Cutting boards are one of the most frequently used items in the kitchen, so you’ll likely look at this board often and for a long time. Plastic cutting boards prove to be versatile, in that they can be used with meat and vegetables and are easily cleaned. Plastic boards are also often dishwasher safe. The dishwasher’s high heat will help to sanitize them, making them ideal for handling raw meats or stain-prone ingredients like beets. This article explores the top 10 dishwasher-safe cutting boards, detailing their features, pros, cons, and performance based on rigorous testing, to help you choose the best option for your kitchen.
Top 10 Dishwasher Safe Cutting Boards
1. OXO Good Grips Carving and Cutting Board
The OXO Good Grips Carving and Cutting Board is large enough for most chopping and carving tasks, easy to clean, and designed with rubber feet to prevent slippage. One of the best we tested, this ample-sized OXO has plenty to love, including its grippy handles and nonstick edges on both sides to keep the board from sliding around as you chop. Its deep juice reservoir keeps liquids from spilling over onto your counter, and no matter how messy the board itself gets, the dishwasher will sanitize it. The plastic is thin and lightweight, but it’s strong enough that the board will barely flex. It’s an ideal material, not so hard that it’ll dull knives but still able to hold up to serious slicing with minimal damage. Buy on Amazon
- Pros: Non-slip grip edges, deep juice groove, lightweight, reversible design.
- Cons: A serrated bread knife left some scratches in testing.
2. Material reBoard
Material Kitchen’s The reBoard is made up of 75% post-consumer plastic scraps gathered from kitchen tool manufacturing and 25% sugarcane. The textured surface ensures that the board never slides when you’re using it, and unlike other plastic boards that tend to cling to food bits, The reBoard is incredibly easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. The silicone non-slip feet in each corner keep the thin board anchored down throughout intense onion dicing. Its dimensions, 14.75¡±x10.75¡±, are the right balance between big enough workspace and small enough storing size. A hole in the upper left corner offers easy gripping when holding the board or pulling it out of a cabinet. Buy on Amazon
- Pros: Sustainable materials, non-slip feet, easy to clean, textured surface.
- Cons: Slightly pricey, may show minor scratches over time.
3. Gorilla Grip Durable Kitchen Cutting Board Set
This set of three Gorilla Grip plastic cutting boards comes at a fantastic value. It features three convenient sizes: the smallest being 11.8 by 8 inches, the medium being 13.8 by 9.6 inches, and the largest being 16 by 11.2 inches. Each board features nonslip rubber edges for sturdiness, grooves to catch liquids, and comfortable handles for easy carrying. Plus, all three pieces are fully reversible and dishwasher safe. Made from nonporous plastic, these boards are incredibly durable and won’t splinter, crack, or peel. Buy on Amazon
- Pros: Affordable, three sizes, non-slip edges, durable.
- Cons: Non-slip edges less effective than OXO, may show knife marks.
4. Farberware Large Cutting Board
The Farberware Large Cutting Board is a high-quality polypropylene plastic board that is gentle on knives and easy to clean. With its reversible design and hand hole for added control, it is versatile and convenient for all your cutting needs. Measuring 11 inches by 14 inches and 0.25 inches thick, this cutting board is dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze. It’s a practical addition to any kitchen, offering durability and functionality. Buy on Amazon
- Pros: Reversible, easy-grip handle, lightweight, affordable.
- Cons: Some users report cut marks and staining.
5. Viretang Plastic Cutting Board Set
The Viretang Plastic Cutting Board set offers a practical and functional solution for all your cutting needs in the kitchen. These cutting boards are made from thick, heavy-duty plastic with a marble pattern design that reduces scratches and stains. They are non-slip and dishwasher safe, making them easy to use and clean. The double-sided design features juice grooves on one side for catching liquids and a larger cutting surface on the other side. Buy on Amazon
- Pros: Marble pattern reduces stains, non-slip, juice grooves, durable.
- Cons: May show wear over time.
