You can put a wooden cutting board in the oven, but this isn’t recommendable.
Though the more quality wooden cutting boards are made suitable for withstanding high heat, they’re not made to be heated.
With this in mind, to prevent damage, don’t expose the board to heat higher than 350 degrees F. It may burn, especially if the heating is prolonged.
Whenever you’re using a wooden board, you need to be cautious about the temperature of the oven or the microwave. Make sure it’s not for a prolonged period too.
Keep reading to learn more about your wooden cutting boards and using them around heat.
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Can You Put a Wooden Cutting Board in the Oven?
Although many people put a wooden cutting board in the oven, they’re not always careful about the dos and don’ts. And, more importantly, they’re not aware of the fact that wooden cutting boards aren’t designed to be used in the oven.
Most wooden cutting boards are said to be heat-resistant up to 350 degrees F. This temperature varies between different types of wood.
With this in mind, being careful about the temperature and the longevity of the exposure to extreme heat is important.
Most ovens tend to heat up to 485 degrees F (some go even higher) whereas a microwave oven can heat up to 212 degrees F.
Despite a certain degree of heat resistance, wooden boards can still sustain damage.
Excessive heat can cause changes in the wood’s moisture content. When the moisture evaporates from the wood, it transforms into steam.
Water expands wood and this may warp the board and make it softer. As a result, it may form cracks and indentations that become the ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
Manufacturers of wooden cutting boards and even home users use a heat-resistant coating to increase boards’ heat resistance. It’s applied with a brush onto the entire board and the wood becomes more heat-resistant after the coating dries entirely.
Can You Put a Wooden Cutting Board in the Microwave?
Wooden cutting boards aren’t designed to be used in the microwave. They can develop warps and cracks if misused or exposed to temperatures higher and longer than what they can withstand.
Any type of wood has a certain level of moisture inside.
In the microwave or in the oven during the heating, this moisture heats up, expands, and it evaporates from the wood. When it leaves the wood, the board will begin to burn from the inside out.
There’s some info suggesting that wooden cutting boards can be microwaved for short periods for disinfection.
However, others note that though this may be of aid in destroying bacteria, the heat can also damage the board and you may actually start a fire!
It’s important to note that there isn’t a wood dish or a wood utensil that is microwave-safe. In fact, you need to be extra cautious with any type of dish or utensil you use or plan to use in the microwave.
Always make sure it’s microwave-safe 100 percent.
Bamboo cutting boards are also unsuitable for the microwave. Their fibers can get damaged and cause warps.
Can You Serve Hot Food on Wooden Cutting Boards?
You can serve hot food on wooden cutting boards, but you need to know if the board is heat-resistant.
Some wooden cutting boards are great for serving warm and hot food and are said to withstand up to 350 degrees F without sustaining damage.
If you’re looking for a wooden cutting board to use with hot food, opt for hardwoods like teak, walnut, maple, oak, and mahogany. Their wood is denser and their heat tolerance is higher and they’re less flammable.
You can usually find these wooden cutting boards on the market labeled as heat-resistant.
Bamboo cutting boards can withstand p to 752 degrees F.
They’re able to withstand some heat like other types of wood, but they can get damaged by excessive heat and fire.
This causes them to become softer, warp, and crack. Prolonged exposure to heat may damage this board without a chance to restore it.
Despite their heat-resistant properties, bamboo and any type of wood shouldn’t be used instead of trivets. If the pan is too hot or if it’s standing on the board for too long, it may absorb the odor or develop charred marks.
For optimal safety, avoid putting hot trays and pans on your wooden boards, especially if you’re unsure about the type of wood and its properties. Sometimes, if the wood is more the heat can be too much and can damage the wood’s fiber.
Final Thoughts
Putting wooden cutting boards in the oven or microwave isn’t recommendable.
But, there are wooden cutting boards on the market labeled as heat-resistant, as well as heat-resistant coating options.
Hardwood cutting boards perform the best in combination with heat. This is due to their denser texture and lower flammability than some other types of wood.
Though they’re designed to be great at holding heat, they aren’t designed to be heated for prolonged periods of time.
Sometimes, they make great short-term trivets, but not for extremely hot pots and pans or as heating objects in the oven and microwave.
Inadequate exposure to heat can damage the wood permanently and even start a fire. Pay extra caution when handling them around heat.
