The Boardsmith Chopping Board Evaluate

I discovered my first picket slicing board at a thrift retailer whereas purchasing for my post-college condominium. It had a round burn mark on one facet the place somebody set down a still-hot piece of cookware, however I beloved all of it the identical. 

I saved it for a number of years till it cracked, regardless of my vigilant repairs. An undisclosed period of time later (don’t ask me how previous I’m!), I began working at Severe Eats and commenced to spend money on a lot of our favourite merchandise. This included our longtime beneficial picket slicing board from The Boardsmith. It’s a far cry from my thrifted board, in one of the best ways potential. After experiencing its high quality, I’m hesitant to purchase one other model’s boards ever once more. 

Why It’s Nice

They’re Meticulously Crafted and Sturdy, However Received’t Harm Knives

The Boardsmith is a family-run enterprise in North Carolina that places the utmost care into its slicing boards. It’s evident from the second you unpack a Boardsmith board: It’s coated in board butter and wrapped in paper to make sure it makes it to you unparched and excellent. Previous to delivery, the boards are “given a soak in our pharmacy-grade mineral oil tank for 30+ minutes,” the firm says.

The top-grain floor is extremely easy, and the boards are handcrafted out of hardwoods. And for those who’re questioning why a Boardsmith appears cohesive and fewer like a checkerboard, it’s as a result of The Boardsmith makes use of a “distinctive ‘Carolina slab’ sample of vast sections of hardwood to reduce the variety of glue joints and to stagger the glue strains.” This lessens the probability of cracks from weak seams. 

These boards aren’t simply type, although. They’ll maintain up for years of hardcore chopping. “I have been utilizing The Boardsmith for years now, each at work and residential. It’s by far the most effective, most well-made, sturdy picket slicing board I’ve ever come throughout,” says editorial director Daniel Gritzer. “Even after years of wear and tear and tear—and actually, at instances flat-out abuse and neglect—there’s not a crack or fissure or signal of something even suggesting essentially the most minor of failures. These boards are true beasts and completely well worth the price ticket.”

Commerce editor Grace Kelly, who just lately examined The Boardsmith towards 13 different picket slicing boards, echoes this. “I’ve had my Boardsmith for practically 4 years, and I exploit it each day,” Grace says. “It is stood the check of time—the floor is almost prefer it was after I first plunked it on my countertop: buttery easy and with out blemish. Not solely is it in pristine situation, but it surely retains my knives that method, too, making certain they keep sharp for longer. This held true after I examined picket slicing boards, too—it blew my thoughts how another boards left knives boring after a number of swipes.”

They’re Out there in Quite a few Sizes

We’ve lengthy beneficial The Boardsmith’s Carolina dimension (16 by 22 inches), which I personal and love. It’s big and also you’ll by no means run out of prep house. It’s additionally what we advocate for those who’re in search of a carving board. That stated, I additionally personal the Butcher dimension (12 by 18 inches) and discover myself reaching for it extra typically. It’s nonetheless lots massive, however a lot simpler to scrub in my sink. For one thing even smaller, we additionally advocate the charcuterie board.

Moreover dimension, The Boardsmith lets you additional customise your board by including finger grooves, a juice effectively, and/or ft. These boards aren’t precisely mild, so I do respect the finger grooves for choosing it up. Should you’re going to do any carving, a juice effectively is a should. And whereas ft imply the board received’t be reversible, they’re non-slip and assist the board simply dry out after washing. I extremely advocate including them.

FAQs

Is The Boardsmith value it? 

Our reply is a powerful sure. Our testing and long-term use present that The Boardsmith’s high quality and craftsmanship are unparalleled. Whereas the boards are costly, they’ll final perpetually with correct upkeep. 

What’s the greatest thickness for a picket slicing board?

The Boardsmith boards are two inches thick. This thickness provides to their longevity, serving to to stop warping and cracking over time.

Why We’re the Consultants

• Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the affiliate commerce editorial director at Severe Eats. She’s been with the location since 2021 and beforehand labored for America’s Take a look at Kitchen and Food52. 
• Riddley’s been testing gear professionally for greater than six years. 
• She’s owned her Boardsmith slicing board for a number of years.