You may have noticed a foul odor coming from your plastic cutting board after cutting and chopping raw chicken. The smell can be enough to make you ill and keep you from using your kitchen. Even with how many times you scrub it, the odor still lingers. So what should you do? Read this article to know more!
Advantages Of Using Plastic Cutting Board
You might be wondering why you should use a plastic cutting board when so many people are using wooden ones. Well, this section is here to explain all the advantages of using a plastic cutting board!
🟪 Easy to use.
If you are looking for a cutting board that is easy to use, then plastic is the way to go. Plastic cutting boards are easy to use because they do not absorb liquid and food particles like wood. They also dry quickly, which means there’s no need to worry about bacteria developing in the crevices of your wooden board.
Plastic cutting boards can be easily stored since they’re lighter than wood and take up less space in your kitchen drawers or cabinets.
🟪 Economical.
The plastic cutting boards are economical, as compared to the wooden and bamboo cutting boards. A lot of people think that because they are made from plastic, they will be costly in terms of price. But this is not true at all because these cutting boards are actually cheaper than their counterparts. If you compare one wood cutting board with one plastic or even a bamboo one, it will be easy for you to see which one is less expensive than the other two. You can buy a lot of plastic cutting boards for the price of just one wood or bamboo one as well!
🟪 Lightweight.
Another advantage of using plastic cutting boards is that they are lightweight. As mentioned, lightweight cutting boards make it easy to handle and store, making them a good choice for all kitchens.
Plastic cutting boards are also much lighter than wood or bamboo cutting boards. The light weight of plastic allows users to lift their board with one hand. This makes it much easier to transfer the food from your counter to the stovetop or oven.
Plastic cutting boards are also lighter than some other materials such as marble or glass. This makes them move around easily in your kitchen without causing damage to your floors or walls. For example, if you have children in your household who like helping out in the kitchen sometimes but aren’t very strong yet, then having an easy-to-handle product will definitely come in handy!
🟪 Aesthetics.
Plastic cutting boards come in various sizes and colors so you can find one that best matches your kitchen décor! A great way to make sure that your kitchen looks good while still being functional is by getting something eye-catching (and useful) adorable design that matches your kitchen!
Disadvantages Of Using Plastic Cutting Board
Cutting boards are an essential tool in the kitchen, but they’re not created equal. The most common type of cutting board is plastic, which is cheaper and easier to clean than wood or glass. However, some people believe that you should use other boards instead. Here are three reasons why:
🟪 Can’t stand the test of time.
Plastic cutting boards are not made to last. They can crack or break, they can be slippery and they can easily scratch. If you are looking for a cutting board that will stand the test of time, it is better to go with a wooden or marble one.
🟪 Gets scratched easily.
One of the disadvantages of using a plastic cutting board is that it can get scratched easily. The scratches on the surface will harbor bacteria, which can cause cross-contamination when you prepare another food item on it. You should always wash your plastic cutting board after use to eliminate any harmful microorganisms that may be present on its surface.
🟪 Can cause cross-contamination.
Plastic cutting boards are not as sanitary as wooden cutting boards. This is because plastic is more porous than wood, which means that bacteria can get into the surface of the board and then onto your food. This is called cross-contamination, and it can be dangerous to anyone who eats whatever you’ve been cutting on that board: it’s like a dirty sponge!
While there’s nothing wrong with using a plastic chopping board for prepping raw meat or vegetables, it’s not advisable using one when preparing other foods. If you’re going to use a plastic chopping board for something else (say, chicken), make sure that you wash it thoroughly after each use (and preferably before) so no remnants of raw meat remain on its surface.
🟪 Odor easily sticks to the board
This is one of the greatest disadvantages of plastic cutting boards. If you try to cut raw chicken on a plastic cutting board, you’ll notice that no matter how hard you scrub your board, the odor stays well. So if you want some tips on how to remove the odor, check the next section.
How To Clean Plastic Cutting Board After Raw Chicken
Cutting boards come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. They can be made from wood, plastic, or even glass. But no matter what material you have for your cutting board, one thing that is certain is that after cutting raw chicken on it, you need to clean it. This will help prevent bacteria in the kitchen from spreading around your home and also make sure that future uses of the board are sanitary as well. Here’s what you should do:
Step 1: Wash the cutting board by hand.
Wash the cutting board by hand with hot water and dish soap. If it’s too big to fit in your sink or tub, you can use a dishwasher, but make sure to put it on the top rack and use detergent instead of soap.
Step 2: Use hot water and soap.
