Foundations Cutting Board

Both boards are identical in design and functionality, so choose based on your aesthetic preferences. From a visual standpoint, the darker walnut wood may look and contrast better in kitchens with light counters and cabinets.

Walnut wood is more expensive to source because its trees are limited in the US and grow more slowly, making it a premium product.

While maple is slightly harder than walnut, the edge-grain construction of the boards means both wood types won’t dull knives.

With care and maintenance, these boards are meant to last a lifetime. The thicker construction means the boards will resist warping, especially if kept from drying out with a wood conditioner or mineral oil. We recommend flipping and rotating the board frequently so one spot doesn’t wear out unevenly on the surface.

We wanted to make the only cutting board that you will need to cook well for the rest of your life, and we landed on 24x18x1.5 as the optimal size for the average home cook. This fits horizontally or vertically onto a standard counter.

You need ample room for proper knife skills and to mise-en-place everything without crowding your workspace. A sturdy board creates a stable surface that won’t rock or slide on you, especially if you stabilize it with a wet paper towel underneath.

These cutting boards are constructed with the edge of the wood exposed to the cutting surface (as opposed to the face or end), meaning knife edges can slide into the grains of the wood without dulling. End-grain construction is an even softer option, but it’s unsuitable for larger boards like this one. We actually prefer edge-grain over end-grain because it has a smoother surface that absorbs less liquids and smells. Edge-grain also requires less wood conditioner to remain sealed and is easier to sand and wipe clean.

Yes, our boards are finished with an initial coating of mineral oil and beeswax. That said, we recommend conditioning the board with another layer of wood conditioner or mineral oil before first use. Boards can dry out during transportation or quickly after their first wash. You’ll need to condition your board more often when it is new, but over time it will develop a longer-lasting seal.

Do not run this board through the dishwasher since that will strip the conditioning and could split the board over time.

When maintained with a wood conditioner, the wood will develop a near-watertight seal that can easily be wiped or scraped clean. Clear the surface with a towel or bench scraper. After heavier use, hand wash with warm, soapy water and dry thoroughly. Recondition as necessary with wood conditioner or mineral oil anytime the wood feels dry. See the care kit page for more details.

Yes. The reversible design means you can designate one side for poultry, meat, and fish.

If cutting a strongly pigmented ingredient (like beets or turmeric), we recommend wiping down the board immediately to avoid staining.

A butcher block-style board is meant to live on the counter. We’ve designed our board with aesthetics in mind, opting for visually appealing chamfered edges and exposed wood grain design.

If you’re used to small cutting boards that you can bring over to the stove, you can use a metal spatula or bench scraper to transfer ingredients to the pan. If you need to flip, move, or rinse off the board in the sink, our recessed handles make it easy to do so.

While juice grooves can catch drippings from slicing meat, they also interfere with scraping off ingredients and cleaning & conditioning the board. We’ve found juice grooves to be more of an annoyance than a help on cutting boards. We’ve specifically omitted a juice groove to optimize space and make wiping the board clean much easier.

A completely flat, smooth surface also doubles as a dough-kneading, shaping, or rolling workspace. If you ever have excess moisture on the board, the fully flat surface is easy to wipe or scrape off.

We do not. All sales are final. If you have a problem with your order, please email us at support@cookwell.com

Unfortunately we cannot fulfill international orders for this batch. US shipping only.