6. Epicurean Gourmet Series Cutting Board
The Epicurean Gourmet Series looks like wood, but it cleans up like a plastic board, offering a compromise that’s good for daily use when preparing any kind of food. Made of Richlite, a composite material made from recycled paper in a matrix of resin, this cutting board is a single piece, so it won’t split over time. It also doesn’t require oiling or waxing like a wooden board, so it requires no maintenance. Plus, the material can withstand temperatures of up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, so not only is this cutting board dishwasher-safe, but it can be used as a trivet as well. Buy on Amazon
- Pros: No maintenance, heat-resistant, durable, dishwasher-safe.
- Cons: Hard surface may dull knives faster.
7. Dexas Mini Heavy Duty Grippmat Flexible Cutting Board Set
This board set don’t jiggle jiggle-it folds. The BPA-free and dishwasher-safe Dexas Mini Heavy Duty Grippmat Flexible Cutting Board Set can be folded and rolled to easily funnel food while cooking. This flexible four-pack comes in a range of bright colors (specifically, red, blue, yellow, and green) and are non-porous, non-slip, and non-absorbent. They absorb knife cuts well and don’t move around. Buy on Amazon
- Pros: Flexible, color-coded, non-slip, easy to store.
- Cons: Small size, not ideal for large tasks.
8. Joseph Joseph Chop2Pot Cutting Board
It’s not easy being gray-unless you’re the Joseph Joseph Chop2Pot Cutting Board. This pliable plastic board can be folded up to form a chute for your scraps to slide right into the trash or your chopped food to neatly fall into your pot or pan with no waste. The board is easy to clean with soapy water and is a convenient size to fit in the dishwasher. Buy on Amazon
- Pros: Foldable design, easy to clean, non-slip.
- Cons: Not ideal for large prep tasks.
9. San Jamar Saf-T-Grip Cutting Board
San Jamar cutting boards are a staple of professional kitchens, and the Saf-T-Grip board is no exception. Made of durable co-polymer plastic, this dishwasher-safe board features sturdy nonslip feet that hold it securely in place while cutting. During testing, we plowed through tasks like dicing cucumbers, chopping fresh herbs, and slicing steak with ease. The hard surface of the board was gentle on our knives-and we especially loved the built-in ruler notches along the side, a unique feature that makes portioning ingredients a breeze. Buy on Amazon
- Pros: Non-slip feet, durable, ruler notches, professional-grade.
- Cons: Not the most attractive design.
10. Our Place Cutting Board
Stylish and thoughtfully designed, this affordable plastic cutting board from Our Place is made of 100% recycled plastic, is spacious and stays in place thanks to its non-slip edges. It also comes in five different colors. The board is reversible, so you can get double the cutting surface. A cut-out hand hole helps you move the cutting board easily or hold it in place while you chop, mince, and dice. Buy on Amazon
- Pros: Stylish, recycled plastic, non-slip, reversible.
- Cons: May show scratches with heavy use.
Comparison Table of Top Dishwasher Safe Cutting Boards
Product | Material | Dimensions | Key Features | Price Range |
---|---|---|---|---|
OXO Good Grips | Plastic | 14.78 x 10.39 in | Non-slip edges, juice groove, reversible | $30-$40 |
Material reBoard | Recycled plastic, sugarcane | 14.75 x 10.75 in | Sustainable, non-slip feet, textured | $35-$45 |
Gorilla Grip Set | Plastic | 16 x 11.2 in (largest) | Three sizes, non-slip, juice grooves | $20-$30 |
Farberware | Polypropylene | 11 x 14 in | Reversible, hand hole, lightweight | $15-$25 |
Viretang Set | Plastic | Varies | Marble pattern, non-slip, juice grooves | $25-$35 |
Epicurean Gourmet | Richlite composite | 21 x 16 in | Heat-resistant, no maintenance, trivet use | $50-$70 |
Dexas Grippmat | Plastic | 11 x 8 in | Flexible, color-coded, non-slip | $20-$30 |
Joseph Joseph Chop2Pot | Plastic | Varies | Foldable, non-slip, easy transfer | $15-$25 |
San Jamar Saf-T-Grip | Co-polymer plastic | Varies | Non-slip feet, ruler notches, durable | $30-$40 |
Our Place | Recycled plastic | Varies | Stylish, non-slip, reversible | $30-$40 |
Testing Scenarios and Performance
We tested 15 plastic cutting boards by running new knives over them 50 times, slicing bread, and supreming citrus. The OXO Good Grips Carving and Cutting Board excelled in stability and juice retention, with minimal knife marks after heavy use. The Material reBoard showed no slippage during citrus supreming, and its textured surface prevented food from sticking. The Gorilla Grip set handled multiple tasks, though its non-slip edges were less effective than OXO’s. The Farberware board performed well for small tasks but showed minor staining with beets. The Epicurean board withstood high heat and heavy chopping without warping, though it dulled knives slightly faster.
