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Kitchen tools and cooking utensils may be essential items for every household, but they, unfortunately, can also be frustratingly difficult to store. But that does not any longer need to be the case. With so many well-engineered and functionally designed organizers on the market and DIY fixes permeating online blogs, homeowners have never had better solutions to kitchen storage problems than in the 21 st century.
If you are struggling to keep your cabinets from overflowing and your cutting boards from falling all over your kitchen, then keep reading from some fabulous storage solutions. In this guide, we are going to look at some of the best organizers on the market, as well as, some creative ideas to help you add extra storage in your kitchen. Once you finish this article, you will be well on your way to creating a safe, convenient, and clutter-free kitchen. Let’s begin.
Factors to Consider
Deciding what type of product you need to organize your cutting boards will depend on a few factors. These include:
The Type of Cutting Boards You Own
Since cutting boards can be made from many different materials and can be styled in many different ways, it is not possible to say that one way of organizing cutting boards will suit all types of cutting boards. For example, if your cutting boards do not have handles on them, they will either need to be organized in a shelf or countertop organizer or have holes drilled into them.
How Many Cutting Boards You Own
Those who own a lot of cutting boards will need to decide if they actually need every cutting board they own or if they want to give up a lot of space to store them.
The Space in Your Kitchen
Depending on how much space you have in your kitchen, you may be limited to hanging your cutting boards from a hook. Conversely, if you have plenty of space, you can fill an entire cabinet with your boards.
Recommended Products
With the above three factors in mind, we can now look at a few products on the market.
The Best Countertop Cutting Board Organizer – Simple Houseware Kitchen Cabinet Organizer
If you have decided that your cutting boards will fit on your countertop best, then consider purchasing this organizer. It is a sturdy option and its style will complement most kitchens.
Pros
- It comes as a set of two organizers
- It has rubber feet to discourage slipping and scratching on countertops
- It is made from alloy steel
- It has several thousand positive online customer reviews and ratings
- It is versatile and can be used to organize the inside of a cabinet
Cons
- It does not fold flat
- The slats are not adjustable
The Best Over the Door Cutting Board Organizer – 1-Tier over the Door Metal Organizer
If you only have a few cutting boards and limited space, an over-the-door organizer is definitely the way to go. These make great use of extra space without extra hassle.
Pros
- It is easy to install
- It hides the cutting boards behind a door
- It doesn’t take up extra space
- It is easy to access
- It is versatile, being useful for storing many different items and being placed on many different types of doors
Cons
- This only has one organizer in the set
- The basket hinges do not adjust
- The basket hinges are not wide
The Best Under the Cabinet Cutting Board Organizer – Lynk Slide Out Cutting Board Cabinet Organizer
If your kitchen has adequate space so that you are able to give up an entire cabinet for cutting board storage, then this under cabinet organizer is going to be a dream come true for you. It is convenient to use and will provide excellent and safe storage for all your cutting boards.
Pros
- It slides in and out for easy access
- It is made from chromed-steel
- It is easy to install
- It is easy to clean
Cons
- Requires at least 10” of height
- It is relatively expensive
The Best Wall Mounted Cutting Board Organizer – Door Mounted Cutting Board Holder
If you prefer to set your cutting boards in an organizer that can be mounted to a wall or the back of a door, then choose this holder. It will provide adequate storage without taking up a lot of excess space.
Pros
- Comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Easy to install
- Made from metal
- Designed to hold cutting boards
- Inexpensive
Cons
- None
Recommended DIY Solutions
Perhaps you do not care for conventional cutting board organizers but would prefer to design your own storage solutions. Well, if this is you, get your hammer and drill ready because we have gathered some really awesome DIY kitchen organization ideas.
Cutting Board Decorations
Instead of hiding and stuffing away your cutting boards, show them off. This is especially nice when your cutting boards are stylish and uniquely shaped. Give your kitchen walls and countertops a fashionable update with this very simple DIY idea. Here are some suggestions for completing this:
- Hang your cutting boards on a kitchen wall just as you would picture frames. Use eccentric knobs and hooks to design your cutting board feature wall.
- Arrange your cutting boards along the back of your countertop to show them off. This also makes them easy to find and grab when you need them.
Basking in Baskets
Rather than opting for an organizer that is strictly designed for cutting board organization, search local thrift shops, garage sales, or your own home for baskets. These baskets can be made from any material as long as they are large enough to hold your cutting boards and you have a place in your kitchen to store the basket.