Using a dish brush, lather the board with dish soap, then scrub it with hot water. This helps remove bacteria from your cutting board (and also loosens any grease or fat from raw chicken). If your plastic cutting board has deep crevices where food could get stuck, use a sponge to scrub them clean.
Rinse well under running water until no bubbles appear when you run your thumb across the surface of the plastic cutting board (this indicates that all soap has been rinsed away).
Step 3: Sanitize the board with vinegar or bleach.
After taking the chicken off, you’ll need to sanitize your board. You can do this by pouring half a cup of vinegar or bleach on the cutting board, letting it sit for a minute, and then rinsing it out with hot water. Then rinse well and dry with a paper towel.
Step 4: Deodorize.
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can be used to clean and disinfect your cutting board. It’s also non-toxic, inexpensive, and widely available at grocery stores and other retail outlets. If you haven’t already, now is the time to pick up a box or two of baking soda so you have it on hand when the next time comes around.
Baking soda works because it neutralizes odors and kills bacteria when mixed with water in equal parts (1 part baking soda, 1 part water). You can use this solution as an all-purpose cleaner for any room in your house, but perhaps its most useful application is in removing odors from raw chicken residue on plastic cutting boards.
Tips To Prevent Odor Sticking On Plastic Cutting Board
If you’ve ever noticed that your plastic cutting board has an unpleasant odor, it’s likely because bacteria from meat juices are stuck to the surface. But it’s not difficult to prevent this from happening in the first place! Here are some tips for preventing odors on your cutting boards:
Tip 1: Wash and dry your plastic cutting board properly.
As with any kitchen utensil, it’s important to wash and dry your plastic cutting board properly to ensure that you’re not transferring bacteria from one food to another. Use soap and water when cleaning your plastic cutting board, but avoid abrasive cleaners.
Don’t put it in the dishwasher either! This will cause unnecessary wear on its surface. Finally, make sure that you dry off all the water after washing it so that mold doesn’t grow underneath (or on top of) the board!
Tip 2: Keep the plastic cutting board away from other appliances.
Your plastic cutting board is a great place to prepare food, but it’s important to keep it away from other appliances. For example, don’t leave your plastic cutting board on top of the stove or dishwasher. These surfaces are exposed to dangerous chemicals and heat. This can cause an odor to stick to your plastic cutting board after just one use!
Tip 3: Use lemon juice to fight the odor.
The next time you’re using your plastic cutting board, add a few drops of lemon juice to the surface. The acidity of the lemon juice will help dissolve any stains and prevent them from sticking to the surface. The lemon juice also acts as a natural anti-bacterial agent, so it will kill any bacteria that are growing on your cutting board too!
Use a clean rag or sponge to wipe down your cutting board after each use (or every few uses). Then let it dry completely before putting it away. Make sure you don’t put it in direct sunlight for extended periods of time, which can cause discoloration over time.
Tip 4: Lay the plastic cutting board flat.
To prevent odor from sticking on your plastic cutting board, it is important that you lay it flat and leave it there. If you are not using the plastic cutting board, keep it flat and set it aside so that air can flow between both sides of the board. This will allow for even drying and prevent odor from building up in any one area.
If you are currently using your plastic cutting board to chop vegetables or meat, simply lay it flat after washing so that both sides can dry evenly.
Tip 5: Add essential oil.
To keep your board smelling fresh, try adding a few drops of the essential oil to a cotton ball and placing it in a small bowl. Place the bowl near your cutting board so that it gets plenty of airflows. Replace the cotton ball once or twice per week as needed. The essential oil will help to keep odors at bay!
Bonus: What Food Can You Cut On Plastic Cutting Board?
You can cut most foods on a plastic cutting board. However, there are some foods that should be avoided because they may be more likely to damage the board or harbor bacteria. For example, you should not use a plastic cutting board for food that has a high acid content, such as tomatoes or citrus fruits.
You should also avoid cutting raw meat on a plastic cutting board. This is because the meat will leave behind juices and blood which could become trapped in the pores of the board and cause it to become discolored or stain easily if left untreated by cleaning products designed specifically for this purpose.
It’s important to remember that not all plastics are created equal. While some plastics are eco-friendly and recyclable, others aren’t as environmentally friendly and contain toxins that can leach into your food while it’s being cut.
Final Words
For your kitchen to be clean and organized, you need a cutting board you can rely on. The thin plastic material allows for easy cleaning to prevent absorption of any bad odors from chopping or cutting any raw meat, like chicken.
Hopefully, this article has helped those of you who are curious about how to remove that irritating chicken odor coming from your plastic cutting board. And if you are looking for ways to remove the onion smell, read our next article by clicking here!