.
Having used my Boos Block for several months now, I can say I much prefer it to my plastic cutting boards, which I've since thrown out. It's won a permanent spot on my counter, and even with some scratch marks, it's much more attractive. Because it's on the heavier side, I don't have to worry about it slipping around my counter while I'm slicing. It also gives me peace of mind to know I'm not unintentionally causing plastic to enter my food, and I'll happily keep using any product that'll prolong the life of my knives. It was clearly built to last, which, in my opinion, warrants the higher price tag. The Boos Block is worth it, y'all!
A cut above
Thousands of Amazon customers are also fans of these boards — here's what they had to say.
"Terrific cutting board," raved one happy home cook. "I have the tiniest kitchen in my apartment, and after watching some organizing videos, I realized I should make my small counter space completely covered by this sturdy cutting board. Why bother storing those dinky bamboo cutting boards when my complete surface is usable for food prep!"
"Finally a cutting board that stays put," wrote another. "Basically a commercial-grade cutting board suitable for your kitchen if you have the room. ... [The] construction is absolutely amazing. ... Looks awesome out of the box, but after washing and oiling I wanted to leave it out all the time."
"Not just for cutting," shared a third buyer, who found a different use. "I needed a nice sturdy, dense base to minimize [the] vibrations [of] my electronics, and this fit the bill perfectly. ... Looks amazing, and I’m sure it will last a very long time."
Several reviewers cautioned that you might get an arm workout with this thing, and I can attest to that. "I carefully measured my board so it could fit in the sink so I can clean it, however, it's very heavy," wrote an otherwise satisfied shopper.
"This is a good, solid piece," shared a final user. "However, the finish is rougher than I would expect. Feels like it still needs a final sanding. Would recommend that you have plenty of block oil available." (Keep scrolling for that!)
You won't hear any "Boos" from me! This board's a keeper.
Boos Blocks do require some upkeep (as do all wooden cutting boards), and this duo makes a smart add-on.
This set includes both an oil and cream for keeping the block hydrated, because letting it dry out could result in the wood splitting. Plus, smoothing out the surface makes for easier cleaning. The brand recommends applying regularly at first, then once per month for maintenance (or more if you notice it drying out). Shiny cutting board = pretty countertop!
"This soaked well into my cutting boards, one new one and a well-used board," reported a user. "I followed the instructions and let the oil soak in overnight, and then used the board cream to finish up, allowing it to dry overnight. The boards have a nice finish now, and repel moisture better than before and clean up much easier."
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