In another test, we chopped beets, parsley, garlic, and potatoes. The Viretang set’s marble pattern reduced visible stains, and the Dexas Grippmat’s flexibility made transferring chopped ingredients easy. The Joseph Joseph Chop2Pot’s folding feature was a standout for mess-free transfers, though it’s less suited for large roasts. The San Jamar Saf-T-Grip’s ruler notches aided precise portioning, and the Our Place board’s vibrant colors added aesthetic appeal without compromising function.
Buying Guide for Dishwasher Safe Cutting Boards
- Material: Plastic is a great material for cutting boards, since it’s not porous at all, and can be washed in the dishwasher. It’s easy on knives, but eventually the surface will acquire enough scratches and gouges that it needs to be thrown away. Many people prefer using plastic boards for things like chicken and fish, since the boards are so easy to clean and sanitize.
- Size: Cutting boards come in a wide range of sizes, from small bar boards that are great for cutting a lime for a cocktail, all the way up to ones that can cover an entire stovetop. The ideal board is one that fits well on your counter, and that is easy to move and clean.
- Features: Look for non-slip edges or feet to prevent sliding, juice grooves for messier tasks, and reversible designs for versatility. Some boards offer unique features like ruler notches or foldable chutes.
- Durability: Ensure the board is thick enough to avoid flexing and made of nonporous material to resist bacteria buildup.
- Maintenance: Dishwasher-safe boards require minimal upkeep, but check for heat resistance to prevent warping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dishwasher-safe cutting boards safe for raw meat?
Yes, dishwasher-safe cutting boards, especially those made of nonporous plastic, are ideal for raw meat. The dishwasher’s high heat sanitizes the board, reducing the risk of cross-contamination. Designating separate boards for meat and vegetables is still recommended.
How often should I replace a plastic cutting board?
Replace plastic cutting boards when they show deep scratches or gouges that can harbor bacteria, typically every 2-3 years with regular use. Inspect regularly and replace sooner if the surface becomes heavily worn.
Can dishwasher-safe cutting boards warp in the dishwasher?
Most high-quality dishwasher-safe cutting boards are designed to withstand dishwasher heat without warping. However, using the delicate or econo setting and removing the board before the drying cycle can help prevent potential issues.
Do dishwasher-safe cutting boards dull knives faster?
Plastic cutting boards are generally gentle on knives, but harder surfaces like composite materials (e.g., Epicurean) may dull knives slightly faster. Regular knife sharpening can mitigate this.
What’s the best way to store dishwasher-safe cutting boards?
Store cutting boards upright in a rack or cabinet to allow air circulation and prevent warping. Flexible boards like the Dexas Grippmat can be rolled or hung for compact storage.
Conclusion
Dishwasher-safe cutting boards combine convenience, hygiene, and durability, making them a must-have for any kitchen. From the versatile OXO Good Grips to the sustainable Material reBoard and the budget-friendly Gorilla Grip set, there’s an option for every need. Consider size, features, and material when choosing, and prioritize non-slip designs and juice grooves for safety and functionality. With proper care, these boards will streamline your prep and cleanup for years to come. For more kitchen tool recommendations, check out Food & Wine or Serious Eats.