Is Ash Good for Cutting Boards? (Pros, Cons & More)

Is Ash Good for Cutting Boards? (Pros, Cons & More)

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Are you considering making a cutting board for your next woodworking project? If so, you may be struggling to choose which type of wood you want to use. One choice on your mind might be ash.

Here’s our view of ash, the good and the bad, to help you make up your mind.

Is Ash Good for Cutting Boards?

Ash is a good choice when considering which timber might be best for making a cutting board. It is water resistant and durable, two properties that ensure an ash cutting board would be a fine addition to any chef’s toolkit.

Ash has quite an open grain, so it’s not usually recommended for end grain cutting boards (i.e. butcher’s blocks). However, this material sits at 1,320 lbf on the Janka hardness scale, which puts it right in the middle of the best rating for cutting boards made with an edge grain.

This wood is easy to work on and finishes well, and with regular maintenance, an ash cutting board can last a very long time. It is widely available and inexpensive too, so it is a good choice for those on a budget.

Is Ash Food-Safe?

Ash is a food-safe wood and is used extensively for furniture and other household items. It is safe for use with food in a kitchen setting, where attention should be paid to ensure the cutting board is properly cleaned and maintained.

Some would say that due to the open pores of the end grain, it is better not to use it as a butcher’s block, where the knife will come down and part the fibers. There is the possibility that this could produce a gradual build-up of food particles and bacteria.

Having said that, ash can still be a positive choice for use in butcher’s blocks as its open-pored grain is less tough on knife edges than some other timbers, however, it will need rigorous cleaning if it is to be employed in this way.

Additionally, the edge grain can be hard to work with, making it difficult to achieve a desirably smooth finish. Even with carefully sharpened tools the grain can sometimes split out. A better idea is to glue ash on its end grain, as it will take adhesive well, and focus on using ash to create edge grain chopping boards.

Advantages of Using Ash for a Cutting Board

Next, let’s look at why this is a good option.

Appearance

Ash has a wonderful light color, making it an attractive hardwood to use and display in your kitchen. Over time, with exposure to daylight, the wood will darken richly.

Hardness

It has a Janka hardness rating of 1,320 lbf, putting it right in the sweet spot for cutting boards. It’s not so hard that it will blunt your kitchen knives, but is durable enough to last. Ash’s resilience means that it will not end up covered in numerous nicks, small cuts, and scratches, thereby keeping its finish reasonably well.

Ash is incredibly strong and resistant to shocks such as receiving the chopping action from a kitchen knife, while still being much easier to cut, drill and plane. With good, regular maintenance, cleaning, oiling, etc., an ash cutting board can last and look great for many years.

It is an ideal timber for making ‘dry’ cutting boards for use with bakery products, which will only come in contact with water when being cleaned. As a breadboard, ash is an ideal candidate for the job.

Sustainability

Ash is fast-growing, eco-friendly, and sustainable. It is also widely available, and inexpensive, making it an affordable, ethical choice for the woodworker. There are several species native to North America, so it is a wood that should be on the shelves of almost every lumber merchant.

Cost

Ash is a low-cost choice of hardwood, which will mean that the price point for a finished cutting board will be more affordable than most if a woodworker is seeking to sell their work at a market, shop, or online.

Disadvantages of Using Ash for a Cutting Board

It’s important to consider the drawbacks too, though.

Moisture

Ash is ring-porous, which means it will have a hard time not soaking up juices, water, or other wet substances. This can be combated with generous polishing and finishing to protect the wood. If moisture does get into the grain then there is a danger that the cutting board could warp or crack.

Left unaddressed, moisture could even cause mold to get into the heart of the cutting board. To avoid this, ash cutting boards will need more maintenance than other timber choices.

To be on the safe side, considering the open-pored grain of ash, unless a user is regularly maintaining their cutting board, then it should not be used with higher-risk foods such as raw meat.

Maintenance

As a high-maintenance board, it will pick up stains readily, especially from colorful fruits or vegetables. You can use vinegar or lemon juice to clean these, but the stain will be stubborn to remove if the board is left to dry out first.

3 Alternatives to Ash for Making a Cutting Board

If you would prefer to use something different than ash, here are some popular options.

Maple

Maple is another timber that is also widely available and affordable. It is a popular choice for cutting boards, not only because of its availability but also because it also falls within the Janka hardness rating required for this utility. It is known for being water-resistant too, so it works well in a kitchen setting.

Birch

Birch is another timber that is often overlooked by woodworkers considering which timber to use for cutting boards, but it is often used to make cutlery, as well as other household items. Its availability and cheapness compared to other hardwoods should definitely make birch a contender.

Acacia

Acacia is another hardwood that is sometimes thought to be far too hard for cutting boards, but it is another relatively inexpensive timber that is actually well suited for use in the kitchen. It is easy to work with and takes stains well, so the woodworker can have some fun with color and tone.

Summary

Ash is a great choice when you are on the hunt for affordable and good-looking timber that is easy to work with. Despite being a high-maintenance wood, it will keep its looks over time if cared for, and it will not blunt your knives faster than other hardwoods.

For the woodworker, ash is a material that will finish well and will glue easily, with an attractive grain that reflects the straightness of oak while being several tones brighter. It will please the chef too, with its durability and handsome good looks.