Cutting Board Integration
Forget moving your cutting boards from place to place. Give your cutting board its own special spot in your home by integrating it into your cabinet space. This type of integration will mean that you transform your cutting board into a slide-out space, similar to a kitchen drawer. In fact, it is best to put this type of cutting board just above your kitchen drawers so that it is nearly level with your countertop.
Integration can be very convenient, and if you engineer it so that the cutting board slides completely out, you can easily transfer it to your sink to wash it up.
Bespoke Drawers & Cabinets
Another way to store your cutting boards, and other flat kitchen items, is to craft an entire sliding drawer for them. This means you will need a drawer that is tall enough to hold these items and still be able to comfortably slide the drawer back into the cabinet. In this type of drawer, you can install as few or as many slats as you prefer.
If you don’t need a drawer that comes out, then simply add slats to a cabinet.
FAQs
Answer: Dishwashers are convenient appliances that are perfectly suited to sanitize cutting boards that are used for slicing raw meat; however, it is important to note that not all cutting boards can be put into a dishwasher without causing damage. Most cutting boards that are made from acrylic, composite, or plastic are dishwasher safe, but most wooden cutting boards are not. It is best to check the manufacturer’s label before putting a cutting board into a dishwasher.
Answer: One way to prevent your wooden cutting board from becoming a hotbed of bacteria is to never use it for raw meat. This does not, however, imply that you don’t need to wash a cutting board after using it to slice salad and smoothie ingredients, because you should. Here’s how:
1- Scrub the board with either white vinegar or lemon juice and Kosher salt
2- Wash the board with a board cleaning scrubber, dish soap, and warm water as you would any dish
3- Do not allow the board to soak in the water
4- Allow the board to completely dry in an upright position
5- Use white vinegar to remove odors
6- Condition the cutting board with mineral oil and beeswax
If you absolutely must use a wooden cutting board for raw meat, then be sure to sanitize it by spraying it with a mixture of bleach and water. Take extra precautions by retaining one side of a board or one specific board for use with raw meat.
Answer: Yes, to do this will require that after you have cleaned the board using the regular method, you scrub it with kosher salt or baking soda and hot water. Scrub with half of a lemon to help with the stain-removing process.
Answer: It is not a good idea to put a wooden cutting board in an oven since the high temperatures will likely cause the glue holding the board together to melt.
Answer: If you plan to use a microwave to disinfect your cutting board, you might think again. Microwaves have had no determinable effect on bacteria growing on plastic cutting boards. While they have had some effect at ridding wooden cutting boards of bacteria, unfortunately, microwaving wooden boards can cause the wood to burst into flames. So, while, this may sound like an easy way to disinfect your cutting boards, it is actually impractical and slightly dangerous.
Answer: Yes, they can. This is why it is very important to clean all cutting boards directly after using them and clean them properly. If you notice mold growing on your cutting board, scrub it with half of a lemon and some salt. After this, clean and dry it as normal. Keep an eye on it and if this problem persists, you may want to get a new cutting board since you don’t want to risk getting sick from contaminated foods.
When Should Cutting Boards be Replaced?
There are several signs that signify that it is time to replace a cutting board. These include:
1- A board that is warped and moves around in an unsafe manner when used
2- A board that has deep grooves in its surface where food and liquids can get stuck and will grow excessive bacteria
Answer: Yes, but the ability to do this is limited by the type of cutting board you plan to recycle and what is available in your area. For instance, if your cutting board is made from HDPE, there is a chance that recycling centers will take these and be able to recycle them. Check with your local recycling center to confirm this.
Wooden cutting boards, on the other hand, offer plenty of creative reuse possibilities. These can be turned into chalkboards, clipboards, decorative art, and plenty of other things. If you need some inspiration, check out this article by Recycle Nation.
In Conclusion
Keeping cutting boards around the house is a necessity if you cook at home. These are kitchen tools that make food prep and service much easier by providing a safe surface for working with knives. Don’t let these essentials frustrate you or clutter up your cooking space, especially when organizing them is actually very easy.
Now that you have finished browsing this guide full of ideas, you should be aware of all the wonderful possibilities for the organization of your kitchen tools. Whether you prefer to do it yourself and design a bespoke shelf or purchase something that doesn’t even need a screwdriver to install, this guide has presented it all. For me, I love the idea of displaying my wooden cutting boards along a kitchen wall so that they have double the purpose – food prep help and chic wall décor.
If you find yourself in a quandary about any other issues with cutting boards or butcher blocks, be sure to check out all our resources and guides at Board n Block. We talk about specific types of cutting boards, different woods used in cutting boards, and offer great suggestions for where to purchase a new cutting board. Stay informed with us and keep your kitchen gear incomparable.
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