Wooden cutting boards add convenience to chores. Since the material can resist heat, it is okay to put a hot pot or a bowl of warm food over it.
Other than its conventional use, the wooden cutting board is used in the oven sometimes. A lot may doubt this action since wood is a flammable material. Hence we tried to clear your views by answering whether it is safe to put a wooden cutting board in the oven.
Can you put a wooden cutting board in the oven?
You can put a wooden cutting board inside an oven. However, it is inadvisable. A quality wooden board can withstand almost 350 degrees Fahrenheit of heat. Nevertheless, the wooden board may get damaged if the oven contains more heat. Hence, when using a wooden board, be careful about temperature.
A wooden cutting board can resist a good level of temperature. Therefore, it is okay to put it in the oven. However, the oven temperature should not exceed this temperature. For example, hardwood cutting boards won’t catch fire until it reaches 482 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, using harsh and concentrated cleaners on boards can make it vulnerable to temperature. The wood may dry out, warp, or crack. It is also essential to know and track the temperature in your oven.
Here we have discussed two different settings to learn how a wooden cutting board may react inside a heated oven.
In the microwave:
An oven is used widely to disinfect wooden cutting boards. Putting a board in a high setting for 30 to 60 seconds can terminate bacteria effectively.
However, since the wooden board has a specific melting point, we need to ensure that the temperature is below that. Otherwise, it could ruin the board, burn or even result in accidents.
In a preheated warm oven:
Many use the wooden cutting board in a preheated oven. It is though safe, not recommended. A moderate oven heats up to 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, while a hot microwave oven can go up to 400–450 degrees Fahrenheit.
So when using a board in a preheated oven, we need to make sure it does not exceed 350 degrees Fahrenheit, the burning point of a wooden board.
Why can or can’t you put a wooden cutting board in the oven?
While a few circumstances allow you to use a wooden cutting board in the oven, some conditions may not be agreeable. Here are some possible situations.
Wooden board burning temperature:
A wooden cutting board can resist 350 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature. Therefore, when you put a wooden board inside an oven, you should keep the temperature below 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Disinfecting board using heat:
When disinfecting a wooden cutting board, many people use the oven. It proved to be an effective method for terminating bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.
However, you need to maintain a heat level that does not go over the melting point of the wooden board. Again, set the time for 30 to 60 seconds.
Quality wooden board:
It is essential to get a quality board. A low-graded board may not have the same temperature withstanding level. For example, a hardwood board would only burn if the temperature outdoes 482 degrees Fahrenheit.
Avoid abrasive chemicals:
Do not use harsh chemicals when cleaning a wooden cutting board. You may be wondering how an abrasive cleaner interferes with oven heat.
Well, cleaning with harsh chemicals makes the wooden cutting board dry. As a result, they become more prone to burning when exposed to heat. Therefore, make sure to use something mild to wash the wooden board and avoid dryness.
Can you cook pizza on a wooden cutting board?
It is possible to use a wooden cutting board in the pizza-making process. It is practiced worldwide. Since the wooden boards specified for pizza-making can be a little expensive and may be unavailable at home, many prefer wooden cutting boards.
However, there are still some restrictions. Firstly, a pizza requires a lot of temperature to cook.
A large thick crust pizza needs almost 400 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Hence, when making a thick-crusted pizza, it is not possible to use a wooden cutting board. Again, a thin crust pizza requires a low temperature to cook. Heat up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit is enough.
A preheated oven for pizza maintains 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit that is a lot compared to the wooden board melting point. Hence, you cannot use the wooden cutting board in such a temperature.
Is a wooden cutting board heat resistant? How heat resistant is it?
A wooden cutting board is a popular choice for it is comfortable to use. The material is heat-resistant. A quality wooden chopping board can withstand up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature.
However, wood tends to absorb smell easily and is more prone to mold and mildew growth. Nevertheless, you can easily address this situation.
You can again use a wooden cutting board inside an oven. Even one can use a hot pan or pot over the board. It will not ruin the texture or the surface with charred marks. It, however, depends on how long you are keeping the pans over the boards.
The temperature should not go above 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This level of temperature could ruin the wooden chopping board when put inside a heated oven. The board can burn and even result in a massive accident.
Are wood cutting boards flammable?
Wooden cutting boards can burn as it is made of wood which is a flammable material. A good-quality wooden cutting board can resist an extensive level of heat. Wooden boards can withstand 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once again, a hardwood cutting board would only burn when it reaches a temperature of 482 degrees Fahrenheit. So it will be a good idea not to keep the wooden cutting board in front of a fire or heated oven.
How to use and maintain a wood cutting board?
Maintaining a wooden cutting board keeps it intact for a long time. It is also hygienic. Here we have written some methods to use and conserve a wooden cutting board.
Avoid heat:
Though it is not a big problem exposing the wooden cutting board to heat, you need to be careful.
You can put a hot pan over the cutting board as they do not contain too much heat. Again when you are using it inside an oven, do not go over the melting temperature of the wooden cutting board.
Using a knife:
When you use a knife for cutting, make sure you cut using different places. Otherwise, you may create deep cuts or cause extensive damage in one place only.
Avoid abrasive cleaner:
Never use a harsh chemical in cleaning the cutting board. It will over-dry the board and increase the chance of cracking when it comes in close contact with heat.
Clean after each use:
Do not keep your wooden cutting board aside to clean later. The food odor and germs can soak in. Therefore, clean the board as soon as you finished working on it. Also, do not clean it inside a dishwasher.
Sanitize when necessary:
When you cut something raw, do not forget to clean and sanitize the cutting board. Meat liquids can soak in and can expose the board to dangerous bacteria. Regular washing of it will keep the board free of germs.
You can also use vinegar or a solution of 1 and a half teaspoons of bleach in four cups of water.
Use mineral oil for seasoning:
The wooden cutting board gets dry with regular use. Therefore, you may season the cutting board to bring back the shine. For that, you can use oil. It will also prevent the wood from cracking.
Do not soak in the sink:
Do not keep your wooden chopping board soaked with other utensils inside the sink. If possible, clean it the right away separately.
Final thoughts
It is safe to use a wooden cutting board inside an oven. However, you should ensure that the temperature is less than 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It is the burning point of a wooden cutting board. It is, however, not preferred. Hence, avoid putting a wooden board inside the oven.