The cutting board is an essential utensil in the kitchen, allowing you to finely chop your ingredients while protecting your table or counter from knife marks. However, with most of these boards, you will notice a hole in the side. Although it is used as a sleeve of sorts, this small hole has a very different use that very few people know about!

No, this hole is not just a handle for moving or hanging the cutting board. The real reason this slot exists might surprise you. It would probably be of great use after cutting food. Once you learn about it, you will use your cutting board differently!

What is the hole in the cutting board for?

Most cutting boards have a round or rectangular hole. However, few people use it other than as a kind of handle or as a support for hanging. By discovering its true use, you will surely change the way you use it.

  • The hole in the cutting board, a kind of funnel

Although it is useful to hold the cutting board, the slot in this instrument is necessary to pour chopped food onto a plate or container. In fact, some of the herbs or other vegetables chopped there often end up on the kitchen counter. By using the hole in the board, you will then have fewer “misses” when transferring diced vegetables or meat to a plate or bowl. This type of funnel then makes this dangerous task easier and allows you to gently push the small pieces without getting everywhere.

Other tips for using the cutting board

As the name suggests, the cutting board is mainly used to cut certain ingredients used in cooking, such as meat, vegetables, fruits and many other foods, into small pieces or thin strips. For optimal use, it is best to follow these additional tips for use:

  • Choose the material of your cutting board carefully

By using a cutting board, you can freely vary the shapes of your ingredients without worrying about the consequences for the kitchen furniture. However, it is important to carefully choose the material of this indispensable kitchen tool. Wood (beech or maple) is preferred for its strength and also for its antibacterial properties. However, if it is not solid, it could be easily damaged. Therefore, a majority directs their choice to plastic panels, which are both strong, non-porous and, above all, lighter than wood. For its more hygienic side, some people will rather opt for the glass board which is easier to wash. The only downside is that the sound of the knife blade can be annoying, especially since it should be handled with care to avoid breakage. The marble top is appreciated for its design. However, it will be difficult to carry. You may even find scratches related to the impact of the knives after a few uses.

  • Follow these few hygiene rules to take care of your cutting board

Generally, it is recommended to wash your cutting board right after each use. Prefer hot water with a brush or a sponge soaked in detergent. It is also possible to clean it with white vinegar, which is suitable for all materials. Spray the liquid directly onto your board before scrubbing and rinsing it with a brush. The acetic acid will wash your board while eliminating any bacteria that may have settled there.

To thoroughly clean your wooden board, you can immerse it in a basin of hot soapy water. It is even possible to use coarse salt to clean it well. Let it soak for a few minutes before drying it with a dry kitchen towel. It is recommended to air dry this kitchen tool that does not tolerate moisture.

The plastic plate can be put in the dishwasher without hesitation. However, it is not necessary to wash it with bleach for disinfection. This product certainly serves to disinfect and eliminate bacteria, but it is not a cleaning product. In the same way, you can clean your glass board in the dishwasher or with your usual dishwashing detergent.

The usefulness of the hole for the cutting board is finally revealed! However, for optimal use of all these kitchen utensils, it is advisable to adapt the choice of material to its needs and preferences, and after each use to follow the rules of essential hygiene.