bamboo cutting boards

[simplegirl]

I've gotten a bamboo cutting board. Now I'm hoping someone can help me or give me tips. It's smelly. I'm assuming it's just the way bamboo smells, but it's to the point where I haven't used it for cutting food yet as I'm afraid it will affect the taste. I've washed it thoroughly with soap and water.

Is there anything else I should do? Is it normal? I know freezing an item can sometimes get rid of unpleasant smells, but I wanted to know if there's something I should do before I try that.

 

[fire_breeze]

I've gotten a bamboo cutting board. Now I'm hoping someone can help me or give me tips. It's smelly. I'm assuming it's just the way bamboo smells, but it's to the point where I haven't used it for cutting food yet as I'm afraid it will affect the taste. I've washed it thoroughly with soap and water.

Is there anything else I should do? Is it normal? I know freezing an item can sometimes get rid of unpleasant smells, but I wanted to know if there's something I should do before I try that.

New bamboo cutting boards should not smell, but sometimes it does absorb the chemical or warehouse smells if it's been sitting on the shelf for a while. Did you call the manufacturer to see if this is normal?

You can try to put lemon juice on it and let it stand for a few minutes, rinse and let it air dry completely. Some people would sprinkle coarse salt, rub it with lemon juice and then do the same above.

Also, before chopping meat on it, I usually rub it with oil.

 

[simplegirl]

It was well wrapped and cellphaned in the store. I had no idea if there was a natural odor to bamboo or not. Good to know. I threw the wrapping away, so I'm not sure I can find the manufacturer, but I'll give it another good scrubbing and try the lemon. Thanks!

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I found nothing about smells...but:

1. Prime them with mineral oil, and refresh it every month or so. (Wipe with oil, let sit for a while, perhaps 15-20 minutes, wipe off).
2. Wash only with mild soap, and rinse and dry immediately. Don't put in a dishwasher.
3. If using for raw meat, you can sanitize with a very dilute bleach solution (about a teaspoon of liquid bleach per quart of water, 5 mL per liter). Rinse thoroughly afterwards.

Do not put in Dishwasher.

 

[kikmosa]

If you still have the receipt I would take it back. Bamboo should not have an odor. Better safe then sorry.

 

[silverwhisper]

simplegirl, what did you wind up doing?

ed

 

[simplegirl]

I haven't done anything yet. Gave the board another good scrubbing. Next grocery run I'm going to buy some lemons to give it a rub with that, then I'll try freezing. If I'm still having issues, they'll go in the trash. They were on after Christmas clearance at a store, so they were really inexpensive. If they had cost a mint, I would return them, but since I can't find the receipt I'm not worried about it. I get the feeling they were produced cheaply and that's probably the issue. I'll post an update as soon as I haul my arse to tackle them again.

 

[midwestyankee]

I haven't done anything yet. Gave the board another good scrubbing. Next grocery run I'm going to buy some lemons to give it a rub with that, then I'll try freezing. If I'm still having issues, they'll go in the trash. They were on after Christmas clearance at a store, so they were really inexpensive. If they had cost a mint, I would return them, but since I can't find the receipt I'm not worried about it. I get the feeling they were produced cheaply and that's probably the issue. I'll post an update as soon as I haul my arse to tackle them again.

Before you give up on your new cutting boards, consider giving them a good sanding. If you - or perhaps a friend - have a random orbital sander, you could take off perhaps 1/32" in five minutes and that may well eliminate any source of odor that's trapped in the top layers of wood cells. You can get the same results sanding by hand, but it will take longer. Use 150 grit paper. Then wipe them down with mineral oil, let it soak in for 5 minutes, and then rub down the surfaces with a dry cloth until no more oil transfers to the cloth.

 

[simplegirl]

thanks, I never thought of sanding them!